It had been only five years since the heymnar soldier had defected the army to follow his lover to the mortal realm.
"Mmh...."
Raylen turned to see Eris awaken slowly. A smile curled the dregyar prince's lips.
"Raylen. "
His name did not sound sweeter spoken by anyone else. Eris slipped out of bed and joined his lover by the window, embracing him from behind. "Is it your turn to go to the market today, or is it mine? "
"I think it's yours" Raylen replied as Eris kissed the nape of his neck. He placed a hand over Eris's at his waist, as if to reassure himself that the other man was still there.
Erileus, called Eris for short. He was the son of Marianna of the Eastern Night Grove in the underworld. But here in the mortal realm, he and Raylen were simply lovers, living a peaceful life together.
But not for much longer, or so Raylen thought. An awful sense of foreboding had settled in the pit of his stomach. He had felt it last night, when he explored Eris's body for the thousandth time, and when Eris had fallen asleep before him, exhausted.
On impulse Raylen turned and took both of Eris's hands in his. "Promise you'll take care when you go out. "
Eris gave him a quizzical look , then chuckled. "I'll be fine, love. Don't worry. "------
The market at the foot of the mountain was as lively as ever. Childen ran past Eris as he made his way to the fruit merchant's stall. He couldn't help smiling at the sight of them as they laughed and chased each other around the square.
Today was quite warm too. For a few seconds Eris just stood, head raised and eyes closed, basking in the light and warmth of the early northern spring day. He had shucked on a pair of simple leather boots, trousers and a short-sleeved shirt made from feathercloth, though even those felt like too heavy for this weather now.
As soon as she caught sight of him Lailah waved excitedly at Eris. He had visited her stall every year since he'd settled in the mortal realm with Raylen.
"Hello Eris, some oranges for Ray, I take it? "
"Yes, and three ler of grapes please. How are your parents? "
"They're doin' swell! I heard that just last week they delivered a pretty massive order for the mayor.
After that they took some time off and now my big bro's in charge for as long as they're away. "
Layla's family owned an orange farm on the outskirts of Arumondas, in the southern kingdom of Herdonlea. Its fruits were among Raylen's favourites.
"Here you go" Layla said as she placed the items inside the cloth bag Eris had brought with him. "Eh? Eris ? "
He'd noticed a subtle change in the air around the marketplace. He looked up, and a group of people parted to reveal --
Fear gripped Eris's heart. There, before him, stood two of his mother's retainers. Like him they had used glamours to disguise themselves, but their auras were unmistakable.
"I'm sorry Layla, I have to go " He hastily took her hand and placed two silver scirrons in it. Before the fruits merchant could even thank him, Eris ran.
-----------Meanwhile, back on the mountain, the terrible feeling in Raylen's stomach had only gotten worse. Where was Eris? He restlesstly paced the room, then decided to go outside to outside to look for any sign of him. An hour passed, two hours, five.
The sun was now past its zenith, descending into evening, and Raylen could no longer stand it.
Just as he was about to leave the cabin he felt a hand on his shoulder. A voice in his ear hissing: "Don't materialise your wings".
In an instant his arms were pulled behind his back in an iron grip, and he was forced onto his knees. Raising his head he found his eyes meeting those of Tyr, a soldier in the heymnar army. His former comrade. "Raylen Zephyr, you are arrrested for the murder of the Lord Consul . "
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