“It appears to be the affect of some sort of poison, Sire,” the first announced, head and upper body bowed.

Startled, shocked – rather – , Arislan gripped tightly to the edge of his armrests and found himself rising up with wide eyes and a fast-paced heart. “What…?” he wondered.

“Unfortunately, Sire, the beginning design is hard to cure and with some of the other mixtures… it’s highly dangerous. Possibly there is only one antidote and any other attempts to cure it could merely have a worse effect than the poison working by itself.”

Pale and sick with dread, Arislan questioned, “Is there nothing to do? Wait, before answering, I must send for someone…” He stood, keeping his trembling down to a minimum as he headed towards the doors of his rooms and found a messenger nearby to call for Daryoon. Once that was done, he turned back and requested for the healers to continue.

>>

Daryoon was tracked down and sent to Arislan’s quarters. The earlier healer and another were standing grimly before the king as he stood in a thinking position. Sensing the heavy mood in the air, he approached the king cautiously and bowed in greeting.

“Majesty?” he questioned.

“Daryoon, I’m glad you arrived quickly! They,” he referred to the healers, “have informed me that Narsus has somehow been poisoned and that only one antidote could work! Which means they can’t try anything else, less more damage is done!”

Coming over his initial shock, Daryoon noted the beginning note of panic in Arislan’s voice and hurriedly stepped in to calm the younger man down; it would be enough of a distraction for himself so he would not have to focus on what he was feeling. “Now, now, my King… surely there is something to be done?” He felt his own eyes a bit widened and his heart racing with worry, fear, over the possibility that there was nothing to be done. ‘I have to stop these emotions.’

“To find the antidote would mean to find the ones who poisoned Lord Narsus first hand,” the earlier healer spoke. “I have little doubt that it would be anyone else than the Players previously occupants of this castle.”

Considering that, Arislan asked, “Could I not send someone to find them? They must know and tell us how to cure him!”

The healer didn’t look too optimistic. “The lands are vast, your Majesty… Where might they have gone? Although I will admit that seems the only way to find a cure.”

The last statement was enough for Arislan and he quickly turned to Daryoon with pleading eyes. “I beg of you, please go to help Narsus by tracking down these villains!”

That very same thought had already entered his mind… but… “My King, what should happen if someone tried the same act on you while I was away?”

Obviously frustrated, Arislan glared boldly up at his friend and general, “In case you have forgotten, I am almost constantly suffocated by guards all about. You’re the one best suited for this task! Daryoon, isn’t he your friend? Don’t you care at all about him? Don’t be heartless now, please help!” The look pouring itself from pale eyes, still somehow mostly innocent after many hard years, Daryoon briefly nodded, complying. It was basically an order, he reassured himself. “That’s wonderful! I shall send for one other to go along with you. Won’t you be off by morning?”

“If you so wish it, your Highness. Pardon, but how shall Narsus be informed?”

Immediately Arislan turned to the healers. “Please report to Lord Narsus and relay the information you have just given to me. Daryoon, later it would be helpful if you also stop by and let him know what the plans are for finding an antidote.”

“Of course.”

>>

As could have been expected, Narsus was not very happy with being ordered to stay in bed until Daryoon and his yet-to-be-determined companion arrived back with the antidote. Narsus might be a strategist, but he was also a man of action and didn’t take well to the idea of having someone else ride off to take care of him when, in his opinion, he could do just as well. The healers didn’t suffer much from his annoyance – for amazingly he wasn’t all too terribly disturbed or shocked about the poison news – but Daryoon certainly had his ear argued off.

With a smirk, Narsus tugged his cloak over him better and thought, ‘No, he isn’t too skilled with words.’ Daryoon had had to leave the room before he admitted defeat in the verbal argument. Now, Narsus was about to break his orders – from the king himself – and take hold with his own hand on his recovery.

Easily he took down the halls on silent feet with saddlebags under his arms. He knew, thanks to a later report from Daryoon, that it had been heard where the Players had been headed next. It would be a place to start, even if they were no longer in the next town.

Within the early morning the stables were quiet and humans were scarce to be seen. Now, all he had to do was wait from a good vantage point. Finding a spot, Narsus hauled himself up behind a bracing beam and pressed against it to support his weight as he watched along the stalls for early-morning riders to come in. He figured well enough that the rider accompanying Daryoon would look as if he was set for a long journey – and that would likely be the most differentiating feature of him.

‘For one thing, this is dealing with me – I’m the one poisoned. Another, it would do some good to be around Daryoon again… there’s some things yet to clear up. And last, I’m not about to sit around here doing nothing but rest.’ His eyes flickered to a well-built man who walked in with heavy saddlebags and traveling clothes. ‘Has to be him.’

Silent as a cat, Narsus slipped to the floor of the stable – leaving his saddlebags back within his hiding place – and stalked along the shadows to the man as he prepared his horse. With a sudden leap, Narsus struck out at the man’s head with a fisted hand and managed to knock the man against the door before letting him loose consciousness.

As the horse skidded aside in surprise, he smirked. “Not so bad, now was it?” He put the body in the corner of the stall, making sure it wasn’t too hidden so that he wouldn’t be forgotten, but also wouldn’t be seen immediately. And next he went to retrieve his saddlebags before finishing setting up the horse and mounting. Once in the saddle, he pulled the hood over his face and made sure his braided hair was all tucked away.

Praying to the goddess that he pull this off, Narsus urged the horse out of the stables and into the open air. He reached the main gate, finding Daryoon waiting there. No words were exchanged, luckily, and they rode on with Daryoon in the lead.

With an amused smile behind the shadowed hood, Narsus recalled when Daryoon had a knack for knowing when things weren’t quite in place… ‘He seems to have lost that ability. This is to my luck, however, and hopefully that will hold out long enough.’

>>

They had left the city quite a while back and were surrounded by sporadic groups of trees. Past mid-day they stopped for lunch, settling beside a pool of water where their horses could drink and where they would have shade from nearby trees. Knowing the time had come for his ‘un-hooding’, Narsus calmly slipped off his cloak and went about picking out his meal.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” was the opening question once Daryoon realized it really was Narsus before him and not some figment of his imagination.

“Well isn’t that a nice greeting. What a kind friend. Did you really believe I’d stay behind?” His eyes took on a challenging look. “Look, don’t even consider taking me back or trying to talk me into going back. This is my… issue, my problem, and I ought to be a part of resolving it, don’t you think so? I don’t feel like having rescuers, nor being thankful to a stranger and a friend. No, I’d rather have a part in this. I’m not, however, too proud to think I can do this myself. It would be helpful if you’d still stay along.”

Daryoon narrowed his eyes at the other. “You were under strict orders to stay inside the castle and to let me handle this. You’re going back, now.” When Narsus answered him with a glare, Daryoon rose and approached the other. Before either truly knew what was going on, he had pulled Narsus up and held the pale form against him. “Narsus, you’re going back.”

Glaring at the slightly taller man, Narsus ignored their proximity to one another and tried breaking his captured position with no luck. “I’m going along. Damnit Daryoon, in all truth I should be the only one going on this!”

“You’d never handle it with someone, let alone on your own. If you won’t go back by yourself, I’ll…” With a swift movement Narsus was suddenly off his feet and gripping onto Daryoon’s shoulders in surprise as the general supported him behind his knees and upper back. “Do I need to carry you back?”

Regaining his senses amazingly quickly, Narsus began pounding on Daryoon’s shoulders in frustration. “Let me down! Why the hell won’t you listen to me?”

“Why not listen to common sense?” was the reply as Daryoon worked on trapping the other’s arms. When he finally succeeded, Narsus’ left arm was trapped between their bodies and the other was caught in one of Daryoon’s hands. Obviously furious, the eyes paled by sickness burned angrily at the blue gaze.

As Narsus fumed silently with loose strands of hair falling into his eyes, Daryoon ran a careful gaze over him subconsciously. The court advisor wore plain, tan tunic and pants with a belt adorned with a dagger and pouch. His skin was incredibly pale, still, and his eyes faded… Only then did he realize that tiny tremors ran through the other’s body once in a while. His arms were cold.

Somehow the sun still caught in his hair just right and he managed to look breath taking. Angry with himself for noticing, Daryoon tightened his grip and glared at the dimmed eyes as if the whole thing was Narsus’ fault. And, in his eyes, it was.

Wincing at the enforced grip, Narsus met the heavy glare with determined eyes. He wasn’t about to give up on this, he’d gotten this far already and he was not about to turn back. If Daryoon really was set on getting him back, Narsus would have to go to some extremes to get out of such a situation. However he might find a different way to get exactly what he wanted.

With some effort, Narsus managed to wriggle out of Daryoon’s grasp and he landed rather un-gracefully on his backside. Snorting softly with discomfort and annoyance, he picked himself up and dodged out of the way as Daryoon reached out to catch his arm.

“I’m not up for tag, Narsus. Would you cooperate for once?”

Narsus’ hair was almost completely out of the braid he’d put it in earlier and wisps of it trailed in front of his face, annoying him. Facing off against Daryoon, Narsus tried working out a plan that he could use. Daryoon moved again and caught Narsus by the wrist and twisted him back so that the strategist was pinned with his arms behind his back and facing away from the taller man. He struggled but got nowhere in his weakening state. Upset that he couldn’t get out of the hold, Narsus at least tried to hide how weak he was feeling, knees trembling slightly.

“You’re going back, now, whether you like it or not,” Daryoon finally said, trying to gauge the other’s reactions by watching his shoulders.

Instead of tensing, Narsus just sighed and leaned back, face lax as he rested his head on Daryoon’s shoulder and looked at him. “Would you stop telling me what to do and let me decide? I’m not a little boy.”

Not at all sure how to react with the beauty’s head resting against him, Daryoon froze and waited. His eyes had widened slightly in surprise and once again his grip tightened without conscious decision. Narsus hid the wince and so the other didn’t even notice.

“You don’t know the effects of that poison. You should just stay back.”

“Oh for goddess sake, Daryoon,” Narsus returned, face taking on an angry expression, “has it occurred to you yet that leaving me behind while you’re off to find these Players that by the time you return I might already be dead?”

It struck him straight in the chest, for some reason, and Daryoon pushed Narsus away in a sudden move that startled the other. “Damnit don’t start playing around with me,” he snapped.

Erasing the surprised look from his face, Narsus replied, “It’s just logic, if you think on it. Shall I continue with what other reasons I should go along or will that be enough for you?”

Just as Daryoon opened his mouth in response, they heard the sound of horse hooves and both turned to find Narsus’ mount dashing off in a gallop. “Damn horse,” Narsus muttered under his breath, “should have risked a better mount.”

“Did you take off the saddlebags?” Daryoon questioned coolly, moving towards his own horse, looking undisturbed.

“Yes.” To prove so, Narsus motioned towards a tree where his things rested. Daryoon nodded once before mounting and riding nearby.

Without looking he said, “Strap on the bags and mount up.”

Sighing, Narsus did so, all the while planning how he could direct the horse away from the castle and instead towards the next town where the Players had headed.

Once he mounted up, Narsus found himself having to wrap his arms about the man in front of him. He noted how the added saddlebags made less room for him and he ended up being quite pressed against Daryoon. Shifting uncomfortably, he waited for the horse to start moving. It seemed to take Daryoon a while but he finally directed the mount forward and out onto the road.

However, instead of going back towards the palace, the horse headed in their original direction. Surprised, Narsus tried to glance at Daryoon’s face. When he couldn’t manage that, he questioned aloud, “You’re taking me. Why?”

“Haven’t you already given that answer?” was the flat reply.

‘And end discussion…’ Narsus thought dimly. With a grim look he settled back. For someone who just got his way he wasn’t very happy. As they rode, his mind grew a bit foggy and he felt dizzy – for they never did finish lunch. Slowly he gave way to his body’s wishes and he let himself lean forward, resting against Daryoon’s back and easing into sleep.

>>

As evening fell, Daryoon searched for a place to camp for the night. He needed to get off the horse and away from the man that was leaning heavily against his back. Grinding his teeth together, he tried not to think of Narsus sitting behind him. ‘Damn. Why did he bring up such a point? He should be back at the palace resting.’

The horse snorted as he directed it off the road and towards a grove a trees not too far off. He steadied the horse and carefully demounted while doing his best to keep Narsus upright. Luckily, with his movement Narsus opened his eyes, waking. Silently he waited for Daryoon to finish getting down before he followed suit.

“We’re camping here for the night?” Narsus questioned, studying their surroundings as he finished fully waking.

“Need something more?” Daryoon retorted, tying the horse nearby and taking off the saddle and bags.

Narsus watched him with no extra comments, noting that Daryoon wasn’t happy with the situation. With a soft sigh, he sunk down to the ground and leaned against a tree to continue his rest. He was just tired, he assured himself, and not at all weak… He just needed some rest before dealing with his dark-haired friend.

Finally calming his shaking nerves, Daryoon stopped his jerking movements and watched the sleeping figure leaning against a tree. The nobleman was more affected than he would like to admit… ‘Just how much time does he have?’ his mind asked softly. How long did they have to try and obtain the antidote? And if the antidote didn’t work…? He discarded the thought, refusing it to be an option.

One way or another they would get what they were after. Daryoon just loathed how the other was able to have such a hold over him. In the weak state he was in, Narsus needed to be watched carefully and helped. He was the only one around to be trusted and now he took that job on as his duty.

Unconsciously he approached the sleeping nobleman with a sleeping roll in hand. With a shaky exhale of breath, Daryoon removed Narsus’ cloak and laid it on the ground before easing the man onto it. Following, he placed the blanket over him. For long moments he just balanced in a crouch and watched Narsus’ pale face. He seemed to be sleeping well enough, although his lips moved slightly, as if speaking, but no sounds were passing through. Deciding not to worry over it, Daryoon stood and went to set up his own blanket.

>>

They rode into town the next morning and caused quite a few stares to be directed their way. Daryoon dismounted at the first inn they came across, trying to avoid being affected by the murmurings around them. Narsus managed to ease himself to the ground carefully and let his gaze wander, picking up all the looks resting on them. Softly he sighed.

If he’d thought on it more, he would have realized that it would seem quite odd to have two men come riding in on a single horse. ‘Nor was it a help,’ he thought, ‘that I had to hold onto him for some balance.’ Everything was moving so fast, he wasn’t very confident that they would be able to find the antidote… in time.

Wincing with that thought, he re-focused and followed Daryoon into the inn’s entrance. Inside Daryoon was questioning the desk manager, asking about any group of Players that had recently passed through.

“Can’t quite recall when they arrived,” the man was answering, “but I believe they left after a few days’ stay. Perhaps eleven days past?”

“Do you have any idea where they might have been heading next? Did they mention anything?” Narsus spoke, eyeing the man carefully.

He stopped to think for a bit, then directed them onto a town towards the northeast of the current town’s gates. After thanking the man for the information, Daryoon inquired about purchasing another horse, mentioning their other one had run away.

For a brief moment the clerk did a double-take of the two men before him. Easily he motioned them towards the stables, mentioning that someone out there could help.

Not having missed the glance, Narsus studied the man a bit longer before heading out the way they were directed. Something was a bit… off… He shrugged the thought away. They had to be moving on as soon as possible to catch up with the Player group. Also he had the feeling that Daryoon wasn’t likely to stop very often that day. He was impatient, almost fidgety; very uncharacteristic with the ‘fidgety’ part.

A stable hand offered them a look at a plain mare who seemed well-enough. Daryoon ran a check over her to make sure everything was in order, and then nodded and paid. The stable hand saddled the mount and brought her to where Daryoon’s horse had just been brought out. Narsus fixed his saddlebags to his new mount and pulled himself off.

“Are you ready?”

“Certainly,” Narsus replied easily. He urged the mare to follow Daryoon out of the town and back onto the road.

As they had that morning, they rode in silence. All the more cause to build up tension and give time to brood.

It was easy enough to slip into memories that had been jarred to the front of his mind, with the smell of the air and the atmosphere surrounding them. Momentarily Narsus shut his eyes, breathing softly. He couldn’t understand why the past had to return to him now… Now when he doubted he could spare the time for fixing things right. The memories were bittersweet in the way that with their peacefulness and ideal times proved painful for what now was offered.

/// \\\

They were lying beneath the shade of trees and surrounded by groups of bushes, easily hiding them in a quiet place. Lifting his head from the grass, he looked towards the older boy that was resting on his stomach. Smiling softly, he reached a hand down to touch his closet friend’s shoulder, causing sapphire eyes to focus on his face.

“Mmm?”

Smiling softly, he replied, “Oh nothing. I wasn’t sure if you’d dozed off.”

“Oh. No, just resting here… I don’t want to think about going back to lessons yet.”

He groaned. “That’s right… lessons.” Judging by the shadows about them they did still have a good amount of time. And he sure as hell wanted to make sure that the both of them enjoyed their break as best they could.

A small laugh came from the figure lying perpendicular to him. “Not very enthusiastic for someone who likes to learn, so much.”

“Eh, today is too… beautiful. No, that’s not the word.” He frowned. Mentally he made a not to look through for some more vocabulary words when he got the chance. He hated to be without something to say.

“Again your words fail you? Dear Narsus, I thought you were such an expert!”

“Shut your mouth,” he muttered.

The weight on his stomach eased as the older boy pushed himself onto his elbows and watched Narsus’ face. “It’s pleasantly warm out, the air smells fresh, it’s amazingly peaceful, and we’ve actually managed to be alone?”

Glaring at the other, Narsus muttered, “Little show off… took that from me.”

“Look who’s calling who ‘little,’” he returned, grinning. “Besides, I managed to find the correct phrasing when you couldn’t find anything.”

Moving swiftly, Narsus caught the older boy in a tight grasp and rolled him over on the ground until he sat on top of the other smirking down. “Don’t get too proud of yourself, now.”

It was hard for the other not to start laughing and he fought with holding back a smile. “Don’t you mean: ‘don’t get too cocky?’ And, is that so?” His eyebrows rose and he blinked at the other innocently.

Thrown off with the question, Narsus started laughing, head tipping back as the musical sound passing through his lips. In his distraction, he was flipped over and found himself on the ground this time. A playful glint entering his eyes, he inquired, “Am I going to have to humiliate you again? You know I’ll win.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Mmm-hmm. Don’t deny it.”

“What? Hey!” Their reverses were, once again, switched. Narsus laughed, gazing down into the offended eyes.

“I did warn you,” he murmured, giving into the temptation and bending down to capture the other’s lips a few moments before their wrestling began again.

/// \\\

“Narsus. Would you pay attention? Narsus, we should let the horses rest here.”

Bringing his head up, Narsus came out of his thoughts and studied the dark-haired man before him. Daryoon had dismounted, already leading his horse towards a stream of water a ways off their path. Nodding numbly, Narsus followed suit, sliding off his mount and leading her towards the water. He dug out a skin of water and refilled it with the fresh water.

As soon as the horses were rested well enough they once again set along their path towards the next village. It wasn’t the one that the Players had been headed to, but it would be good to rest indoors and on the comfort of any sort of mattress an inn had to offer.

“Daryoon…” Narsus began, startling even himself. His companion glanced back, being a little ways ahead.

“What is it?”

For a moment he almost continued, then he shook his head. “Nothing, pardon me. My mind’s lost in the past,” he murmured softly. Looking away, he missed the considering look on Daryoon’s face.

| End Chapter Two|

*** *** *** Until Next time… TBC *** *** ***

WAHHHHHH!!!! Webmistresses NOTE: She left for Florida on Vacation after this, leaving me with three clifthangers!!!!