The Knights of the Road

Knights of the Road - Part 2

By Pfantazm

Sir Madoc is grabbed by the arms by a number of hands. Guards, his brothers-in-arms, surround him on all sides. Peleas, the swordmaster, glares. Rodolf, his close friend, turns his back. King Dunstan and Sir Rhys look down from their dais. The executioner's expression cannot be identified, for he wears a mask. Thom, his love, who has his hands tied behind his back, can only plead with his eyes. All the hands push him away.

Madoc struggles to make it to the gallows, but there are too many people in the courtyard in the way. They all block his path and push him back.

"Please," he cries, "let me help him! Let me by!"

Faces snarl. Boots trip him. Thom's neck is placed in the noose. Elbows press.

The guards manage to force Madoc out of the doors to Dragon's Keep. A man Madoc does not recognize says, "You're lucky we don't do the same to you after what you've done. You deserve it." The gates slam shut.

Madoc beats his fists against the doors, trying to break back in. "No! You can't!" he screams. He kicks at the doors, then throws his weight against them. Even through all the noise, he can hear the stool kicked out from under his love's feet.

"Thom!!"

"Madoc? Are you alright?"

Someone was pounding at the door. "Yes, hold on," Sir Madoc called out.

His body was tangled up in the sheets. He freed himself, then draped the blanket over his shoulders. He paced carefully to the door of the barely- moonlit room and opened it partway.

It was Rodolf. "Are you sure you're alright? I heard yelling."

Had he been calling out in his sleep? "I'm fine really. It was just a nightmare. I don't think I've said anything before...."

"You've been having these a lot?"

Madoc frowned and nodded.

"Can I come in, Madoc, before I catch a chill?"

"Wha?" Madoc looked at Rodolf clearly. He had his sword in his hand, but wore nothing. "Oh, of course. Sorry." Madoc opened the door all the way and Rodolf stepped inside. Madoc shut the door.

Madoc lit his candle. Rodolf had sat down on the bed, not bothering to cover himself. Rodolf's sword leaned against the footboard, out of harm's way, but not out of reach.

"My granny used to say that the only way to make a nightmare stop was to tell someone about it," Rodolf said.

Madoc looked away, not meeting his friend's eyes, unsure of what to say.

"Are you worried about your mission? It's a tough one...."

"No, it's not that." Madoc looked at his fellow knight.

"Personal?" Rodolf's gaze never wavered.

When Madoc didn't answer, he said, "If you want, I'll listen."

Madoc considered the man in front of him, a fellow High Guardsman, he was ancient for his profession at 37. Black, curly hair framed a weathered face, and more covered his chest. He was a very strong man, but his muscles weren't defined. He is in excellent shape. One thick leg lay on the bed, a foot tucked beneath the thigh of the other. With his legs spread open like that Madoc could see his soft cock surrounded by thick, black hairs--

'Stop that,' Madoc thought. 'This is Rodolf. How can you even think of him that way?' He looked away.

"Really, it's nothing. Just a bad dream," he said quickly.

"If you're sure," said Rodolf. "You know I worry about you."

Madoc still could not meet Rodolf's eye. "There's no reason to."

"I think there is. There's a sadness about you, Madoc, and in the years I've known you, I haven't been able to figure out what it is." Rodolf put his hand on Madoc's arm. "You know you can--"

Madoc flinched, jerking his arm back. "I'll be fine. I just need to deal with it myself."

"Alright." Rodolf rose and collected his sword. "I'll be around tomorrow if you want to talk. Get some sleep."

Madoc nodded and Rodolf let himself out.

He spent some minutes trying to forget the image of Rodolf's behind as he left before going back to sleep.

Madoc heard shouting. He was passing the archery butts on his way to see if any more information had arrived, when he saw three of the liveried Palace Guards arguing with one other man. Madoc went over to investigate. As he approached, he identified the outnumbered guard as a knight-errant, whose name escaped him.

Just as Madoc came up behind him, the Palace Guard in the middle said, "I'll show you what we think of people like you." He raised his fist to punch the knight.

Madoc hooked his arm. "You must have a very good reason for wanting to hit one of your brother guards."

All three guards looked surprised to see someone behind them. The knight still looked ready for a fight.

"He was giving me the eye, Sir Madoc," said the combative guard. His two companions blanched and started at the name. Madoc's reputation was known even if his face wasn't familiar.

Madoc arched an eyebrow. "And what are your names?"

"Callum," said the stricken guard.

"I am Kester," said the third.

"And I am Bryn," said the attacker as he wrenched his arm from Madoc's grip. "This one was looking me over the way a normal man looks over a wench. He's disturbed."

This was hitting a little too close to Madoc's heart. "What of you two? What were your roles in this?"

"I didn't see anything," Callum said. "Bryn just jumped at him."

Kester said, "He was standing in the corner. He hasn't even got a bow with him."

"I came here looking for my bow. I thought I'd left it here," the tense knight said.

Madoc sized up the three guards. They were all around twenty, full of piss and vinegar. Callum looked embarrassed to be there, Kester was sticking by his friend, and Bryn seemed ready to spill blood. The knight's wandering eye may have been real or imagined, but either way it seemed to be an excuse.

"It really doesn't matter what the reason is. There are too few of us for Guards to be fighting each other. If you have a problem with one of your brethren, you deal with it calmly or stay away. You do not come to blows. Do you understand?"

Callum and Kester nodded.

"Why are you taking his side? He's sick! He should be locked away!"

Madoc became incensed. "I am not taking his side, Bryn, but your demeanor is inexcusable. I will speak with him in a moment, but you must realize that even if you are right, that does not give you free rein to beat up on people, especially not your comrades. If you feel like some combat, Sir Peleas can keep you quite busy. If I hear of you causing trouble again, I will report you to your superior. Clear?"

Bryn looked up at Madoc, who towered over him. "Clear." He collected his bow and quiver and stalked off. His mates followed, Callum apologizing as he passed.

"Thank you, Sir Madoc," said the knight. "I am Sir Trustan. That Bryn looked like trouble."

"They were right, though, weren't they?"

Trustan was left without words. He was a few inches shorter than Madoc. His light brown hair fell forward onto his brow. His dark eyes seemed to search Madoc's face for some explanation the bigger man would accept. "I-- I was...."

"It's fine. I'm not angry or upset. Just be more discreet. Most of the men here won't accept it, and there's no point inviting trouble." Madoc noticed his hand had strayed to Trustan's shoulder. He pulled it away.

Trustan's handsome face smiled. "I'll remember. I don't suppose you...?" His eyes finished the offer without words.

Madoc faltered. What could he say without lying or telling more than he wanted to? "I don't think I could."

Trustan nodded, obviously disappointed.

"I have to get to the pigeonhouse. Will you fare well alone?"

"I think I will. Thank you again."

Madoc tried to hide his blushing face and retreated hastily.

It had been bad enough the past twelve days without Thom around. Madoc missed him terribly, but he had to stay away. He couldn't countenance the idea of his brethren ostracizing him because he was in love with a man. There would be retribution, just as there was in his dream of last night, and just as there was on the archery field just now.

Rather than provoke talk among his fellow guard, Madoc decided the only safe thing to do would be to avoid Thom as much as possible, but even this didn't seem to be working. He'd gawked at Rodolf, of all people, and he'd all but made a pass at Trustan, egging him toward a proposition. He felt he wasn't in control of himself any longer.

He'd told Thom the lie that he'd been making preparations for their mission. This wasn't completely untrue: he was, at that moment, about to check whether any word had arrived from the outposts. There just wasn't so much to do that he couldn't spend more time with his love. Having to lie hurt him deeply, but he didn't see what else he could do. He had to remain proper. He had to.

He climbed the stairs into the Northeast Tower. He rapped loudly on the trapdoor to the belfry before opening it.

On the top of the tower was the pigeonhouse, as it was called. Here it could be seen that the sky promised rain. Crude wooden cages wrapped tightly with thin strips of metal competed for space in the open-air windows exposed to the coming storm. Coos and the nervous flapping of wings filled Madoc's ear.

Jerome the Falconer spent much of his time here in the mornings looking after the carrier pigeons that sent messages between outposts and Dragon's Keep.

"What word?" asked Sir Madoc.

"Nothing yet, but I have more to check here from Greyholt. It holds promise."

Madoc was well acquainted with Jerome's much-scarred countenance. "Lessons learned when I was very young and foolish," he called them. His unkempt moustache and beard had gaps where scar tissue resided, and his eyes were decorated with crimson stripes when closed.

While Jerome fished out the message, Madoc surveyed the city. From this vantage, all of Aragon-town could be seen. Horse- and human-drawn carts rumbled through main roads, smiths and craftsmen labored in their shops, townswomen perused the markets. Madoc could be enthralled watching it for hours.

"Aha!"

Madoc turned away from the view.

"Might this be of use to you?"

The knight read the slip of parchment:

Krayd rumoured neare Armead-to-Spenderton road. Farmers cart attackt.

"Perfect! At last we have a lead. Thank you, Jerome."

The falconer smiled. "I'll be sure to check once more at dawn tomorrow before you're off."

"With luck, this should be enough. Good day to you, Jerome." Madoc clambered down the tower steps and let the trapdoor fall above him.

Madoc watched out the window overlooking the courtyard below. He was glad he'd gotten his training in earlier that morning. It was coming down in buckets now.

Thom was practicing against Peleas. He smiled when Thom began his charge, winced when he lost his advantage and frowned when he hit the mud. The Guardsman hoped his love would be able to defend himself when the time came.

He wanted to go down and help, but he also worried that there would be talk. The brotherhood and acceptance he got from the other guards were very dear to him. It was too important to risk.

Madoc continued to watch as Thom changed swords and roused Dorian. If he couldn't aid his partner directly just then, he could observe from a distance and help later. Madoc watched the matches he had with their target. Thom had no trouble ignoring any distractions Dorian threw at him, but actual feints, decoy moves made with the sword fooled him every time.

A page came running out to speak to the pair of them, and Thom left.

Perhaps Peleas could explain why Thom was having such trouble.

Madoc went down the stairs and out through the main double doors into the courtyard, closing them behind him to keep out the damp. He pulled his collar higher on his neck, to the same end.

Sir Madoc skirted the pairs of sparring guards and waited while Sir Peleas finished his lesson with one of the city patrolmen. He stood there when Madoc attracted his attention like being in the rain was a natural thing. Where Madoc was hunched down in an instinctive and futile attempt to stay dry, Sir Peleas stood straight in his soaking clothes, not even shivering.

Once the patrolman was beaten and instructed on how to improve, Madoc asked after Thom.

"He's not accustomed to wearing a sword," he began. "I'm sure you know that. To be any good he needs a lot of work. One thing he won't do is look a man in the eye. He looks down, or to the side. He seems personable enough, but there's also this shiftiness to him.

"I'd be careful around him. I think he has something to hide."

Madoc opened his mouth to defend his partner, but he realized he did have something to hide; they both did. The High Guardsman faltered.

"I know you, Madoc, and I'm sure that Thom was a great help to you chasing down the Dark Rogue, but not everyone's motives are as pure as yours. Be careful. I'd hate to lose one of my best students."

Madoc grinned. "Thank you, Sir Peleas. Now is that the only fault Thom has?"

Peleas shook his head. "Fine. Don't listen to an old man," he jested. "There's that and his inexperience, but of course, there's nothing to be done about that but keep him practicing. If the man is sincere and spars regularly, he should be able to hold his own against most foes. He has the strategy down for certain."

"Thank you. It's good to hear. I'll make sure we spar while we're on the road. And I will see you next time we're called to Dragon's Keep."

They said their goodbyes, and Madoc turned to head back inside. Someone called out his name.

"Ho! Sir Madoc! As you can see, I've taken your counsel!" It was Bryn. "Would you care to practice with me?"

Sir Rhys had said that he'd wanted to speak with him, but didn't say when. "I would." Madoc pulled a practice sword from a nearby bin and swung it once or twice to gauge its balance.

He looked into Bryn's eyes. There he saw fire and anticipation, an eagerness to beat his opponent. Madoc already knew that the guard was impetuous and quick-tempered. He could use this to his advantage.

No sooner than Madoc had assumed a defense posture did Bryn charge. The angry guard's ferocity drove the knight back a few paces.

Madoc spent all his concentration on blocking the younger man's thrusts. If Bryn practiced his swordsmanship every time he got upset....

At long last Madoc turned one of his parries into an offensive strike. The knight pressed onward, driving his foe back, trying to make him work harder than he himself did. Their steps squelched in the rain-soaked ground in between the clacks of the blades colliding.

Despite all of the effort he wasted, Bryn seemed to be just as fresh as when he started. His vigor seemed to know no bounds. By now the pair were drawing quite a crowd of spectators.

Bryn lashed out once more. The tip of his practice blade whooshed by Madoc's face. He leaned backwards out of his path only just in time. The face was one of two areas on the body where sparring duelers were prohibited from striking. The wooden swords could still do serious damage.

Madoc put the breech down to Bryn's flaring temper, and did not worry about it further, but he kept a more watchful eye. He did notice that Sir Peleas was now part of the audience and the lapse would not go unpunished.

The knight watched the guard's eyes as he battled. He was filled with far to much emotion to hide his intentions. Madoc slipped through the younger man's defenses, raking his mock steel across his arm. Had the duel been real, the wound would have been serious, but Bryn forged on as if nothing had happened. He merely seemed twice as enraged.

Through the coursing rain they fought. Bryn's fury lent him strength, laying blow after blow against Madoc without ever managing to touch him. The knight was starting to fatigue though, and the rain was chilling him. He could not last forever.

Bryn slashed against Madoc's sword and stepped in, forcing them together. "I watched you and that pansy together after you told me to leave. You and your kind have no place here," he growled into Madoc's face. No one else heard.

The knight broke out of the stalemate, throwing the younger man off of him. Bryn responded by taking another swipe at his face.

Now the knight's anger was stoked. This kid was not sparring; he meant to do him harm. The gauntlet had been thrown down.

Madoc attacked aggressively now, not bothering to measure his effort. He slashed effectively at his enemy, catching him on the sword hand, driving him ever backward. Bryn stumbled, tripping over his own feet, sliding on his feet across the mud as he blocked the knight's thrusts desperately. Some of their astonished audience dodged out of the way, but none of them made a move to stop the rampaging knight.

Finally Bryn's back crashed into the wall of the courtyard. Madoc brought his sword down again and again while Bryn levelled his blade in front of his body to protect himself.

With his free hand Madoc punched Bryn in the stomach, just enough to knock the wind out of him. He pressed Bryn's sword hand and pinned him there. The younger guard's weapon dropped to the earth. With the point of his sword, he drew a slow, mud-red line across the exposed flesh of the guard's neck, demonstrating quite clearly that the fight was over.

"You're on report," Madoc shouted. "I will see to it that you are suspended at the least. You needlessly endangered the safety of a fellow guard, and that is inexcusable." Madoc saw that Bryn was still shaking in frustration and fear. He released his grip on the man and left him there.

He strode away from Bryn. His brother guardsmen were muttering among themselves and shuffling about. Rain pelted the ground and his body. He heard nothing and saw nothing, but he felt Bryn rise behind him.

Madoc wheeled around, laying a wicked roundhouse on the guard's jaw as he lunged to attack the knight. Bryn was spun around by the force of the blow. He fell to the ground and stayed there. He spat out blood and a tooth.

The knight re-entered the castle unmolested.

Sir Madoc waited patiently by the door to the war room. He worked at calming himself sufficiently to be able to report to Sir Rhys dispassionately.

The head Guard, military advisor to the King, was some time in arriving.

When he did arrive in his pristine white tabard, he looked Sir Madoc up and down. He was soaked, dripping on the stone floor, and he was muddied from the waist down. "I see you came straight here. Come in."

Madoc waited while Sir Rhys entered the room and sat down. Then he came in, closed the door and stood at attention.

"I've already heard Lady Rumor's telling of the tale, but I'd rather hear from you exactly what happened at practice today."

Madoc detailed Bryn's earlier conflict with Sir Trustan, and his involvement therein.

"Some time later I went to the courtyard to ask Sir Peleas how Thom was doing. Bryn asked if I would spar with him. During our match, he made an aggressive move to my face. Once, it might have been accidental. Twice, it was done with malice.

"I decided that Bryn was not sparring with me, but fighting, and I acted accordingly. I fenced, not to train, but to win."

Sir Rhys waited, then said, "And win you did. But there was a final altercation, wasn't there?"

"Yes, sir. When I ended our sword fight, I left Bryn lying on the ground. He got up and tried to attack me. I hit him and this time he stopped."

"Did he touch you?"

"No, sir."

"Did you see him?"

"No, sir."

"Hear him?"

Madoc swallowed and turned pale. He saw what Sir Rhys was driving at. "No, sir, I didn't." He turned his head down.

"Please look at me, Sir Madoc. You're not in trouble. However, you did not, in fact, know that Bryn was trying to grab you, did you?"

"Sir, I--" The words died in his throat.

"Yes?"

"I can't explain. But I knew he was about to attack."

"And any number of witnesses will attest that he was about to do just that. No one had time to call out in warning to tell you."

Madoc did not know what to say.

"Let's talk about Thom. He is not who he appears to be, is he?"

Madoc hesitated. "No, sir, he is not."

"He's the Dark Rogue, in fact. King Dunstan thought I should know who I was accepting into my guard. And yet you used his help in gathering the items Eleazar asked for in Cairncross. There's an outpost not three miles from Cairncross. You could have had him delivered to Aragon instead of bringing him along. You didn't."

Madoc was shaking. "No, sir."

"Sir Madoc, don't worry. This isn't an enquiry into any wrongdoing on your part. There are some details I'd like to hear that didn't come out in court.

"Instead of sending him here and having him executed, you might say he's changed sides. He is now one of us. While I don't recommend this tactic with every criminal you capture, it seems to have worked in this case. My question is, how could you tell so quickly?"

Madoc's face was blushing red. "We...."

"Let me help you. You and Thom are... more than friendly, yes?"

Madoc nodded.

"Did you feel this way before you came to Cairncross?"

"No, sir."

"Then how did you know?"

Madoc simply stared.

"You can't say, can you? It's not that you want to hide any secret. You just don't have any answer to give, that right?"

"That's it exactly, sir," he said, at once relieved and more nervous.

Sir Rhys smiled. "I will be most interested to hear what befalls you over this mission.

"You are to capture Kraid, and as many of his Marauders as you can. If one or two escape, then no matter. We want Kraid, and we also want his henchman, a most cruel man by the name of Damon.

"Begin by meeting Sir Bastian, a warlock, at the outpost at Karelia. The Marauders seem to center around that area, on both sides of the Greypoints. Sir Bastian will describe his talents to you there.

"Once you have captured as many of the Marauders as you can, you are to return here and report to me. The men themselves will already have been executed. There will be no trial, at least none that you must attend; their fate is sealed.

"Have you any questions?"

"No, sir."

"Good. I wish you good fortune on your mission. I suspect, however, that you won't be needing it."

Sir Rhys stood up and shook Madoc's hand. "You are dismissed."

Relieved that it was all over, Madoc left the room to get changed.

Freshly scrubbed and dry, Madoc came for dinner. Just as he arrived, though, Thom came up to him. He sailed right by, saying, "I need to be away from this place," and left him behind to follow.

Madoc looked into the dining hall. Sir Fergus was staring at him. There was an empty seat at his side. Fergus, he recalled, was one of the other two guards who had been part of the team sent to capture Thom. He was also rather dense at times.

Madoc started to run after his partner, doubled back, grabbing half an apple, which he knew was Thom's favorite food. "I'll be back for the rest," he told the server.

Madoc ran back down the passageway until he reached a fork. A pair of maids were chatting in the hallway.

"Where did he go?" he asked. They pointed toward the door to the smithery and the armory. He ran off at full tilt.

He by-passed the hot area of the smithery; Thom wouldn't be comfortable there. He pushed open the door to the outside and scanned his surroundings.

The rain had stopped and the clouds had parted enough to allow the pale golden light from the Flier moon to shine down. Thom was nowhere in sight.

Madoc went to the center of the courtyard and looked around. The armory was empty. There were some doors and passages to other areas of the castle, but which one Thom might have taken, Madoc couldn't tell.

Madoc stood and thought. 'He's been this way. He said he wanted to be away from this place, but he can't leave the castle, not if he's carrying a tray of food. He's hiding but he wants me to find him.

'The courtyard here is quiet enough, so he doesn't need to keep going. He must be here.'

Still Madoc searched, following the wall now, but still unable to find his love. Madoc began to fret. Then he saw the tray, sitting on the flagstones. Between the armorer's shed and the outside wall was a small space, and this is where Thom sat. The gentle breeze tried to play with his bushy blonde hair. His usually bright hazel eyes were downcast.

Madoc knew Thom was aware of his presence, probably had been since he entered the courtyard. He offered him the half-apple he'd snatched before chasing after Thom.

Thom looked up at him and smiled. He accepted the apple. Madoc crouched down, unable to ask the question he desperately needed to ask.

Thom answered anyway. "I thought it would be so simple. Just you and I righting the wrongs of the land like I always tried to do, but with the King's blessing. It's all so different though. There are so many rules, the King would rather see me fail, the other guards don't know what to do with me, and the only one I can talk to is Dorian and they're trying to kill him too." He took a deep breath. "I don't know if I can do this. I'm afraid, Madoc."

The confession surprised him. He didn't think much of anything would frighten Thom. Madoc tried to help. "I know our king. He doesn't want to see you fail. He simply doesn't think you'll succeed." Thom glared at him. "I don't think you realize what the difference is there. If he wanted you to fail, you would be dead now, and so would I.

"Was it something somebody said that brought all this on?"

Thom nodded, looking down again.

"Sir Fergus?"

Thom smiled and nodded again.

"He's a blowhard, but he's harmless." Madoc lifted Thom's chin to look into his eyes. "This was your thirteenth day here. Tomorrow we ride off to meet Bastian and find Lennox. You know that we can't..." Madoc checked the battlements above to see if any bored castle guards were eavesdropping. "Not here. Can you last one more night?"

Thom put his head back. A smile slowly crept across his face. "Yes."

"Don't worry. Our motives are true. We'll perform this duty for the King and we'll be fine." Madoc laid his hand on Thom's shoulder.

"We'll be fine," Thom repeated.

"Eat up now. You'll need your strength for tomorrow. I'll get my dinner and I'll join you."

As Madoc went back to the dining hall, he felt immense relief that he'd been able to make Thom feel better. Whenever Thom felt down, it made Madoc more nervous, made him wonder what he might have done wrong, or what he wasn't doing that would make it better.

He collected his tray and returned to the armory wall to find Thom starting to pick at his food. Two half-cores lay on his tray.

Madoc sat down leaning against the other wall in Thom's little cubbyhole. He set the tray in his lap and picked up his spoon to start on his stew. Thom was scooping his up with his bread.

"Is everything all set for tomorrow, save the last of our equipment?" Thom asked.

"Almost. I'll be getting one last chance at a message by pigeon about Kraid's whereabouts. Other than that we're set."

"Good. It'll be nice to get back out to the country. More freedom there."

"Yes," Madoc said, "but don't forget that we have a job to do."

"I know, but even in that, we'll have more freedom to do the job how we please. We still have to follow the Code of Chivalry, but most of it is just common sense from what I understood. Except for the occasional lapse," Thom said, winking, "I was following it before."

"If you have any questions about it, you can ask me. I know the Code quite thoroughly. I'll be able to help you practice your swordsmanship as well."

"I've heard you've been practicing your swordsmanship," Thom teased. "You, sir, are the talk of the keep."

Madoc stopped, bread almost to his lips. "What do you mean?"

"You, slashing away at one of the castle guards like a madman in the middle of the courtyard, and then whirling around and knocking his block off before the lad could even think of retaliating? And all this happened just about the time I left, too. I'm sorry I missed it." Thom grinned at him.

"I didn't want to have to do it. He angered me."

"I must be sure never to get you angry then. Here you sit, still a guard, while they threw your sparring partner out on his ear."

"What?"

"For conduct unbecoming of a guard, so says Lady Rumor. She also says he took some swipes at your head while he was fighting you?"

"Yes, he did. I thought they'd only reprimand him."

"A lot of people seem to get punished harshly when you're around. Both Tybalt and Eleazar were severely dealt with. Tell me, what did happen? Why was the castle guard so bloodthirsty?"

Madoc told him the whole story, including the reason why Bryn had been picking on Trustan.

"That's appalling! There's no call for that! And I suppose he went after you for the same reason."

Madoc nodded silently.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," he said.

"Are you sure? You sound down. You did the right thing, Madoc. That kid was trouble."

"I suppose...."

"You don't agree? Madoc, what if he'd decided to come after me instead? It wouldn't take a scryer to figure out that if you like men, and you are the only High Guardsman to get a partner, what does that say about me?"

Madoc looked up, shocked. "Please keep your voice down."

"If he'd decided to pick a sword fight with me instead of you, he could have put out my eye. I'm not nearly as good as you. I would have been an easy target. Would you have been good and angry then?"

"Yes, I know I would."

"Then think of this as the better outcome where you stopped him before he did it. A man with that kind of hatred has no place here. We're better off rid of him."

"You're right," Madoc said, still sounding down.

"What I don't understand is why you seem to be more sad about the whole affair, and not pissed off like you should be. Madoc, he would have taken your face off today, or worse if he'd had steel in his hands instead of oak, and the only reason why is because someone was looking at him in a way he didn't like and you interceded."

"I shouldn't have lost control in the courtyard. I could have hurt him just as badly."

"From what I heard, Madoc, you didn't do anything Sir Peleas wouldn't approve of in a match. You were just more... intense. Quit beating up on yourself, heh? Save some of the beating for Kraid?"

Madoc grinned, his mood lifting. "I'll try."

Thom gave him a funny look.

"Alright, I will." He'd checked earlier, and he hadn't heard anything since. Only weak light from the Flier moon could reach them here. Madoc risked taking Thom's hand in his. "Thank you."

Thom gave his hand a squeeze. "You're most welcome."

They spent the rest of the time talking about everything and nothing until late in the evening when they returned, each to his own room.

Madoc dreamed again that night.

He is in his chambers, in bed. There is a knock at the door.

Madoc rises, naked, and pulls a sheet around his shoulders, like a cloak.

Sir Trustan stands there and asks to come in. Madoc bids him to enter. Trustan moves next to Madoc and closes the door. He stands intimately close and looks deep into Madoc's eyes. He grips a loose fold of blanket, gently urging them together. The knight-errant kisses Madoc, his hands diving into the blanket to seek Madoc's flesh. Trustan grips him tight and grinds against his bare hip. He's hard, and Madoc's erection is growing.

Trustan pushes Madoc back to the bed. The High Guardsman does not protest.

He falls backward onto the bed and climbs on top, still clothed, and kisses him, urgently and deeply.

Trustan undoes the tie at his chest, loosening his shirt. "I know you want this," he says. "I could see it in your eyes. You're going to love it."

The knight-errant stands on his knees over Madoc's body and pulls his shirt over his head, revealing a youthfully packed chest, lean and strong. A fine covering of hair adorns the space between his nipples and down to his stomach. He stands up, shucking his boots and turns around. His hands slither into his waist and rub his hips before pulling his pants downward. Madoc admires his seducer's beautiful ass, round and full inside the sheer, white smallclothes.

Trustan turns once more. His underthings are stretched by the large organ inside. He arches his back, thrusting his hips forwards. Trustan flexes his ass, his chest, his back, sending small ripples of tensed muscle across his body. His cock strains too, quaking slightly as it tries to free itself from bondage.

One of the knots holding Trustan's underwear finally gives way, allowing his penis to lurch forward right at Madoc. The defeated loincloth falls to the floor, and Trustan is revealed, still stretching every muscle in statuesque glory.

Trustan relaxes, gazing dreamily into Madoc's eyes. The knight-errant's dark eyes seem to be drawing him in, ever closer until again Trustan's mouth is on his, and their cocks brush against each other.

Trustan holds Madoc's head while his tongue makes sweet love to his mouth. He humps up until only their lips touch, and then sinks slowly, effortlessly onto his hard cock, wrapping it in warmth. The brunet's body rises and falls slowly, massaging his member with long strokes. He sits up straight, bracing himself on Madoc's chest.

Madoc twists his spine and moans. His hands caress his own sides, then Trustan's legs and then his ass. He squeezes the asscheeks, feeling them bulge as Trustan fucks himself on Madoc's tool.

"Come on, Madoc," he says throatily. "Let me have it. I want it all. You can do it. Give me what I want."

"Ohhh, I want to. Just keep going, and you'll get it," Madoc replies. "I'm so close... you're so good...."

Trustan's breathing is deep and steady, but it rises in pace. His mouth opens wide, but all that comes out is a strangled sigh as Trustan cums. His seed flies out, washing over the ridges of Madoc's smooth chest, bathing him in the essence of the younger man.

Madoc jams his cock up into Trustan and his own cum explodes inside of him. Trustan is truly riding him now, as he is forcefully lifted off the bed by Madoc's hips. His juices splash around the inside of his knightly brother's guts.

Madoc's body drops, exhausted, back to the bed. Trustan leans forward to lie on Madoc's stomach.

Thom is standing behind him. "Well, Madoc?" he says.

Madoc sat up bolt upright, alone in his dark room. The only reality of the encounter was in the stickiness around his own legs. He had cum.

He cleaned himself up as best he could in the dark. He looked out the window. The moons were setting. It would only be a few hours before dawn. He could do with the soiled sheets for that time.

Madoc had dreamed about sex before, even while here in Dragon's Keep, but his partner had always been Thom until now. With all the... distractions he was having with other men, this dream meant to serve as a warning.

Before they split up for their separate tasks, he would have to tell Thom about the dream. His conscience would require no less.

Madoc rose, as he normally did, shortly before dawn. His clothes, collected from his room, filed his two large saddlebags to overflowing. He would not be returning to Dragon's Keep after each mission, and so could not leave them here. Still, he had the remainder of his new equipment to obtain from the quartermaster. Most of it would be soap, travel rations, a pillowcase and such: things he would no longer be getting here.

He looked around his room, now coldly empty. He'd never done much to mark the room as his own, but now, stripped of his possessions, it felt different. The room would still be reserved for him - there were few enough High Guardsmen for that - but he wondered if it would ever truly fell like home again.

He silently shut the door behind him and went to pick up his supplies from the quartermaster.

Once he was fully equipped, he outfitted Fleetfire. As he prepared, he began to feel some excitement. He would be with his Thom again, and henceforth they would be together forever. He hummed an old tune he'd not heard or thought of since his childhood, since before-- no. He was not going to brood. Today was for celebration of the new turn his life was taking. He would have to live for Thom, not for the past. Madoc waited by the gate for his partner to arrive.

Jerome came and went, reporting that no new messages had arrived with word of Kraid's movements.

Finally Thom appeared. He was walking his new midnight-black horse to the gate. His unkempt blond hair shone in the reddish dawn sunlight. His pretty hazel eyes sparkled. He wore a leather cuirass as Madoc himself did, with a brilliant white shirt underneath and his new green tabard, straight and perfect over top.

Madoc was taken aback by how well the clothes and uniform accentuated his lithe body. He'd only really seen his love in the shadowy costume of the thief before. He stood proud at just under six feet in his new identity.

Madoc's mouth was hanging open and his cock was hard as stone.

"Are we ready to leave?" Thom asked.

"Yes," Madoc replied, breathless.

"Good. Let's be off."

Madoc watched his partner's ass as he mounted his steed. He shuddered and his member twitched. He wasn't sure he'd be able to last until that night when they could finally couple once more.

As they rode through the streets of Aragon, he noticed many citizens watching them. Thom seemed to be getting the attention of a number of young women (and also some men). He looked to Thom and thanked Katusha for Her gift of luck in winning his heart. Usually Madoc didn't think twice about the gods, but something had to have happened to bring Thom his way.

He just hoped whatever it was, it wouldn't run out.

That afternoon the sun tried to make it feel as if it would be summer forever. It was unseasonably hot for this late in the year, even if it was the Flier summer before autumn.

Madoc was sweating under his armor and layers of clothing. Fleetfire was also gleaming slightly with sweat. He looked around for signs of water.

"Thom, have you seen a stream nearby?" he asked.

The blond was staring off to the horizon with a bemused expression.

"Thom? Thom?"

"What?" he said, focussing on the voice.

"I said, `Have you seen a stream nearby?' We should water the horses. I guess you haven't seen much of anything. What were you thinking of?"

"Tonight," he replied with a devilish grin.

"Oh," he said, leering back. "How were we doing?"

Thom licked his lips seductively.

Madoc felt his saddle horn begin to get uncomfortable. "Oh," he repeated, blushing slightly. "I'm sorry I interrupted."

"Don't worry. It'll be better when you're actually there."

'What a beautiful thing to say,' he thought. Madoc's heart melted. "I love you. I'm so glad we're doing this together."

"I love you too. And I'll love you tonight."

Madoc wished they could stop right there and make love, but they both knew it had to wait. Fairly sure there was no one else on the road, Madoc manoeuvred Fleetfire closer to Warrigal and leaned in to give Thom a half- hug and a kiss on the lips. It would have to do for now.

Thom's fantasizing reminded Madoc of his own. "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything. What?"

"What if... what if there was another man...."

"Yes?"

Madoc couldn't bring himself to say anything more.

"Is this about Lennox? Are you wondering what we might get up to?"

He hadn't even considered it. "Uh...."

"If it was you going off to find Lennox, and I went to meet Bastian, I don't think I'd mind if you two fooled around. We've done it before. Do you think differently?"

"No, I suppose not...."

"Then what is it?"

"I was actually thinking of someone we haven't... um...."

"That's a good question. I guess I'm still not used to the idea of not having that ring to keep me by your side. We're going to split up tomorrow and, sure as not, we will after that. It's bound to come up. Do you have any thoughts? It seems you've been agonizing over this."

Madoc thought a second. "I certainly don't regret our time with Lennox, and I don't think I could begrudge you spending more time with him if it should happen, but on the other hand, I don't think I'd like it if you made yourself open to anyone."

"That sounds reasonable. So some people we know are fine, but some unknown others aren't. That sounds like a pretty good rule right there: if it's possible that your mystery man is someone you think I'd be able to meet, and I'd feel the same way about him, then alright.

"So no chance encounters with strangers, because who knows when or if we'll ever see them again, but friends are fine. What do you say?"

Madoc smiled. "Alright."

Thom held out his hand and Madoc shook it. The former thief chuckled.

"But--"

"Yes, Madoc?"

"That's settled, but there was actually someone specific I had in... um, mind."

"Oh? Who is that?"

"Sir Trustan."

"Trustan, Trustan, why do I know-- oh, the one that lout of a palace guard picked a fight with."

Madoc nodded, then described his dream.

Thom shifted in his saddle. "Wow. You really think you could do that with the smallclothes without Weaseling them first?" he wondered.

"Without what?"

"Oh. Tying them so that they come loose ahead of time. Thief's word. Well. ahem That was a good one, but it was only a dream. Is that what worried you?"

Madoc nodded again sheepishly.

"My dear one, you are so sweet. You don't have any control over your dreams. Just try to make sure I'm with you in a few of them too." Thom winked.

"Believe me, you are." Madoc grinned, relieved that Thom was so understanding.

They continued riding south until sunset.

It was after dark and the two men had found a nice, secluded spot to bed down for the night.

Thom dismounted quickly and rushed over to Fleetfire's side.

"Did you want to wait until dinner," Madoc asked, still in the saddle, "or did--"

"Now." Thom said and pulled on Madoc's arm.

Madoc wasn't to be budged from his stirrups so easily, though. He stood in them to dismount. He got his far leg over Fleetfire's rump when Thom yanked again, hard. The big man, now off-balance, pitched forward. He fell off the horse onto Thom, who in turn toppled backwards, landing flat on his back. Fleetfire whinnied and moved away. Madoc came to rest on all fours over Madoc's body.

Madoc laughed. "In a hurry, are we?"

Thom wrestled Madoc over until he was on top. The blond yanked Madoc's tabard out of his belt and pulled it over his head. Breathing heavily (from the exertion), Thom kissed his love - on the chin - in the darkness of the night. From there, he navigated to his mouth, at last tasting the sweet flesh of his lips and then his tongue.

Thom fiddled with the first buckle of the cuirass on the man beneath him. His attention was divided, though, and the fastener was unfamiliar to him and at a bad angle to boot. As his efforts grew more frantic, he grew frustrated and ended the kiss. Some part of the armor pinched Madoc, who tried to sit up suddenly. The two knights bumped heads. Madoc flopped backwards, fingering his forehead and seeing stars. Thom swore.

"Dammit, this isn't working."

"Why are you working so hard, Thom?"

He sighed. "I wanted to live my fantasy from this afternoon. I was looking forward to it."

"It was that good?"

"Oh-h-h-h, yes."

Madoc giggled. "Well, then, first let's rid ourselves of our armor before we kill ourselves. After that we can start a fire so that we might see, and then we can pick up where the dream left off. How does that sound?"

"Very wise." Thom tried to give Madoc an affectionate hug, but Madoc couldn't feel any of the warmth or tenderness in him that made the hug through their armor. "First things first."

They divested themselves of their leathers, conscientiously groomed their mounts and built a small fire.

Madoc lay back while Thom fed the blaze a few random sticks. He still wore the white shirt that had stirred his soul that morning, though it was slightly wilted from the day's ride. He was crouched over slightly, unselfconsciously pointing his ass in Madoc's direction.

"That looks great."

"Which? The fire, or me?"

"The fire, of course," he teased. "Now, what am I to do for your fantasy?"

"Just lie back, and let me do everything."

"That doesn't sound like much fun," Madoc remarked.

"Believe me, you'll have a ball. And I'll have two."

Madoc laughed and lay back, still wearing his loose cream-colored shirt and forest-green hose. Thom swaggered over, resting one knee between his legs.

"No stones under your back?"

"No," Madoc said.

"No spiky plants?"

"None. I looked."

"No poor, defenseless animals trapped beneath that big, beautiful body of yours?"

The dark man laughed and felt heat rise to his face. "I'm sure there aren't any. The only animal touching my body is you."

"Why, thank you." Thom got down on all fours and gazed into his eyes. "Then we can begin."

Madoc saw Thom lean in for their second kiss that evening. It was brief, but full of promise. Madoc closed his eyes and they began in earnest. Thom's tongue licked at Madoc's teeth and palette before getting more friendly with his own.

He could feel Thom untuck his blouse, then reach inside, running his hands up and down Madoc's chest. Thom brushed his lips against his cheekbone before investigating his ear. He took the lobe into his mouth, stimulating it with tongue and teeth.

The fair man's hands dragged his shirttail upward, bunching it in his armpits. Madoc lifted up carefully and Thom stopped long enough to take the tunic off.

Thom hunched down close over Madoc's body, guarding him from the chill of the evening. He ran his tongue into the hollowness behind his clavicle. The Guardsman felt the hot wetness cover all over the surface of his neck. Madoc steeled himself not to move.

When his love moved on to his chest, Madoc felt Thom's heat move straight to his nipple. Careful bites at this sensitive area made Madoc gasp.

He continued sampling, tasting, as if Madoc were some delicate dish presented to him. He mouthed along the edge of his rib cage, laved his taut stomach, lapped at his navel.

There was a brief pause when Thom did not touch him. Madoc peeked in time to see Thom come to collect another kiss. This time Madoc would not remain inactive. He sat up enough to contact Thom's body and wrapped his arms around Thom's neck. His kiss tried to express his gratitude for all the attention Thom was affording him and for just being her with him tonight.

Thom gently pushed Madoc back to the ground. He removed Madoc's boots, then stripped him of his hose and untied the knots on his smallclothes. Madoc couldn't help but notice that aside from his tabard and armor, Thom hadn't lost a stitch of clothing.

He lay there, exposed to the nighttime sky, while Thom studied him in the firelight. The moon and stars were witness to his nakedness, and his erection pointed up to touch them. The cool breezes that rustled the grasses, creating gossipy whispers all around him, also washed over his body, making him shudder.

Finally, Thom kneeled over his crotch. He licked at the insides of his thighs, mouthed at his balls, sucking each one in and fondling it juicily.

Thom gave Madoc's cock sloppy kisses all the way up its base. It reminded him of a flute player he'd seen once. The comparison made Madoc grin. When Thom made it to the end of his instrument, he let out a contented sigh.

He felt the suction drawing the cum from his balls, though it had a way to go yet. The heavy exhaling from Thom's nose as he worked penetrated through his hairs. Madoc's legs twitched. He groaned. He only hoped he did as good a job for Thom.

The former thief's tongue worked like a lockpick, exploring Thom's penis, teasing it, trying to get it to open up. Madoc writhed on the ground as his body acquiesced and his most private, precious treasure was released. Madoc gave all that he had, and Thom greedily took it all.

He lay back, catching his breath, while Thom kissed his now-oversensitive member, and sat back to wait. Soon enough, he sat up.

"Wow," he said.

"Thank you. I enjoyed it." Thom was wearing what Madoc thought of as his cat's grin. The orphanage where he'd grown up had had a mousing cat. Once the cat had gotten into the cream. The cook had chased it onto the cupboard and he just stared down at her, knowing that the human was aware of what he'd done, and not caring. Thom copied that expression exactly.

"Stay right there," Madoc said.

Thom stood with his back to the fire. Madoc stood and walked around to the side of him. The blond turned to face him. Madoc stepped up to him and undid two buttons of that white shirt. He looked even sexier with his chest half exposed like that.

The guard grabbed him about the back and kissed him. He could taste himself from just a minute before. He felt around Thom's back, feeling the bunches of within.

Madoc broke the kiss and leered into Thom's bright, hazel eyes, like rarest marble. He pulled aside the shirt and, with tongue extended, licked at Thom's nipple. Madoc ran his hands sensually down Thom's sides. His hand dragged along his partner's body as Madoc walked behind him. He pressed his naked body against Thom's back and ass. He fondled Thom's chest while he gnawed playfully at his ear. His hands drifted downward to his hips and on to his thighs through the trousers he wore. Thom's ass pushed back to Madoc's dick, which was hardening again. The brunet nibbled at his love's neck as he groped his crotch and inner thighs through the cloth.

Reaching around, Madoc undid the catch of his love's new riding breeches. He reached inside and tugged at Thom's knots until the front panel of his underclothes fell forward out of the fly, his erect cock following after.

Madoc took it completely in his hands, gripping firmly but not squeezing. Thom thrust into them, rubbing his member against his palms and fingers. His head rolled back onto Madoc's shoulder, and the bigger man took the chance to lick at his neck again.

The fire crackled. Thom moaned. Madoc made wet sucking noises against his lover's flesh.

He released the blond's cock with the one hand and kissed his way around his body. The knight kneeled, naked, shining golden on one side, shadowy dark and blue on the other, and he directed his love's cock into his mouth.

He pulled off it several times, dragging his lips along its length while he sucked. Its head was teased by Madoc's dancing tongue, which tried occasionally to burrow inside.

Thom's balls hung out of his pants like fruit to be picked, and Madoc cupped them, running his fingers along the wrinkled, hairy skin, allowing the two precious eggs inside to slide around over his fingertips.

Thom was brushing his hands through Madoc's short hair and breathing heavily. His hips ground somewhat, tickling Madoc's nose with his ample golden bush of curls. The naked knight had a thought which he hoped Thom would enjoy even more.

Madoc let his hands venture right inside Thom's trousers and his fingers found the rosebud of his ass. The former thief gasped. "Yeees," he breathed. The brunet entered him with little difficulty.

Thom's knees gave slightly as he tried to sit more on Madoc's finger. He used his free hand to brace Thom up.

When Madoc finally reached that special spot inside Thom and stroked it just a few times, Thom could hold back no longer. Madoc was rewarded for his work with a spray of hot semen across his tongue and down his throat.

When at last Thom's cock quieted, yielding no more of his seed, Madoc gave it a final lick and extricated his hand. He rose, pressing his own cock into the gap his wrist left and hugged his lover.

Thom kissed him on the cheek and whispered in his ear, "That was fantastic, dear one. I've missed you so badly. I'm not hungry. Can we just lie together like we used to?"

Madoc's heart was lifted by the compliments. "Yes, of course. I don't want to let you go tonight. Let's get the blanket."

"You fetch it and I'll undress, but in a moment." He backed up to look Madoc up and down. "You're so beautiful, inside and out. I'm beside myself with joy. I love you with all my heart, Madoc."

Madoc felt his face flush. "Thank you. You mean so much to me. I love you too; I'd die if I lost you." He hugged Thom again and gave him tender, sweet kisses and held him tight. The blond's cock was hardening again.

"We'd better get the blanket or we'll be at this all night," he teased.

The two prepared for bed and wrapped themselves in Madoc's magic blanket. They lay, together once more, and talked a while before drifting to sleep.

On the morning of the second day Thom and Madoc parted company once more, Thom to find Lennox, and Madoc to continue onward to Karelia to meet Sir Bastian. He tried very hard not to think that he'd never see Thom again.

On his third day out from Aragon. Madoc passed through the town of Cairncross. A couple of people recognized him and waved hello. It seemed the town was still thriving even with the loss of their local wizard. He hoped the town would not suffer. It had only been two weeks, after all.

Madoc was somewhat disappointed that neither Melydia nor any member of her family that he recognized was around. He had wanted to see how she was doing as well, but he could not tarry long. Though he had been making good time, he had an appointment to keep. He hied Fleetfire southward out of the town.

That evening, just outside the tiny hamlet of Tartallon, which was even smaller than Cairncross, the knight came to an inn which was named the Thief's Ring. Madoc smiled and thought of Thom.

It was getting dark, and with his new status as a knight-errant, he was entitled to stay at an inn. Why not?

He drove Fleetfire to the stables where a young man took his horse and his armor, promising to deliver the latter to his room. He stepped inside the door.

Five large tables filled the common room downstairs. A small bar lined the wall on his left and a staircase led up to the right. The fire was in the wall behind him and the door to the kitchens stood opposite the door he filled. The walk upstairs gave way to three or four rooms upstairs. There were not a lot of patrons around, but it was still early yet. The place seemed to have an excellent location: a whole number of days' ride from Aragon, and near the farmers of Cairncross.

He sat down at a table and waited for a serving wench. She arrived and Madoc ordered any kind of fruit juice, if they had it, or otherwise watered wine.

After a few minutes, a large man, taller than Madoc, approached him with a smile on his face. "Hadrian!" he bellowed.

Oh, no. This must have been one of the servants from Tybalt's manse. Madoc began to explain. "I'm sorry, you've made a mistake--"

"Oh, no mistake. I remember you quite well, Hadrian, sir." He gave Madoc a strong pat on the back. "It wasn't that long ago. How have you been? Where's your manservant, Thom?"

Thom was certainly going to hear about this. "Really, sir, I'm not who you think I am. I'm a knight. I--"

"I was just wondering about that," the tall stranger said. "You didn't join up with King Dunstan's army, did you, looking for adventure?"

Madoc tried again. "My name is not Hadrian. I am--"

"Here is your grape juice, Hadrian," said a female voice behind him.

Madoc turned to this new misguided person. She was a young woman, not the mature girl that had taken his order. She had long dark hair, and a knowing twinkle in her eye.

"Melydia!" he said with relief. He turned to the man. "And you're Rab. I knew you looked familiar but I couldn't place you. What are you doing here?"

"This is our new inn. After you delivered the mirror to that scoundrel, Eleazar, my family came into a small windfall. That meant my father could hire help for the farms and Rab and I could start our new life."

"The old owner passed away some months ago, and the place had been boarded up," Rab continued. "No one in Tartallon wanted it. They all have farms or businesses of their own. It was quite a stroke of luck."

"And the name of the place," Madoc asked. "That's the ring I used on Thom, right?"

Rab looked confused. Melydia leaned in. "That's it exactly, Madoc," she said, patting his hand. "You've both been very good to us, getting us free of Tybalt. We figured it was the least we could do."

"How has business been?"

"Not bad so far," Rab said. "It's actually been rather slow tonight. You'd be surprised how many travellers come begging for a room because they don't notice this place is an inn again."

"It's taken a lot of work," Melydia said, sitting down. "The Ring was in need of a lot of repairs. Rab did all the carpentry work."

"Ah, but the place is a success because you know how to manage it," her fiance replied. He looked at Madoc. "I only know how to take care of horses."

Madoc laughed. Melydia kissed Rab. "So if any of our guests turn into horses' asses, I know who to call," she said.

"Of course, my love." Rab kissed her back. "I really should apologize, Madoc. Melydia wanted to play that trick on you."

"Oh," she said, and gave him a playful slap on the shoulder. "Only because it's so easy." She winked. "But truly, when Jinna brought an order for just grape juice, I figured something was odd. I hope it's alright. We got it for any travellers with little children."

Madoc smiled. "It's fine."

"Now that I think of it, I don't suppose any knights that may come by would take a stronger drink. And it would be better for the staff to drink it rather than wine. Perhaps we should keep a supply.... Pardon me. Sometimes I get to thinking about things and can't stop."

"Where is Thom?" Rab asked, obviously hating to ask the question. "Is he--?"

Madoc explained how the trial went behind closed doors, and about their current mission.

"Is the king trying to kill you?" Melydia asked.

"We don't think so. More a matter of proving our true worth if we're to work together... and to see if Thom is serious," Madoc added, compelled by honesty. "If he doesn't run from this assignment, he won't ever run."

Melydia looked directly into Madoc's eyes. "You have complete confidence, don't you?"

"Of course," the knight said.

"Good. I don't think it's misplaced."

"My love," Rab said, taking Melydia's hand, "could I speak to you alone?"

"Of course, Rab. Jinna? Would you find out what Sir Madoc would take for dinner?" The girl came back to the table. "We'll be back shortly." The couple left.

Jinna recited the evening's menu: steak or a thick stew. Madoc took the steak with vegetables. She left and Madoc sipped his juice. He wondered why Rab would ask to speak to Melydia so suddenly.

He looked over to where they were conversing. Soon Rab noticed him staring and smiled at him. He blushed and ducked out the door to where the stables were.

Melydia came back his way and sat down. She looked around. He copied her. There were no other patrons nearby.

"Rab has a favor to ask of you, but he's shy about it to be asking himself."

"What is it?"

She sighed unsure of where to start. "Thom told me... that you and he... were like Rab and I in how feel about each other. Yes?"

"Er, yes," the knight said, keeping his voice low.

"In feeling and... in body?"

Madoc looked downwards and blushed.

"So yes. I wouldn't worry, Sir Madoc. If the one is true, then the physical part is only natural, don't you think?"

"I suppose...."

"We'll leave that be for now. I told this to Rab - I was sure you wouldn't mind - and he's been thinking about you two. Quite a lot."

Madoc thought he knew where this was heading.

"Tonight, he's asked me if you and Thom would...." She lowered her voice considerably. "...Show him."

"You mean, in front of him?"

"No, with him. He wants to know what it's like. Would you two be able to come back sometime?"

"I'm sure Thom would think that fine, but I don't know when we could. We have no way of knowing when we would be back this way. Kraid could be anywhere. And as you say, we may not survive."

Melydia nodded solemnly.

Madoc thought. His and Thom's conversation about other people was about situations like this. Thom had said anyone the other man could meet. Thom had already met Rab. That would mean he had permission.

"Are you certain this will sit well with you, Melydia? It's a strange thing to ask."

Melydia raised her eyebrows. "What, should I be jealous? He's spoken only to me about this, and you, I imagine, can only do things I can't really do. There are some things in common, to be sure, but it's still not the same."

Madoc felt his face flush at the frank talk.

"You are entirely too cute, Sir Madoc," she said, raising his chin again. "I can see why he wants to try it. I know that even if he enjoys himself, he won't look for anyone else. He knows he can trust you, and he can't trust anyone else that way. I also know that he very much enjoys laying with me. I'm not going to be losing him. I have nothing to worry about.

"What's important is whether this is alright with you and Thom."

"Right now," Madoc explained, "Thom is searching for a man who was a captive of the Marauders, and who... we have been with." The words came very hard for the knight. "We agreed that including friends was fine by us. Together or separately."

Melydia looked surprised. "Do you mean to say...?"

Madoc nodded. "There's the chance he won't get another time, as much as I hate to say it."

"Huh," she said. "I'll go tell him." Melydia stroked his shoulder. "Thank you."

She headed off to the stables. Madoc didn't see either of them until after he'd eaten his steak.

The knight pulled out his seal and meal ticket for payment. Jinna was confused until Rab came over to explain.

"This is better than coin, lass. This goes right against our taxes. I'll take that and set it aside. Consider the knight's meal and lodging paid for."

Jinna curtsied and left.

"The ticket is only for the food, you know," Madoc corrected.

"I know. Melydia said naming this place after you was the least we could do. I refuse to stop at the least we can do. You and Thom can stay here as our friends whenever you're nearby, not as our guests, no matter what I decide about tonight." He grinned.

"Are you certain? I don't want you to feel that you need to do anything tonight if you don't want to, if it's too sudden...."

Rab looked tense, though he smiled. "I can always find some reason to put it off. I'll see how far I can go." He held up the ticket and went upstairs.

Madoc nursed his juice while he thought. Thom had said that it was alright, and Melydia had no objections. Still Madoc couldn't help but feel that he was violating a trust somewhere.

Madoc had no romantic feelings for Rab. He was still very much in love with Thom, and Rab certainly loved Melydia. This was just... curiosity.

He also had no delusions about what Thom and Lennox would get up to if Thom found Lennox. They would probably fool around. It didn't bother him in the least. He just wished he could be there. It was his being with Rab that bothered him. It should be okay. He wanted it to be okay. But he had to keep telling himself it was okay.

At this point, Madoc wasn't sure who would be more nervous tonight: himself or Rab.

Madoc waited, chatting with the staff until the main room was ready to close for the night. There were no disputes to settle, no petty thieves to chase that night. The suspense was hell on his nerves.

Finally Melydia and Rab came and collected him. "I'll show you to your room now, Sir Madoc," Melydia said.

They climbed the stair and went straight ahead at the top. Melydia and Rab's room was right over the kitchen.

Melydia went in first. "Allow me to fetch a couple of my things," she said, gathering a hairbrush and various other toiletries, "and I'll be out of your way."

"You won't be coming back later tonight?" Madoc asked.

"Of course not," she said easily. "I need my sleep, you know, and I wouldn't know what to do with myself while I waited. I'll simply take what would have been your room, goodknight. I make sure I'd be comfortable in any of our guest rooms." Her apron pockets were bulging with her possessions. She began blowing out candles around the room, leaving only one dim one near the bed and one by the door. She kissed Rab on the cheek and went to the door.

"You boys play nice now," she admonished.

Both men blushed.

Melydia blew out the candle near the door. Madoc watched her silhouette leave and close the door behind her.

They stood motionless for a moment.

Madoc studied Rab in the dim light. The knight was tall at 6'2", but Rab was taller still by almost half a foot. He had unruly, light brown hair and fawn brown eyes. He had a body and build fit for dealing with defiant horses. His head was hung down and he seemed to be breathing hard.

Madoc walked over to him. It wasn't a trick of the candlelight; his hands were shaking. Madoc took them. "Why don't you sit down."

Rab seated himself on the edge of the bed. Madoc sat next to him, but not too close yet. "Why don't you tell me a little about yourself? I didn't get much of a chance to meet you in Cairncross. I don't even know your last name."

"Andrewsson. My father was a money-counter for Lord Norfald, and my mother, a maid-in-waiting. My older brother, Vid, is the moneycounter there now. I haven't seen him in a long time." He still looked downward.

"I worked in the stables there until I was eighteen. Then Tybalt stayed as a guest of the Lord and took a liking to me. Norfald offered my services, so I went with him.

"Of course, that was where I met Melydia." Rab smiled.

"When will the wedding be?"

"In a month. It'll be in Cairncross. All of Melydia's family will be there."

"Yours won't?" Madoc asked.

"My brother is the only family I have left, and we've never gotten along. He was the one who could do Father's job and I was just an ostler."

"Just because you're good with figures doesn't mean you're not smart, or a good person."

Rab grinned again. "Melydia tells me the same thing."

Madoc moved closer and set his hand on Rab's shoulder. Rab looked up. Madoc pulled the giant into an embrace, which Rab returned. They looked at each other for a moment. Madoc brought his lips to Rab's and gave him a friendly kiss. Rab blushed and giggled.

"Are you alright?" Madoc asked.

"Aye. That's just so... strange."

"Would you like to do it again?"

"Aye."

Rab met him halfway this time and they kissed more strongly. They lay back on the bed as they held each other. They broke the kiss and laughed.

"How was that?" Madoc asked.

"That was great," Rab whispered. "I'm ready for more."

Madoc tilted his head this time more sharply and pressed with his tongue. Rab's eyes opened wide, but he allowed Madoc in. Madoc's hands roamed around Rab's back as they tongue-kissed. The stablemaster gripped his legs closer to Madoc's. When they stopped, they were breathing heavily.

Rab's eyes were shining. He lunged at the knight's face, causing him to recoil. This time Rab's tongue invaded his mouth. The guard wasn't expecting this kind of enthusiasm. The giant rolled halfway on top of him and held his head. The brunet's tongue toyed with Madoc's, causing him to grip Rab closer still.

The ostler was beaming proudly when he was done. Madoc thought it was probably safe to move on. "Ready for the next part?"

"I think so."

Madoc stood up. He removed his riding boots and arranged them neatly off to one side. He heard Rab slip off his sandals and let them fall to the floor. (Boots from the stable would not be appropriate in here.) Next, Madoc undid his belt and pulled his tunic off over his head. Rab was almost done removing his own shirt when he turned back.

Rab's shirttail cleared his head - and he gasped. The knight looked down.

He wore no more than hose and smallclothes now. The bulge at his crotch was quite noticeable, and the guard was completely erect.

It looked like Rab's confidence was shaken. Kissing was fine. He'd kissed before. Everything else would be different and strange.

Madoc padded back to the bed. He sat down, facing his friend, and put a hand on his arm.

"We don't need to do this."

"I know, but I still want to."

They kissed again. The knight molded his body back into Rab's as they lay back down. The stablemaster's hairy chest scratched Madoc's smooth one.

Madoc couldn't tell anything about how aroused Rab was. He was still wearing thick canvas trousers, while the knight's clingy hose were almost like wearing nothing at all.

The giant explored the broad expanse of featureless skin of the Guardsman's back, while Madoc undid the catch of Rab's pants. The bigger man allowed himself to be distracted while the knight finished undressing him. He pulled the waistband down to mid-buttock and Rab rolled over to let it come off the rest of the way.

Now Madoc could see the shape of the ostler's cock, pushing at the cloth of his brief shorts away from his body. His hand came to rest on Rab's bare thigh.

The bigger man put Madoc in a bear hug and pulled him up on top of himself. He kissed the knight again, going straight for the tongue.

Madoc couldn't believe it. He held the giant tight, and felt him thrust against him, grinding their cocks together.

Madoc pulled back to say, "You're really getting into the spirit of this, aren't you?"

"Once I have my mind set on something," Rab said, pulling Madoc's hose down, "I let nothing hold me back."

The two muscular men ground their bodies together, with tongues invading mouths and fingers massaging flesh. The bed groaned from the weight of them.

They paused for breath. Madoc reached between them and untied the drawstring at the stablemaster's waist. Rab put his head back. His breathing became more ragged. The knight looked at him. Saying you'll do something is different from actually doing it. Rab was putting a lot of pressure on himself.

Madoc ran his fingers through his chest hair and stroked his head of hair to try to get him to relax. When he seemed calmer, the guard worked the undershorts off the rest of the way.

Madoc paused. Rab was hung like a horse. His cock was noticeably longer than either his or Thom's; it must have been eight inches. It curved dramatically toward his stomach. Madoc looked up to see Rab watching him.

Making no sudden moves, he laid his hand on the giant's member. The brunet inhaled and shifted slightly. There was a small amount of precum, which the knight collected with his thumb. He spread it carefully across the head. Rab jerked, so he stopped.

Rab's breathing was labored. He stared straight up at the ceiling, and they lay there, frozen in place, the knight's hand still cradling the other's cock. He sighed and looked down again and Madoc's hand, then at his face.

Madoc tried to reassure him with his eyes. Moving forward or backing off could cause Rab to balk. All he could do was wait for the ostler to collect his courage to continue.

"Can I--?" the stablemaster asked, pointing at Madoc's smallclothes.

`Good,' he thought, and lay next to Rab. The giant undid the garment and cast eyes upon Madoc fully naked.

Where Rab was curved, Madoc was straight as a rail, pointing right at the roof. The bigger man reached out, just touching Madoc's penis with his fingertips.

"It's alright," the guard said. "Don't be shy."

He took Madoc's cock into his hand in a nice firm grip, like a good handshake, not strangling it. The knight smiled and grasped Rab's cock the same way. Madoc's member was all but lost in the ostler's big fist, while Madoc couldn't get all of Rab into his hand.

The knight rubbed Rab's wetness over his member, the giant reciprocated, and soon they had begun a nice friendly jack-off session.

The guard slid over to touch his friend at the hip and draped his free arm around the other's neck. They leaned in and kissed as they stroked each other's hardness. The ostler's tongue pierced Madoc's lips and he groaned contentedly.

Rab moved down to Madoc's exposed neck and licked at it. It made the knight gasp. The nerves in his neck were singing. He had no idea that was such a sensitive spot. He writhed on the bed. Rab's cock was almost forgotten until Madoc reminded himself to keep up the pace. It felt as though fire was coursing through his chest. He felt he was getting entirely to close to release and he still had plans for Rab.

Madoc backed off, saying, "That was incredible. How did you know how to do that?"

"Well," he said, "someone else I know likes it a lot."

"Ah. But now there's something I'd like to show you."

The knight crawled over Rab's crotch. His cock was quivering from the blood pumping through it. He glanced at Rab's face, to see the look that told him the bigger man was wondering if he was really about to do what he thought he would do.

Madoc kissed Rab's cock at the outside of the pronounced curve it had. He travelled upward, tracing his tongue across the skin until he was licking at the slit. Madoc tasted the salt of Rab's juices and smacked his lips. The knight eased the head into his mouth, using his hand to bend it to a more advantageous angle. His tongue explored all of the tip of the horse- handler's penis. He tickled the soft flesh of the head, and the small fold of skin left him from his childhood surgery.

The giant's size, coupled with his curve, impeded the guardsman's freedom. It wasn't thicker than, say, Thom, thank goodness, but it was plenty long.

Madoc turned around so that he faced Rab's feet. `That monster of a cock should better fit into my gullet this way,' he thought.

He set in again, this time using the shape to fit his throat more naturally. He inched more of it in as his tendency to gag became more forgiving.

The ostler had been breathing heavily, with his head hanging off the edge of the bed. Now Madoc wasn't in a position to see. Every time the knight made headway down his member, Rab gave a strangled cry, like he wanted to moan out loud, but didn't want to wake anyone.

As he was nearing the base, he felt a hand pull his cock back between his legs. One hand rested itself on his back and the other milked his cock. Madoc spread his knees and arched his back to make things easier.

He felt Rab shift up slightly under him. His mouth attached itself to Madoc's member. He heard a gasp from the shadows near the door. The mouth drifted down, always kissing and licking, until it enveloped the head.

Madoc reached back and pushed down on Rab's chest, easing him off, and swung a leg over his body so that he was right over top of the stablemaster. Rab took up his place again and began to teach himself how to suck a cock.

He never ventured far from the head, but he seemed a natural, pleasuring Madoc without needing any instruction.

The two hulking men pleasured each other, bodies moving in tandem, gently shifting up and down as the tension built.

The knight reached the end of his quest as he managed to bury his face in the hair around the ostler's balls. For a brief moment he couldn't breathe, but he had claimed all of his friend. Rab grunted and thrust up, lodging his shaft down the knight's throat. The horse-handler pumped a healthy amount of seed into Madoc's throat, three times, four, five....

Madoc smacked Rab's stomach and hiked his ass up, trying to pull out of his mouth. Rab let go, and fell back against the bed. The knight humped the air as he shot over the giant's hairy chest. He held the man's cock in his mouth as he spread his essence all over.

Finally, sated, he sagged on all fours and released his friend. He rolled over off of him and turned, coming to rest at his side.

Rab was staring, wide-eyed at the ceiling.

"Did you have fun?" Madoc asked.

Rab laughed. "I didn't think I'd do it, but...." He sighed.

"Something just came over you?" Madoc asked, trailing a finger through Rab's damp chest hair.

The ostler laughed again. "Something like that. Thank you, my friend. I'll never forget tonight." He started to sit up.

"I wager Melydia will never forgive me if we let the sheets get soiled. Stay there. I'll clean you up."

He found the washbasin in the dark, and wetted and wrung out a cloth. He wiped the giant down until he was presentable, in a sense, again.

"I need to sleep soon, Sir Madoc. This was a hell of a lot of fun, but innkeepers need to get up early." He got up and stood beside the bed.

Madoc watched the naked giant turn down the sheets. He wanted to touch Rab's beautiful body as he performed this simple task, but wasn't sure how he'd take it. Instead, he thought of the story he'd have to tell Thom when they met again in Karelia.

The knight turned down his side of the bed. Rab blew out the candle and they climbed into bed. The bed creaked.

Madoc lay straight out, keeping to his side, unsure of what was going through Rab's mind. The ostler gave his arm a friendly touch. Spurred on, he reached across and returned the gesture. A deep laugh escaped from Rab's chest as he pulled Madoc closer into a hug.

"Thank you," he murmured again.

"You're welcome to it, Rab, anytime."

They settled like spoons, the knight on the inside, which felt strange, but wonderful. He smiled in the darkness. Later he heard Rab snore lightly, and then someone sneaking out of the room.

Rab awoke before Madoc did. He couldn't help but disturb the bed as he got up.

The knight blinked in the dark room. The shutters were open. The sun hadn't quite risen yet.

"Are you awake, Sir Madoc?" Rab whispered.

"Yes," he mumbled.

"You may as well lay there a while," the ostler said, putting on his shorts. "I need to heat water for our guests. There's no reason for you to be up."

"That's good," Madoc replied and rolled over.

"Did you sleep well? Some people don't sleep well in a strange bed."

"It was fine, Rab. Don't worry about it." Beds were all strange to him.

"Alright. Melydia and I will be busy most of the morning, but don't leave without at least saying goodbye."

"I won't, I promise."

"See you in a bit, then," Rab said, and slipped out the door in only sandals and shorts.

Madoc lay there in a semi-sleep state verging on wakefulness, letting time pass. He was aware when Rab returned to change the water in the basin, but the stablemaster must have guessed he was asleep. He didn't come fully awake until Melydia came in to collect the sheets.

"Time to get up, Sir Madoc. We don't want any layabouts around here. I need those blankets."

"Do you treat all your guests with such dignity?"

"Only the ones who stay in my room. Come now, goodknight, your washing water is getting cold." She pulled off the top quilt, leaving Madoc with only a cotton sheet to cover him.

"Do I get no privacy?" he groused, "or should I just throw off the sheet and prepare to meet the day?"

"Why, Sir Madoc! I'm betrothed. That would hardly be proper," she teased.

"Even after last night? I'd wager there's little left to see, save more of the same by daylight."

Melydia's demeanor became suddenly serious. "You knew?"

"You were not completely quiet," Madoc said matter-of-factly.

"Are you angry?"

Madoc paused. She had to have been just as curious about the whole thing as Rab himself was. "No. I understand why you tarried, I think. Does Rab know?"

"No. Well, not that I know...."

"I wouldn't concern myself. I've always been observant. It's much of my job."

"You won't tell him, will you?"

"Not unless he asks. I won't give out the fact, but I'll not lie to him either."

"That's fair, I suppose. I'll give you your privacy here. Thank you for being so understanding."

"Think nothing of it."

"I'll be back shortly for the sheets." She closed the door so that she wasn't inside the room.

Madoc rose, stretched, scratched and washed.

After saying goodbye to the young couple, and getting an invitation to their wedding in a month's time for himself and Thom, the knight rode the last leg of his journey to Karelia, arriving by late afternoon.

He went straight to the King's Outpost, where he was to meet Sir Bastian.

The warlock had not arrived yet, so the sergeant suggested a tavern nearby where he could get something to drink, and wait.

Madoc sensed that this was a popular place among guardsmen; his order of fruit juice (or else watered wine) didn't even raise an eyebrow. "With the guardhouse just up the road and the Temple of Talvaed around the corner, I keep lemonade and juice all through the Chaser Summer," the barman explained.

The near-end of summer had seen its usual wave of heat, and the tavern was quite full. He took his drink and tried to seek out a table.

"Hail, goodknight!"

Madoc looked around to see who called out to him. A young man in the back corner held his hand aloft and held his gaze. An empty chair awaited at his side. When the guard moved his way, the bar patron smiled. He looked around 28, with black hair and brown eyes. He looked merry, meaning halfway to drunk.

"Do you know me, goodman?" Madoc asked when he neared the table.

"I think I don't. My name is Braghan Deckler." He held out his hand.

"Sir Madoc. I thank you for directing me to this seat."

"It was nothing. I'm always happy to help out one of the King's Men."

A warning bell pealed in Madoc's mind.

"What you're thinking may be wrong," Braghan said as he smiled. "I've seen that look before. Right now, you think that I have committed some misdeed and am looking for a way out, or else you think I am trouble. If the first, I can only assure you that you're wrong. If the second, you're right, though it's no fault of my own.

"I'm a messenger, and though I do all I can to be sure whatever I may take in charge isn't stolen, trouble follows me anyway. If a guardsman remembers seeing me someplace at a certain time, it may be of help later on, though I can never guess why." He chuckled.

Madoc wondered if he would regret taking this chair. "What deliveries have you made of late?"

"A note last night, no problems. However, I took a wedding gift from a merchant in Quayton to a young heiress here, but the wedding had been broken off. Her father found his son-in-law-to-be philandering in a brothel. He chased me up and down the streets. It was in certainty no fault of my own that this happened while I travelled. Every year I live at this job, I age two."

"Then why don't you find something else?" Madoc asked.

"Don't think I've not tried," Braghan said, still grinning, "but I am Katusha's plaything, bless Her and curse Her.

"Katusha blows against your back, In life for naught you'll ever lack. Katusha blows into your face, In life your lot is but disgrace."

After reciting the children's rhyme, he said, "I get Her from both sides. Better to have a job where I can pick up and run when I need to."

"At least you have a healthy spirit about it all."

"I have to, else I'll go mad." He winked. "Now you, I believe I have heard of. Sir Madoc of Fieldgate, is it not? The youngest to make the High Guard in our kingdom's many years? I'm honored to know you."

"How do you--"

"As I said, I enjoy the company of Guardsmen. They tell stories. You are something of a legend."

Madoc was speechless.

"Didn't you know?"

"Ah, no, I didn't."

"If half the things I've heard are true, then I could not be in safer hands. What brings you to Karelia?"

Madoc hesitated. Might this man be associated with Kraid? That would explain why he knows so much. Perhaps this was a ploy. "I'd rather not say."

"Ah, important business. I'll not ask again. Then may I know the last task you were set to?"

Madoc was about to tell the prepared story of the capture of the Dark Rogue, when Braghan suddenly clutched Madoc's arm.

"I'm your prisoner, just in case, please," he whispered, hurriedly. His eyes were on the door. Three burly men were scanning the room.

"Do you know what they want?" Madoc asked.

"No, but I see my name on them. The only mystery is why."

"There he is!" one brute yelled, pointing straight at Braghan.

They stormed over and grabbed him by the collar. "Come on, loverboy. Sarita's father wants to talk to you."

Braghan looked desperately to Madoc.

"May I ask what this is about?" he asked.

"This kid's been seeing our boss's daughter. He wants to meet him."

"I haven't been seeing her! I only delivered a note to her last night!" Braghan protested. "I only arrived in town but two days ago."

"Then who sent the note?"

"I don't know him. He only hired me, and if I did know, I'd not lead you to him."

"Then we'll just take you instead, unless this here's your prisoner, goodknight?" Braghan pleaded with Madoc with his eyes.

The young man winced as Madoc said, "He's not, but neither can I let you simply drag him off."

"We ain't about to hurt him. We only want to talk."

"No matter," Madoc began. "You cannot detain--"

The knight was interrupted when Braghan stomped on the foot of the thug who held him. He twisted out of his grip and shoved him. The thug fell backward and the messenger ran.

The brute crashed into what looked like a mercenary behind him, who shoved back.

Madoc watched helplessly as the barroom brawl spread before his eyes. "Hold it right there," he commanded the mercenary. The soldier just grinned a half-toothed smile and swung at Madoc. The knight was quicker than that though, grabbed his arm and wrenched it around, flipping the assailant onto his back.

By now the room was in chaos. There were three Talvaedean sages, trying to convince fighters to stop and getting ignored. Two guards were breaking up the fight in their corner while a herald was ushering any innocents outside. The barman had pulled a club out from under the counter and was cracking heads. Madoc looked for Braghan.

He spotted the hapless young man heading for the door, pursued by one of the thugs. The knight waded through the melee in that direction. He heard the whistle for the city patrol. They'd arrive soon.

The thug caught up with Braghan and pulled out a knife. Madoc saw no more because a large man stepped in front of him. He held a broken bottle in his hand. The man jabbed at Madoc, and the guard jumped back.

He scooped up a discarded chair and pointed it at the other man, legs first. He swung it at his foe's midsection, but he was too far. The man dodged easily, but one leg connected with the bottle, shattering what was left of it. Only the neck remained. The man tried to run, but he got too close to the barman, who thumped him. The fat man was out cold.

Madoc waved a quick thanks his way and looked to see where Braghan was.

He found the thug who'd been following him lying on the ground, moaning and clutching his head, but the courier was nowhere in sight. It seemed he got away.

Just then, Madoc noticed a very high-pitched keening sound above the noise from the fight. Madoc covered his ears.

"Adzurae ignita!"

Blue flames crept along the ceiling above Madoc where he was crouched over the brute's body. The knight heard swearing, bodies hitting the floor and screams. The eerie blue fire covered the whole of the room, and most of its occupants were now hiding under tables, the brawl forgotten in the panic.

The man responsible for the fire stood in the doorway, arms raised. His brown hair hung down his back in a long ponytail. He wore a yellow tabard with a black dragon over a black robe, with black buskins. Dunstan's special stable of guards, then, from his colors.

The flames disappeared from overhead and the city patrol rushed in to arrest the brawlers.

Madoc got to his feet and approached the wizard. "Are you Sir Bastian?"

"I am. You are Sir Madoc of Fieldgate?"

"Yes. That was most impressive, what you did there."

"It was effective for stopping the fight. We'll talk later. For now, we must deal with this business. I hope for our mission's sake that you're not the sort of person whom trouble follows wherever he goes." The mage strode off to see to some of the fallen patrons.

Madoc hoped, for the sake of their mission, that Sir Bastian was not usually as haughty as that, and also that Braghan didn't cross their path again.

It was going to be a long afternoon.

Author's Note: Well, finally.

Regular readers will have noticed that this piece of the story was much longer in coming than the rest have been. Up until now, they have been appearing in this archive every three weeks like clockwork. This one is only about a month late.

I could make excuses, and they'd be good ones: This story is the longest one so far, and in the time that I've been trying to produce this story, I've taken my first vacation in many years, changed residences, changed banks, broke up with someone who meant, and still means, a lot to me and came out to my old roommates, friends of mine from school. About the only thing that hasn't happened to me is losing my job. I've been busy.

The real reason that this story has been so late is that I've come to realize that, yes, I could continue to produce this story on a three-week schedule, but not with all this life happening around me, and by relentlessly pounding out story, I'm missing it. I have too many other good things to do to focus on Thom and Madoc alone.

I have other hobbies and other obligations, and my thread of ideas is running dry. While I do have some thoughts as to what will happen in Lennox's part of the story, and a lot of what I write is done on the fly, I think the quality is suffering because I'm pushing too hard.

I'm not stopping. Not entirely. I've got too much planned to just quit now. But I have to let things build up again before I can write this the way I like.

Speaking of which, the next part of the story is about Lennox. I've gotten two people who've said that they don't like him much, and one who's said he's a favorite character. Let me know what you think. We're kinda stuck with him at this point, but some tinkering is possible before I get all the way into his head.

Wow. No wonder this thing is 90+K. I do go on, don't I?

Final words: I will be back, but not necessarily soon. Keep an eye out. Nifty is one of this pfantazm's favorite haunts.