Disclaimer: Characters etc belong to various and sundry Japanese authors/publishers/etc… not me.

Shounen-ai? Always shounen-ai.

It was getting colder on the low-lying plains that stretched towards the nearing capital of Ekubatana. The returning army, weary from battle and wrapped in heavy cloaks against the chill trudged slowly closer, every step drawing them nearer to home and the comfort of peaceful sleep. At the head of the column of men and camp-followers the grizzled figure of the King could be made out, head bowed over the mane of his steed, swathed in his royal furs. Along the ranks the complaint of the growing cold echoed.

Beside King Andragoras, though a little behind him the Grand Shogun Vanphraze turned in his saddle to sweep a searching gaze over the troops. Finding what he was looking for, Vanphraze wondered exactly how his nephew had managed to acquire the company of the Royal Sectary/Strategist. At least it probably meant that Lord Narsus would stop straggling behind and glaring at nothing in particular. The Grand Shogun didn’t know what that was about but he did know there would be hell to pay if they somehow lost Narsus. Not that the King necessarily liked him, not that Andragoras really seemed to like anyone these days, but the strategist was useful. And as long as that usefulness remained…

Vamphraze turned his attention back to the horizon, where the capital loomed. When was it that his best and dearest friend had become this paranoid wreck? A man jumping at shadows, nothing more that a tyrant. Vanphraze didn’t know, couldn’t place an exact moment but it had all begun not long after Osirus’ death… if only he had survived.

Daryoon saw his uncle glance in his direction before turning away. Despite the fact that they were a victorious army returning Daryoon couldn’t help wondering about the bleakness in that gaze. While he had to admit that his faith in the King’s ability to lead was tenuous at best, his uncle had always been completely devoted to Andragoras. Daryoon frowned. Luckily the scarf wound around the lower part of his face hid his expression from most eyes.

Riding beside Daryoon, Narsus pursed his lips to keep his smile from betraying him. He didn’t bother with the excessive furs that the bulk of the army sheltered in. The cold wind seemed only a slight presence in comparison to the memory of the heavy snowfall on the slopes of Mount Devermant. The weather on the plains could barely be considered suitable for the winter as far as Narsus was concerned. A couple of cold gusts and infrequent rain certainly wasn’t as inhospitable as the region where he had been born. It was at times like that that Narsus missed the colder climate. Not that the temperature hadn’t dropped in it’s own way.

The glazed look in the King’s eyes, accompanied by the despair that the Grand Shogun fought to keep from surfacing confirmed all that Narsus had already suspected. It wouldn’t be long until Pulsar’s King finally proved himself unfit to rule. He’d known already, had seen all the evidence that everyone else was so keen to ignore. Any suggestion of the King’s instability had been cited as treason, so Narsus kept silent, kept his knowledge to himself, away from the already suspicious nobles. He wouldn’t be pleased if the reign of Andragoras came to such an ignominious end but then neither would he be surprised and as always, there was a certain amount of satisfaction in begin right.

Daryoon turned his head slightly to get a clearer view of the man riding beside him. Narsus was smiling, about what he didn’t know and judging by the expression Daryoon wasn’t sure he actually wanted to know. It was the type of smile that Daryoon was beginning to get used to but that still didn’t mean that he had to like it.

Narsus had several types of smile in his repertoire or so Daryoon had seen, and he should know, he’d been watching an awful lot lately. The one that graced the strategist’s face right now was a clear warning to anyone who could recognize the signs. In equal parts cold and triumphant. "I told you so", as clear as the sharp light that sliced through the clouds overhead, or the hopelessness etched on his uncle’s face.

Of course, Narsus was right about the King’s increasing instability and the fact that there was far more scheming going on in the ranks that was really seemly for soldiers but it didn’t mean that he had any right to gloat about it. Daryoon’s frown deepened as he considered the other implications of Narsus’ apparent satisfaction. It wouldn’t help him if he were seen to be enjoying being able to predict the kingdom’s apparent downfall. Daryoon considered pointing that out but was saved the trouble as Narsus’ faint smile resolved itself into a blank, mask-like expression once more.

Narsus carefully slid his gaze sideways without turning, observing the warrior discreetly. Daryoon had been watching him, again, just as he had been doing since… The strategist couldn’t remember when he had first noticed; not that it was a bother. Daryoon watching him didn’t make him feel uncomfortable, in fact it was quite reassuring, comforting in a strange way. Perhaps in the future it would mean more than that. Narsus certainly hoped it would.

The low plains that surrounded the city of Ekubatana, while chill, caused little delay for the army snaking its way back. The soldiers silently rejoicing at the speed at which they could return home…

A sentiment that would be echoed years later when a similar army would move across the planes for the same reason.

At the head of the army a young Prince was returning to be crowned King.

Turning slightly in his saddle to glance at the troops and to surreptitiously look for Narsus, Daryoon frowned when he spied the strategist immobile, looking off towards the northern horizon. Then Narsus turned away from whatever sight had captivated him, that familiar, almost gloating smile hovering about his lips. "I told you so", right there as clear as the eye could see. Daryoon frowned and the smile shifted, became lighter and much more gentle. He wondered why for a moment, considered that it might be something to do with the irony of the situation, the way things had been the last time they’d returned to Ekubatana like this, something to do with them…

No such luck though and Daryoon turned his gaze upwards, to observe the first snowfall on the planes for a very long time.

I should be baking cookies for tomorrow instead of writing a fic for Christmas Day. Oh, well…

Narsus

24/12/02