Chapter 14 - ' Don't Wake Me til it's Over '
Dark eyes surveyed the land before it. Every move no matter big or small was caught by these eyes. It was nearing midnight. Soon the next patrol would arrive to relieve his group. Azrael's impatience was not usually on display, however tonight he couldn't stop the feeling.
Tomorrow will come soon enough.
It would be the day of the new moon. He would get to see them. To see him. The days and nights gone by were a blur. Between the constant attacks on the castle and the small snippets of action within the castle's walls. It seemed like the King's guard had been very busy since the first large scale attack on the castle.
Azrael breathed deeply. Now was not the time to think about those things. He had a throne to defend and small lives to protect. That was what Minnon, his group leader had said to him before they began the night watch. Heavy footsteps approached the four members. The leader of group seven approached the awaiting guards.
"Low'qata," said the leader of group seven. His night greeting sounded as though it was lodged between his teeth.
Short dark brown curls hung loosely framing his slender face. His brown eyes narrowed upon seeing the second person to Minnon's right. Azrael said nothing as he watched the man inspect his person.
"Deviant," said the leader of group seven.
His voice was barely above a whisper. The effect of his spoken word was felt by Azrael. His chest squeezed in response. Not out of fear, but out of a failing attempt to hide his amusement.
After gazing upon my body like that, do you really have the right to call me a deviant?
Minnon stepped into the leader's line of sight, effectively blocking Azrael from the short man's view. He wordlessly passed the silver horn to the man and walked away. Two men and one woman followed in his wake. The baton had been passed; they had no need to stay there any longer.
In the safety of the castle Rea exhaled heavily.
She turned to Azrael saying, "I'm glad nothing happened! Could you imagine having to fight another night! Those rebels must have gotten tired to give up already!"
"You should always stay vigilant. This is not the time to slack," said Azrael.
His icy tone made it clear he did not want to pursue the topic she had started. The other members dutifully stayed silent to Azrael's relief. He could not handle another mindless conversation at this hour of the morning.
The group of four broke off. Minnon was the first to arrive at his room stationed on the first floor. Rea entered her room on the second floor. This left the last two men to ascend the staircase in silence.
Phelix, a mature man of almost forty years, had his own room. However due to the unravelling of Azrael's situation he wasn't sleeping there this morning. He was given charge of the unsavoury task of watching Azrael's movements. He cursed himself each time he faced the door they shared.
Arriving at door number fifty-two, Azrael entered with his shadow trailing behind him. The room was not small, but the two beds that stood inside made it feel cramped.
Phelix walked over to his corner of the room. The silence was a clear indicator of how he felt towards their living situation. An opaque barrier was lifted by Phelix. Under normal circumstances it would have appeared normal, but Azrael flinched each time he saw it.
The man did not want to be seen by him. Azrael had never held intentions towards Phelix, but the older man was not convinced. Phelix felt the hairs on his neck raise.
Not bothering to look beyond the barrier, Phelix said, "Do not look deviant!"
No response was given as it was not warranted. Dark eyes shifted to the floor. Shame covered Azrael's bones. He couldn't stop it. He had no reason to place it upon himself, yet he did so every time.
Lack of trust and the shameless displays of disgust shown by his colleague was tearing away at his soul. Face as still as stagnant water, he turned away. Azrael undressed quickly and donned a more relaxed suit of clothing in exchange for his armor.
The turmoil in his mind took away his desire to eat. Azrael lay in bed and turned off the lamp on the bedside table. More movement was heard in the room as Phelix moved about. After his nightly routine was completed, darkness swallowed the room.
Low'veta.
Swollen eyes shot open. Red surrounded gold, hinting at the tragic state of his mind. The glare of Fiha which entered his window alerted him of the new day. This was the fifth time he had woken since placing his head on the pillow last night.
Tired, Rystler lay back down once more. His roommate lay silently on the bed seemingly undisturbed.
"Another bad viewing?" said Nicx.
"Mhn."
"We don't have patrol today. Rest a while longer if you want."
"I will," said Rystler. He rubbed his eyes. "We get to see them today."
The separation was killing him. He had never spent so much time apart from his partner before. Even the medicine administered by the castle physician could not help his anxiety. This coupled with the horrifying images that plagued his mind at night, left him a mere shell of his former self.
Nicx left the bed they shared and began to prepare for the day ahead. There were things to be done and the Prince's demands were becoming more stringent as time progressed.
Rystler watched in envy as his group leader moved around the room. Dressed in full armour Nicx was ready to leave. A short wave was sent Rystler's way. Rystler returned the favour and watched as the door slipped into place. Given the chance, could he ever go back to the way things were before?
Three days after the two physicians worked tirelessly at his wounds, he was forced to return to service. Rystler squeezed his eyes shut at the memory. At that time he didn't know if he would have made it out of the cell alive. Much less stay alive long enough to report to duty.
All his mind circled around was his babies. In the depths of his despair tears of joy escaped from their confines. He had seen how many eggs were removed. Three. Three in total! They all belonged to him and his partner! A low groan rumbled in Rystler's chest. He wanted to see Azrael. He wanted to know what would become of their little lights, their offspring.
Today was the day the Prince would give a verdict. This was in the absence of The King who was busy fortifying the far borders of Zyra. Whether they would be allowed to live or be killed for their crimes of sodomy and inter-species relations had yet to be seen.
Rystler smiled. No one had ever received the life verdict, this was the bitter truth. Oddly enough he wanted to think that tomorrow would still be his to see. He knew he was a fool to think that a different outcome would be displayed in the courts today, yet still he allowed himself to hope.
This hope rided on the shocking announcement that was proclaimed to the masses by the Prince. He had given away his pearl! The King was put off by the carefree actions of his son, but what truly angered him was to whom the pearl was given. He refused to believe his son would bring shame unto the crown with the title of a deviant.
A gay Prince? By the Gods and Goddesses!
The city elders ate up the gossip and quickly added to it. The King tried to smother the news, but it took flight on its own. Upon hearing it, Rystler recalled laying in bed in shock. The Prince was never one to appear as such and never hinted at it.
Allowing himself one conceited thought, Rystler wondered if the reason his little family members were saved was because of the similarity of the love that was shared?
Not able to fall asleep Rystler rose up. He had four hours to himself before the guards came to collect him. Time dragged and he felt his anxiety rearing its ugly head once more.
Minutes to the hour Nicx re-entered the room. Dressed in his armour he was flanked by Oscar. Rystler looked at them indifferently. He had taken his time cleaning up and looked somewhat dragon after all. His golden hair was revived using serums. The sickly grey tint of his skin was removed leaving silken flushed skin in its stead.
Nails neatly trimmed and clothes wrinkle free it would seem as though nothing was out of place, except for the startling shade on his face. The rouge, deeper than a ripe cherry covered full, plump lips. Lazy golden eyes took in the expressions of the men that stared at it.
"This won't help your case," said Nixc. His golden eyes which flared dangerously bright had yet to leave Rystler's lips.
"I'm going to die either way, so at the very least let me die happily," said Rystler.
The retort dripped with venom. He did care anymore. They already stripped him of his rights, couldn't he at least hold true to what he felt expressed his sexuality?
Three golden heads parted the steadily growing crowd. They made their way to the royal court room. Whispers of the ones who lined the hallways disappeared into thin air. Standing four steps away from the door. Two groups looked at each other.
The men that stood in the middle gained a keen interest in each other. One month! It had been more than one month since they last saw each other.
Standing in light armour with the death battalions insignia carved into his breastplate. Azrael's eyes widened trying to commit to memory every inch of the man standing before him. Rystler's beautiful face carved of fine stone made his heart thunder in his chest. A rush of colour livened his deathly state. He gave a small smile.
Rystler could see the effect he had on Azrael. It pleased him to know time didn't push them apart. His perfect pout parted provocatively, causing a palpable presence among the prying populace. Rystler revelled in their discomfort as he bit the edge of his lips. Never once breaking contact with the dark voids that stared at him. He smiled.
The door of the courtroom opened. Both parties were escorted inside. A flicker of light grabbed Azrael's attention before disappearing. Shrugging it off he looked dead ahead. It was time for their reckoning.
Copyright © 2020 Ynes Barrow All Rights Reserved
Comments (0)
See all