Neriam

This story is a work of fiction. You all know the drill of copyright, etc.

Alsuin heard shouting coming from outside Lord Nikides' manor as he continued his attempts to reconstruct that amazing melody he'd heard some few nights before. Annoyed, he returned to his fingering. Suddenly, the realization of what he was hearing sunk in. If he could hear that many people making that much noise from deep inside the manor, which had its own walled grounds around it, then there must be an awful lot of noise going on in the first place.

He leapt to his feet and rushed to the great hall, where a large bay window opened to see the main gate of the grounds. The intricate, wrought iron gates rattled before shattering inward, ripped off their stone braces with traces of crackling white light playing along the surface. Neriam strode through the now-gaping hole and a hushed crowd gathered at the gateway to watch him. Alsuin rushed out to meet his friend. "Neriam! Amarah's tits, what are you doing? What's going on?"

Neriam's tear-filled eyes stared at his friend. "He's dead, Alsuin," he wailed. "They killed Opius!"

"Who? Who's they?"

"I don't know! Just some men!"

"I'll get the watch," he said as they moved into the manor house.

Neriam's face went hard. "No need. I got the whoreson who did it."

"What did you do," Alsuin asked apprehensively.

"He won't cause any more problems," Neriam replied gravely.

"What did you do," he repeated.

"I burnt him," he answered simply.

"With what?"

Neriam grinned tightly and held up his right hand, still clenched in a fist. "How do you think?"

Alsuin shook his head. "That wasn't a good idea. Our people do not like any sort of magic, you know."

"YOU are taking this rather calmly," Neriam argued.

"I know you," Alsuin countered quickly. "The rest do not, and your...display earlier will make them hunt you down." He smiled. "I'm glad to see you're not denying you have magic any more."

Neriam shrugged and huffed as he flopped down into a plush chair. "It was a little difficult to do so after all the talking and convincing and teaching that Opius did with me. I don't know," he slumped, "what I'm going to do any more. We'd barely made any progress, but he was always there, always encouraging, teaching."

"Neriam, you've only known him for a few days," Alsuin protested.

"Yes, but he seemed to know me so well." He held up the pendant. "This is all I have left."

"Huh?"

"His body vanished."

"You're joking!"

"No," Neriam disagreed sadly. He described the spectacle of earlier that day.

Then the two boys sat in silence. Alsuin finally looked up. "Here, I've made some headway. Maybe this will cheer you up." He crossed the room and fetched the small harp that Nikides had given him as a gift. Alsuin closed his eyes and his face took on a look of immense concentration as his fingers gently strummed the strings.

At first, Neriam hardly took any notice, but soon, the melody drew him out of his reverie. Alsuin's fingers flowed across the strings, barely brushing them, they moved so quickly. The chords were a minor of some kind, Neriam could tell, but whatever they were, they leant a sadness and gravity base to an overall tinkling melody. The harmony, though seeming to contrast, actually fit together. Neriam thought it sounded somewhat familiar.

A few moments later, it ended. Alsuin stopped, panting. Neriam was surprised to see a thin sheen of sweat on his friend's forehead. He'd never seen Alsuin break a sweat from playing the harp, even for hours at a time.

"That was beautiful," he complimented.

"Not quite right," Alsuin disagreed critically. "But better than the last time."

"What is it?"

Alsuin threw a somewhat guilty look at his friend and said, "Some song I heard one night in a dream. Nothing special."

"I disagree," said the voice of Nikides from the back of the room. Both boys jumped and whirled to see the red-robed Nikides standing in the doorway between his lower office and the sitting room. "That's the best I've ever heard you play, Alsuin," he complimented.

"Thank you, my Lord." He hesitated. "Ah, my Lord, there has been something of a...complication."

"Oh?"

"Neriam had an...incident with some locals."

"Gods, boy, are you all right," he asked as he looked Neriam over critically.

"He's fine," Alsuin answered quickly, "but there were some fatalities."

Nikides face grew grim. "I see." He looked disapprovingly at Neriam. "Didn't you ever get taught that it's bad manners to kill residents when you are visiting in a city?"

Neriam spluttered and tried to protest.

Nikides grinned tightly, mischievously, which made him appear a younger man. "We should probably clean up the bodies."

"There weren't any," Neriam muttered.

Nikides shot him a confused look.

"Anyway, my Lord," Alsuin hastily interjected, "I'm afraid that some of the residents took exception to Neriam's actions. I think we might need to leave soon. I don't want to place your generous hospitality at risk."

"Nonsense, my boy," Nikides countered as he sauntered over to the large bay window. "It can't be all that ba-by the GODS!"

Neriam looked down and shifted from foot to foot.

"Alsuin," Nikides said brusquely. Neriam's head whipped up at the tone of command and decision in the nobleman's voice. "I think it best if you go to Elmar now. I do not now, nor ever will I withdraw my hospitality to you, but better perhaps to face political uncertainty than an angry mob." He frowned. "I wonder how to get you a carriage..."

"My Lord," Neriam supplied, "I have an idea."

"Oh?"

"Just send one of your carriages out the main gate. Alsuin will be inside, and I will sit up on top with the driver." He smiled, but it did not reach his eyes, Alsuin noted with alarm. "Where the crowd can see me."

"But they'll not let you through."

Neriam shook his head. "Trust me, my Lord, they'll let me through."

Nikides stared out the window at the crowd already threatening to overwhelm his home security in agonized indecision. "So be it. Pack quickly gentlemen. I will supply you with a letter and seal to help you on your way."

Both boys nodded and rushed upstairs. They flung their clothing and other belongings into their worn (Neriam's much more so) packs and met again downstairs. Neriam had his familiar staff, and Alsuin, dressed noticeably nicer than when they arrived, carried the now-familiar rapier at his side.

"Excellent," commented Nikides, "the coach is ready. You both get into position. Apologize to Elmar for me, Alsuin, but it appears I will be unable to escort you home."

"I understand, my Lord," Alsuin bowed. "I know my Master will appreciate your efforts on my behalf."

The two boys approached the russet-colored coach and Alsuin seated himself inside while Neriam pulled himself into the driver's bench. The young coachman looked over at him.

"Exactly how do you plan on getting us through a mob?"

Neriam shrugged. "I'll figure something out."

The man gaped. "MOVE man," yelled Neriam out the window.

The coachman snapped the reigns and the carriage surged forward. Neriam stood and focused on his goal. As they approached the crowded gateway, Neriam let loose his energy, sending stinging bolts into the people who yelped and dove out of the way. He was required to do this a few more times before the carriage broke through the throng. Exhausted, Neriam slumped into the bench. And their ride rattled along.

"Sir, I work for Lord Nikides. You don't need to-"

"It's for forgetting what you saw on the way over," Alsuin interrupted.

"I saw nothing, sir."

"And how did we get through the crowd?"

"They dove out of the way of the horses."

The boy handed the young man the money. "Good. Have a safe journey."

Neriam, meanwhile, was waiting nervously by the gate to the city. "Alsuin," he moaned, "there's something very wrong here!"

Alsuin raised a silvery eyebrow. "What are you talking about? This is home!"

"I don't know. I just got a very bad feeling. There's something...strange here. I don't like it." He shivered.

"You need to remember no magic, Neriam," Alsuin warned. "Use your other skills."

"I think I used up everything I had on our escape from Nikides' manor," Neriam replied glibly.

"Good. Now come with me. I'm going to introduce you to my Master Elmar. I'm sure he'll let you stay here with us. I'm sure he'll be quite grateful."

The two of them traveled through the main thoroughfare to a long, straight road with high walls along both sides. "This is Silver Moon Street," Alsuin told Neriam. "Many of the younger nobles have villas here. My Master doesn't usually stay in town, but we'll go to his villa here and have the servants send word. I'm dying for a decent bath."

Neriam, a sense of dread surrounding him, nodded silently and followed, his eyes constantly on the lookout for some impending danger. He found none, however, and the two of them turned right onto a small track and through a high hedge. Neriam found, when he turned around that the hedge was actually a very thick wall surmounted by bushes and ivy. Trees whose lower branches intertwined, creating a naturally vaulted ceiling, had replaced the gate, and Alsuin looked around warmly.

The villa itself stood a modest two stories of solid marble. The eaves on the slate roof curved intricately into fantastical designs of dragons, griffons, or men with large feathered wings on their backs. "Welcome to the home of my master," Alsuin said simply.

"Young Master Alsuin," exclaimed an elderly gentleman in severe livery. "You're back! The Master will be so pleased!"

"Thank you, Domond. Can you send one of the stable boys to Master Elmar's house and tell him that we're here?"

"Of course, sir."

Alsuin nodded. "Thank you. Can you prepare a pair of baths as well? It's been a long journey from Angel's Fist."

"Of course. Who is your companion?"

"Oh, I forgot. Domond, this is my savior Neriam." He grinned at Neriam's sudden start of surprise that matched Domond's incredulous stare. "Neriam, this is the Chief Steward of my Master's villa. He runs the house so that Elmar doesn't have to."

"You're too kind, Alsuin. Come right this way, er, Neriam. I'm sure the Master will be extremely happy to meet you. But we should get you cleaned up."

"Nikides gave us some decent clothing, Domond. Can you have the maids clean an dry them while we bathe and I tell Neriam what to expect," Alsuin asked as the three of the trudged upstairs.

"Of course Alsuin."

Alsuin nodded and turned to Neriam. "I leave you in his capable hands. I'll meet you when we're done bathing, all right?"

Neriam nodded tersely.

Alsuin stared at him. "What's wrong, Neriam?"

He lowered his eyes. "Nothing. Go on."

"Ah, Domond, would you mind just setting up one bath? I think Neriam seems somewhat lost."

Neriam flushed brightly. "Of course, Alsuin." The old man grinned. "As I recall, you felt the same way when you first came here, and didn't want to leave Elmar's side, either."

Neriam stifled a laugh as Alsuin blushed and shot a glare at the steward. The man chuckled and turned to go back down the stairs. "The maids will be here with the hot water shortly."

"Our clothes are in our packs."

"They'll be ready by the time Master Elmar gets here," he assured Alsuin.

"Thank you."

Alsuin led Neriam upstairs and to a large, ornately furnished suite off in the right wing. Inside stood a large, four-poster bed with silk bed coverings and down-filled comforters. It was easily large enough for three or four people and Neriam had no doubt that it was comfortable. "This will be your room as long as you stay here. My room is just across the hall. We share the same sitting room, if that's all right with you.

Neriam hastened to assure his friend that it was perfect. "Good. I'll have one of the maids draw you a bath. Over here," he moved across the room to a small door. "This is the privy. Don't drop anything, it'll go right to the sewers." Neriam gaped at the sight of an indoor toilet. Alsuin chuckled. He led Neriam through the bedroom into the central sitting room, which was furnished extensively in blues and rich golds. It had doors at three sides to the large bath chamber they would both share and to the two bedrooms. The fourth wall was of stone and held the fireplace in the center bounded by two large lead-paned windows. Small seats, complete with cushions lay on the inside of the window frame, allowing one a comfortable seat from which to view outside. The fireplace looked large enough to walk into, and several tapestries depicting soldiers in battle lined the shelf-lined walls. "This is where I usually spend much of my time."

"What do you do," Neriam asked as he turned a complete circle and stared.

"I read a lot," Alsuin admitted, "and I work on my music. See?" He led Neriam to a large, boxlike instrument sitting in one of the corners. "This is my harpsichord. I don't play it often, but Elmar likes to hear me play sometimes. Or he will," he added thoughtfully, "although it's been a while."

Neriam walked to the right window and looked down. "What's that?" He pointed down to a series of poles, rings and other strange apparati on the grounds below.

"That's where Elmar's guards do their training. Being a soldier himself, Elmar's guardsmen are the best in the kingdom outside the Royal Family's. I sit up here and watch them train all the time."

"Oh."

"I'm feeling like a bath, some clean clothes, and a nice hot meal right now. What do you think," he asked.

"Sounds great," Neriam responded enthusiastically.

Alsuin walked to the bath chamber door and opened it. Inside, the room was marble with cotton walkways to avoid slipping once the room was full of steam. It had only one window, set high into the opposite wall, but had many candelabras and hooks for lamps. To the immediate right of the door lay a long rope of tasseled blue silk. Alsuin pulled the rope and a few moments later, a middle-aged woman with a kind face and ready smile stepped through a small door from the corner of the chamber. "Master Alsuin," she exclaimed. "How wonderful it is to see you again! The Master was very distraught with your disappearance."

Alsuin smiled. "I know, Nell. I'll tell him all about it once he gets here. In fact, I'm sure he's on his way, and my friend and I would like to make ourselves presentable."

She held up a hand. "Say no more. I'll be heating the water right away. Give it only a few minutes more, my boy, and you'll have a great hot bath." "Thank you, Nell." She started to leave. "It's nice to see you again, too." Her smile was the sun rising. "Welcome home," she added simply before disappearing down a back doorway, apparently for the servants' use.

Alsuin took Neriam into his room. "We need to find you some decent clothes before Elmar gets here," Alsuin informed him. "Maybe we can find something of mine for you."

Alsuin's room was so unlike the sitting room, Neriam was startled. It was simply, if exquisitely furnished, with a simple (large) bed, desk and wardrobe in the room. The floor had a deep, plush burgundy carpet and the wooden furniture was so brown it bordered on black. Several different instruments lined the shelves along the walls and some figurines of dragons and knights in full armor made out of either crystal or precious metal dotted the shelves, desk or windowpane. The most amazing thing of the room that stood out to Neriam were the walls. Starting to the immediate left of the door was a mural of what Neriam took to be the Great War against the people of Terra del Ghul. Men in long robes wielded fire and lightning from their hands to be hurled at others weaving multihued shields and walls. Men in bright armor with glowing weapons faced monsters of a darkness and evil such as Neriam had never seen. Amongst the chaos of the battle, a single group stood calmly, collected. They seemed to glow with an inner light and their weapons were all curves and flowing grace. The banner in their midst-a silver and a gold tree intertwined-proclaimed them as Elves, and the fought the demon hordes. Demons and dragons flew through the air overhead-right above Neriam's head in the center of the ceiling. Throughout the mural, the sky was dark from storm clouds that fire blue-white lances of lightning into the masses on both sides. Dawn and dusk were only blood-red streaks of red and orange that shed enough light to see the despair on the faces of the embattled warriors.

Neriam had never before seen its like. Alsuin spared it a glance. "A little depressing scene, I admit," he said when he noticed Neriam's awe. "But the Great War has always interested me. You have no idea how difficult it was for Elmar to find a painter who could-or would-do a job like this." He sighed, "I wished I could have seen that so often that it's become rote."

He shrugged and opened the wardrobe. "Stand still," he commanded imperiously. He removed several different sets of clothes, all silk Neriam noted, and held them up against Neriam. He shook his head often and placed the clothes back into the wardrobe. Eventually he said, "Ah, perfect. It should fit you nicely and make the right impression." He withdrew a pair of light-blue hose and a sheer snow-white silk shirt with very little embroidery or lace and added a royal blue vest of velvet. "Thank you," Neriam answered, unsure of what to say to this decision.

"Nothing at all," Alsuin brushed it aside. "I've never worn it before, and I'm curious to see how it will look." He coughed. "I think our bathwater is ready by now. Come on."

Taking a last, lingering look at the mural, Neriam followed Alsuin to the bath chamber where he was already pumping a small hand pump by the pool-like tub. After only a moment, hot water poured out of a hole in the upper ledge of the tub and began to fill it. Alsuin gave the pump a few more goes before calmly removing his clothing and stepping into the water already at knee height. Neriam followed suit, and soon both boys were letting out relieved sighs as the hot water relieved their tensions and relaxed them both: Neriam enough to finally talk.

"Alsuin, this is an amazing house. Your room is incredible! I've never seen anything like it."

"Bah, it's nothing," Alsuin grinned. "You should see the REAL manor outside the city. I'll take you there after Elmar comes and gets us." For the next half-hour, Alsuin filled Neriam in on the courtesies expected in the Good Land, and what Elmar would expect from a guest. At first, Neriam was astounded at the sheer list, but he wanted to make a good impression, so he paid close attention.

They exited the bath and dried with thick wool fluffy towels Alsuin retrieved from a small closet set into the back wall. The room was rather steam-filled, which supplied a pleasant warmth after the hot water, so Neriam was startled when Alsuin appeared from seemingly out of nowhere to hand him the towel. "This is how you drain the bath when completed," Alsuin explained, moving to a small wheel on the side of the door. He turned it to the right and the water whirlpooled down a center drain. "Normally we have the maids pump the water and drain the tub, but I wasn't sure how you'd feel about that." He smiled. "That, and the fact they're not all here right now."

Neriam's clothes now sat in his own bedroom, along with freshly-cleaned smallclothes, blue wool socks and velvet shoes. Alsuin shooed him out so that he could dress in peace, and so Neriam reluctantly put on the clothes supplied for him.

He found both the hose and the shirt to be rather tight-so much so that he felt they were not much of a covering at all, although he felt no constriction. The shoes were of a hue between his hose and his vest and were quite comfortable. Neriam moved into the mirror and looked at himself. His mouth dropped. Not only could he SEE every single curve of his body through the hose (including the small indentations in his thigh muscles when the straightened his legs) AND the shirt (likewise, the ripples in his shoulders), but it was open almost to his navel with a cut nearly as wide across at the top as his pectorals and only gradually narrowing down to a point! He hurriedly donned the vest, which covered his chest except for a six-inch strip down the center (which most of the shirt ALSO failed to cover) and his arms. He looked for his own clothes, but could not find them in his room.

A knock at his door proved to be Alsuin, dressed in emerald-green silk and satin of a less revealing cut, who eyed him up and down appreciatively. "Excellent. Elmar will love it."

"Alsuin, I'm barely even dressed!"

"Neriam, the whole idea of clothes is to show off what you have. You have a nice body. You should be showing it off."

"But," Neriam protested even as he blushed.

"Hush," Alsuin interjected. "Elmar just got into the gate. We need something to set it off."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh yes. What about your friend's necklace? I'd give you something of mine, but I just don't have anything that fits this outfit. A pity you don't have your ear pierced."

"My friend's necklace, what are you talking about...my ear WHAT?" Neriam wheeled from shock to shock.

"The old man's necklace. It will be perfect. I have a silver circlet you could possibly wear, but I don't know if it would have too little tact for a first meeting. No, the necklace aught to be enough."

"You're out of your mind."

"Not at all. Here." Alsuin left and returned only a few moments later with Opius' necklace of silver and platinum.

Neriam's eyes filled with tears at the memory of his old friend, followed quickly by anger. "That is the symbol of Opius' religion, not some trinket to be worn for festivities," he raged. "How COULD you think of asking me to do this?"

Alsuin protested and wheedled, complimented and coerced and somehow Neriam found himself acquiescing. As he placed the triangular pendant upon his bare chest, he felt a calm pervade through him, as though the old man were watching. Alsuin stepped back and looked, his large eyes filled with many expressions. He opened his mouth to speak, but another knock at the door silenced him.

"Master Alsuin," a quavering Nell said from the doorway, "the Master would like to see you." She swallowed. "Immediately."