Tyler cursed under his breath. It would be more suspicious if he was caught trying to run now. He got up, mind scrambling for an excuse. If he was lucky, he could make it appear like he was only just exiting this room, so wouldn’t know anything of what transpired in the next room.

He inhaled a deep breath and turned, explanation ready on his tongue.

And found himself facing Kenwicke’s bondsman – the one he met earlier.

Shocked countenance mirrored his own.

Even from the four-yard distance between them, Tyler could detect an ocean of emotions in the other’s dark, swirling depths, amongst which he could place fear, anxiety and even shame.

If this was a friend being forced upon, Tyler would not hesitate to give the assailant a good thrashing. But as it were, an Echelon was involved, and Tyler had no idea what their arrangement was like, only that it was suddenly apparent to him, that this bondsman was also a Torch. There could be no other reason why Fenwicke would dress him up so lavishly otherwise.

The fact that Tyler’s fate rooted in the same line of fire with him, was bitter revelation to swallow – he’d be damned if Kovan ever tried coercing him in the waywardness of flesh. As if it was not enough to put their lives on the line for their coffers. It was added insult, and utterly degrading, not to have a choice on their bed partners.

Tyler felt the beginnings of anger stirring inside his blood. As if he was the one just beset in such unfavorable exchange with the offending Echelon. If Tyler was in his place, he would not take it obediently nor so quietly. Fight he would, like fiery desert hounds facing their ensnarers. And fight he was fully willing, on behalf of this bondsman, as fierce as wolves would for their pack, even though the bonds between them were as thin as the namesake of their service bond as Torches.

However, he could do nothing for the moment, seeing dread cling to the tightness of the other’s jaw and lips. It was obvious the other Torch did not want to be found out. And the shock of stumbling upon such horridness, wrought a foul taste on his tongue, so rancorous that Tyler wasn’t sure he could address the issue without blowing his temper. The last they needed was for him to lose his cool.

Tyler swallowed hard, thick lump of fire burning all the way down to his gut, forcing himself to keep calm and feign ignorance, at least till he got a better grip on his emotions. Instead, he did the only thing he could do.

“Oh, you scared me, I didn’t think anyone was here,” he lied, heart galloping like the heavy winds. He then lightly kicked the beaded curtains for extra show. “Curse these trinklets –nearly tripped and cracked my skull.”

The other Torch lightened considerably, and exhaled with much relief.

“Be careful, if you get injured, you’ll be unable to race,” his tone took a somber note like he bought into Tyler’s words.

Tyler could clap himself in the back for his acting, but then again, lying wasn’t something to be proud of.

His next question however, held a hint of caution.

“What are you doing back here anyway?”

“Waiting, for my owner,” he pointed backward with his thumb, “Somewhere in the room further back, discussing something with our host. Anyway, I was just leaving – I have need to relieve myself… though I’m not quite sure where.”

The young man’s shoulders dropped completely, all at once at complete ease, buying into Tyler’s story completely.

“I’ll show you the way, if you would follow me,” he made a half turn facing the way out the corridor, beckoning him with a crook of his head.

Tyler was slightly taken back that the other knew, and even bothered to offer showing the way. His brief contact with the other Torches thus far, had been disheartening enough for Tyler to be sure they knew nothing of common civility towards their fellow men. To come to think of it, this Torch seemed to be the only one all night who didn’t glare daggers at him.

“You’ve been here before?” Tyler asked as he hurried to close their distance.

The Torch gave a slight nod and started down the path.

“This is my already fourth season of racing. And since I’d started, Hector has always been the one hosting the opening party.”

Tyler was stunned. He didn’t think anyone wanted to compete as a Torch for more than a season. He fell alongside in pace, and snuck side glances at the slightly taller man, studying him.

The Torch was slim and lean, like him, but his height stretched out his muscles, so he looked lankier, and less bulky. Still, his form fitting encrusted top had a wide, plunging ‘V’ neckline that flaunted the faint lines of his pectoral muscles. And the cuffs of his cropped, embroidered pants ended at the knees, giving rise to a distinct swell of muscled calves. There was no mistaking his fitness despite his skinnier form.

His jawline was narrow, eyes and hair dark and average, but his facial structure leaned towards the attractive. Tyler was certain when Kenwicke snubbed him, he had been comparing him to his Torch as much as he compared him to Kovan.

“Are you trying to guess my age?”

Tyler gave a sheepish smile, seeing the amused light in the other’s eyes.

“Yes,” he admitted, among other things, he quietly thought to himself.

“Then, what do you see?”

“Slightly older than me, I guess. Maybe two or three years after twenty.”

The other Torch gave laugh that told him he couldn’t be more wrong.

“I’m already just one year shy of thirty.”

At Tyler’s balled eyes, he laughed again and added, “I’m old, aren’t I? For a Torch. Even when I started, I was at the late age. Guess that’s why I usually place last. I just can’t keep up with the younger ones.”

They reached the end of the corridor and crossed back to the main disk where majority of the party folks were. However, instead of rejoining the pool of people, the other made a right turn, slinking along the outer rim.

“Speaking of which, your placement was pretty impressive. Especially your performance. It was a good show, shooting six places like that.”

His voice weaved into the noise of the crowd, but he drew closer to Tyler, head dipping lower so his words were still audible, reaching him faintly.

Catching them, Tyler was surprised.

“Why do you sound like you are praising me?”

They turned into another narrow walkway that joined to another disk that was partitioned in a manner similar to the previous one. As they did, the other quirked an eyebrow.

“Why do you sound like you have reason to doubt me?”

“Given the animosity I have been blessed thus far by the other Torches,” Tyler pointed out, “I believe I do.”

The other gave a knowing laugh.

“Can’t blame them – we are all obstacles to each other, hindering the path to freedom.”

“Doesn’t kill to be civil,” Tyler cast him a pointed look, “Like you.”

The taller man slid a gaze downwards, somewhat cynical, matching the twisted curve of his lips.

“Only because I have no chance of winning. Like I said, I’ve consistently come in last few places. It’s pointless to direct hopelessness over my own inadequateness, at the others.”

Tyler nodded, couldn’t agreeing more. Thank the sands! At least here was one who didn’t have their hostility misguided – it should be at their owners, rather than each other.

And there was something else too, in the Torch’s words, that blared in Tyler’s head like a resounding horn.

“I hope you are not offended,” he began carefully, “If I ask about the debts of your bond service.”

He suddenly stopped, worrying Tyler for a moment if he had overstepped himself, but it was only so to enter a curtained arch. He pushed aside the heavily beaded curtain with an arm, pausing to let Tyler enter first.

“You wish to know, why even three seasons of racing was not enough to pay back my bond.”

Tyler nodded as he passed, Silica beads brushing by his shoulder. The other Torched followed in step after, dropping his hold, causing the beaded strings to clink irritably as they knocked about each other, quaking and swiveling furiously.

“I hope you don’t think of me too nosy,” Tyler added quickly.

The other Torch stopped in place and shook his head, resigned smile taking over his lips.

“Your question is well placed – a good information for you. Your winnings make a big deal only when you are placed in the top three positions at the end of the season. Otherwise, you’ll likely find the amount still short of your debt amount. And,” he paused, sudden glint coming to his dark eyes, or could be the reflection from the Link-ore lightings dangling from the ceiling by the side of the arch, “Provided your owner doesn’t add to your tab for the cost of providing for your living, and any other expenses spent on you.”

They might as well be ripped from where they stand and thrashed about in a sand storm, because Tyler felt his head reeling.

He glanced down at the other’s beautiful outfit and paled. “Even things like what you are now wearing? He takes out the cost of tailoring that, from your winnings as well?”

The other Torch gave a big, cold smile. “Every year.”