Affaires
"I'm worried about him."
I glanced up from the monitor to find Radittsu standing beside me, frowning anxiously. And fidgeting. I sighed.
"What's the problem this time?"
Zha'haabron had settled into life on Vejiitasei surprisingly easily, although there were a few minor hiccups. Like finding a supplier for the small rodents and lizards the prince liked to eat - alive. And another for the lotions and cleansers he used on his body - protective more than cosmetic, we found out, R'ren'nkh'ia-jin skin being rather different to ours. (We'd ended up importing a supply from R'ren'nkh'ia: it was easier than trying to make them on Vejiitasei, at least in the short term.) To my surprise the one thing I'd been most worried about - the reaction of Zha'haabron's sire to the news of his heir's bonding with a Saiyan - went very smoothly. The king (I assumed it was male - the creature that appeared on the viewscreen looked so completely different to Zha'haabron that it was difficult to believe it was the same species) was so pleased with the newly-instituted alliance with the Saiya-jin that he didn't even mention the prince. Although I got the distinct impression that Zha'haabron was not a particular favourite, and a little deeper digging in the database did seem to suggest that his type were considered more of a problem than a blessing, though no specifics were given. I decided I'd try and find out from Zha'haabron himself if possible - later, when we'd got to know each other better.
Radittsu, however, had become extremely solicitous of his bondmate, badgering me for information and advice at depressingly regular intervals. I was starting to wonder if the prince knew, and if so, whether he approved. But at least this time Radittsu had genuine cause for concern...
"He wants to sleep all the time. He aches. And he's not eating properly."
"Well, that's not so surprising."
"It's not?" He looked startled. "You know what's wrong with him?"
I grinned. "I can make an educated guess. The cold season's started, right?"
He nodded.
"R'ren'nkh'ia is a hot world. Zha'haabron's cold-blooded. He's just not used to cold weather. It's affecting him, making him lethargic."
"Oh. Is it dangerous?"
I frowned, considering it. "I wouldn't think so, unless he gets too cold. But I'm not a biologist: I can't say for certain. I'll let you know if I find out anything."
"What can I do about it?"
"Keep him indoors as much as you can. Make sure he dresses warmly - and I mean really warmly; forget those pretty, flimsy bodysuits he likes so much - keep your quarters heated, make him eat small meals often. Don't let him expend too much ki. Do what you can to keep him warm."
He grinned. "I like the sound of this! D'you think you could persuade Vejiita to give us a holiday?"
I chuckled and swatted at him. "You're joking, of course. Although..." I thought about it. "I suppose, when the season's at its worst, it might be wiser if you stayed with him, well out of the reach of the elements. I'll speak to the King. But I'm not promising anything."
"You know you can get him to do anything you want. If you really put your mind to it."
"You give me too much credit. Nobody can make Vejiita do something he doesn't want to do."
"But this is to his benefit too, isn't it. I mean, who would he spar with if anything happened to Zaab... Zha'haabron?" He pronounced it carefully, still having trouble with the alien name, but determined to get it right.
I sighed. "I'll ask him, all right? Now shoo. I'm trying to work."
In the quarter-year since Zha'haabron had first arrived and - metaphorically speaking - swept Radittsu off his feet I'd spent a large number of my days in the library, finding my way around the database, making a thorough study of our nearest neighbours, then extending my researches outwards until I had a basic but workable knowledge of nearly every species in our part of the galaxy. One day I hoped to be able to actually visit some of them, but for now I found a certain satisfaction in being the unofficial consultant to the diplomatic corps.
Vejiita was quietly proud of me, too.
Speaking of whom...
*My lord? Are you busy?*
*Why?*
*I would like to speak with you.*
I felt him sigh. *Is it important?*
*Yes, but not immediately.*
*Then it will have to wait until tonight.*
*Very well, my lord.*
Ah well. I kneaded the back of my neck and stretched. I'd been sitting here quite long enough: it was time for a quick workout...
"Zha'haabron? Are you awake?"
The mental equivalent of an irritable growl answered the Saiyan as he dropped a couple of large packages on the table in the antechamber. The prince was curled up in the bed; he peered up at his bondmate through one half-opened eye only just visible under the thick silky strands of emerald hair falling over his forehead. Radittsu cuddled around him outside the thin sheet, wrapping strong arms around his body.
"It's all right. I spoke with Leteetza; she said it's because it's getting cold. All we have to do is keep you warm. Come and see what I've got for you."
"Hurts to move."
Radittsu frowned. "It shouldn't. It's not that cold yet." He bit his lip, then headed for the bathroom, emptying out half of the tepid liquid filling the bath and replacing it with hot. He carried the prince through, and moments later both of them were immersed in steaming water.
Zha'haabron yelped and struggled in Radittsu's arms.
"It's hot!"
Radittsu held him firm. "It's not that hot. And you need to warm up. Are you still hurting?"
Cautiously, Zha'haabron relaxed, sinking lower into the water, then looked up into the Saiyan's face.
"It's easing."
Radittsu nodded. "Good. We'll keep it at this temperature from now on. I've found you some warm clothing, too."
The prince sighed. "How long does the cold weather last?"
"Not long. Thirty five days or so. The really cold spell lasts about nine days. You'll have to stay inside for that: everything freezes and the winds are savage. Pity though - I'll bet you've never seen snow."
"Only pictures."
The big male kissed his forehead. "Well, there may be a way."
Zha'haabron shuddered, fastidiously. "I think I'll pass, thank you."
They lay quietly for a while, Radittsu gently stroking the prince's back and shoulders, Zha'haabron's arms around his lover's broad chest, licking at a nipple. Radittsu sighed.
"That's nice."
Zha'haabron glanced up, then twisted to straddle the Saiyan's thighs. Very gently he brushed Radittsu's lips with his own, startling the big male. He smiled, then did it again, a light pressure, careful to keep his mouth closed, then lifted himself and slid onto Radittsu's erection, and for once brought the Saiyan to a fast, shuddering climax, leaving himself unsatisfied. Radittsu frowned, but held very still as his lover's eyes closed tightly and his face assumed a look of intense concentration: seconds later he felt the barbs relax noticeably and Zha'haabron slowly and carefully lifted himself from the big male's lap. The prince twisted sideways and slumped with a sigh, and Radittsu hugged him, ignoring the shallow, stinging scratches up the length of his shaft. Zha'haabron's control wasn't quite perfect yet, certainly not when in an aroused state, but he was trying very hard. The Saiyan cupped his chin and pulled his face upwards. "Why?"
Zha'haabron glanced down. "Two things. The water is cooling and I would rather not be cold again. And..." He hesitated. Radittsu ran a finger along his jaw, and he looked back up into his lover's eyes. "I was wondering... What you were trying to do, that time..."
"When I shocked you into transforming?"
Zha'haabron nodded, and the Saiyan grinned. "You'd like me to try it again?"
"Would you be willing?"
Radittsu surged upright and practically flew them to the bed.
An hour later he lay on his back, smiling at the ceiling, Zha'haabron's head resting on his shoulder, his still-bleeding arm cradled in the Saiyan's large hands. That had been - unique...
He shook his head slightly, licking his lips. The prince tasted wonderful - the male part of him sweet like fruit, the female dark and smoky with a hint of raw meat: Radittsu couldn't decide which he preferred. Good excuse for trying this again! he grinned to himself. And the sheer force with which his lover had climaxed, not quite simultaneously, with both organs had been amazing, his back arching off the bed, body tense and quivering. He'd sobbed as he came down from the high, and that's when Radittsu realised he'd been biting his own forearm.
*But why?*
**I... I did not... want to... bite you...**
He'd frowned, gently kissing the bleeding skin, tasting the deep blue blood for the first time, curious about the strong coppery taste.
*I don't want you to be hurt. Perhaps we'd better not do this again.*
**No! No, I think that... with practise, I should gain more control...**
Zha'haabron was panting, his lips parted, so tempting, but Radittsu kissed his throat instead, unwilling to push his lover's control too far. This first time, anyway.
He smiled down at the face nestled against his chest, running a hand across the prince's shoulders - then realised his lover was colder than usual. Cursing under his breath, he dived into the antechamber and grabbed the packages, pulling a heavy black sleeping fur from one and draping it over the bed, tucking it around Zha'haabron as he used a flicker of ki to light the logs stacked in the fireplace. He slid under the silk sheet and the weight of the soft fur and pulled the prince close, wrapping himself around the sleek powerful frame and holding him against the glowing warmth of his own body. Zha'haabron murmured sleepily and sighed, snuggling closer and licking at his lover's neck. As he stroked the prince's cheek, Radittsu realised he was rather looking forward to this year's cold season...
Radittsu woke gasping and drenched with sweat. The room felt like a furnace: he'd shoved the sleeping fur down past his waist in his sleep but it hadn't made a lot of difference. He rolled off the bed and stumbled to the balcony doors, slipping out into the cold morning air with a groan of relief. He stood still for a few minutes, letting the chill wind cool him down.
Damn. This wasn't going to be as easy as he'd thought. But then, that had been the first night: he'd acclimatise in a couple of days. He hoped.
Back in the bedroom all that could be seen of Zha'haabron was the top of his head. Radittsu sighed and went to take a cold shower.
The prince was stirring when he returned and sat cross-legged beside the delectable fur-wrapped bundle. Zha'haabron smiled sleepily at him.
"I'm not cold."
Radittsu wiped at the sweat already beading his brow and sighed. "I'm so glad..."
There was, Radittsu thought wearily, a certain amusement value in trying to persuade Zha'haabron into sensible clothing...
The prince had gazed in bemusement as the Saiyan upended the smaller of the packages onto the bed. All highest quality garments - fine silk, the softest furs. And he'd gone for rich greens, gold and pale blues, as well. And black, of course. Radittsu had watched as his lover inspected each piece individually, still bundled up in the sleeping fur, a faint frown on his face.
"And you want me to wear these?"
Radittsu had grinned. "No. I don't want you to wear anything. I much prefer you naked. But it's the cold season. That means it's cold. Really cold. And I really want you to still be alive and warm when lesser sun reappears."
"Do I have to wear them all the time?"
"Outside of these rooms it would be a good idea."
Zha'haabron nodded, still frowning slightly, then lay back down, pulling the sleeping fur up around his neck.
"Perhaps I could just stay here..."
Radittsu sighed irritably. "They're not that bad!"
"True. You have a good eye for colour."
"So won't you try something on? Please?"
Sighing, Zha'haabron selected a deep green silk bodysuit, sliding into it quickly then pulling on an outer suit of fine, soft, pale golden fur. His eyes had widened as he stretched and twisted, surprised at the suit's comfort and flexibility. He pulled on close fitting pairs of matching fur-lined boots and gloves and prowled through to the bathroom, checking himself in the mirrorwall. Radittsu, still naked and sweating, followed him through, watching as the prince frowned at himself in the mirror. He smiled at the Saiyan's reflection, then turned to face him.
"You chose well."
Radittsu uttered an exaggerated sigh. "Does that mean you'll be sensible?"
"Yes."
The big male grinned - then pulled the fur suit's attached hood up over the prince's head, tucking his hair inside, and stood back to admire the result.
"You look gorgeous."
Zha'haabron's eyes widened slightly and he swivelled to look in the mirror. Radittsu moved to stand behind him, pressed close to his body, and ran his hands down the prince's chest.
"Feels nice too."
"I can live with it."
Radittsu stepped back a pace. "Can you fight in it, though? I doubt Vejiita will be willing to stop sparring, regardless of the weather - until the very cold days, at any rate - and the indoor training arenas are unheated."
Zha'haabron bent double, straight-legged, wrapping his hands around his ankles and pressing his forehead to his knees, then backflipped into a low crouch. He looked up at Radittsu, one eyebrow raised.
"I can fight."
"Then we'd better get to our posts."
Back in the bedroom Zha'haabron watched as the Saiyan slipped into his own clothes - brief bodysuit and armour - and shook his head.
"Do you never feel the cold?"
Radittsu grinned. "Not often."
The prince smiled. "Good. I'm counting on you to keep me warm..."
Vejiita's eyed widened at the sight, but he managed to keep himself from commenting on the prince's attire.
*Hn. Well, I suppose if it keeps him functioning I can put up with it.*
*Don't be mean! I think he looks - cute.*
Vejiita flashed me a very swift grin. *I wonder how he'd react if I told him you thought that?*
*You wouldn't dare!*
He raised an eyebrow. *Don't tempt me...*
I flashed him a quick telepathic image of the way I'd woken him up that morning, chuckling as he shivered, his eyes widening.
*Oh. Very well. Tempt me if you like...*
*Later, my lord.*
*Little tease...*
*I do my best, my lord.*
*I'm glad to hear it.*
The pair took off, heading for the arena, and I headed off to the library for a morning's research.
Early evening, and Radittsu and I were recovering after a strenuous workout: it had been tiring, but not quite as damaging as usual. I took a moment to ask after Zha'haabron: he'd looked fine, and seemed lively enough when I'd seen him earlier.
The captain nodded. "Hot water, open fire, sleeping fur and warm clothing, as you prescribed."
"And you?"
He grinned. "And me. Keeping him warm is going to be very enjoyable."
I poked him in the ribs. "I meant, how are you doing? Coping with the heat?"
He shrugged. "Well enough."
I nodded. I'd got to know him well over the last year. "In other words, it's too hot for you."
"I'll adapt." He gave me a lop-sided smile. "I've no choice. Unless I want to move out of the suite until the cold season's over."
"Well, if I can come up with a compromise I'll let you know. To change the subject, do you have anything planned for tomorrow?"
"Evaluation session in the morning - handful of new recruits." He grinned. "After that I'm all yours! Did you have anything specific in mind?"
"Vejiita wants Zha'haabron to join him in conference tomorrow - something to do with the alliance I think." I scowled. "I still can't convince him to include me in these talks. It's bloody annoying. I probably know more about the political status of the local systems than anyone else onworld... It'll probably last all day and into the night, knowing him." I shook my head. "Anyway, I really want to get away from the city for a while, but he doesn't like me heading off by myself. You up for an open-air sparring session - and maybe a hunt afterwards? The bighorns are migrating: it's been ages since I've eaten any and it's one of my favourite meats."
His eyes lit up. The big animals aren't exactly scarce, but they're vicious and difficult to catch, even when they are migrating across open country: with so much easier prey around most people don't bother. They're delicious though. Radittsu obviously thought so too.
"I'll collect you as soon as I finish with the recruits!"
I grinned. "Don't kill 'em in your haste, now, will you?"
He snorted. "It'll sort out the trees from the weeds!"
I laughed, and we went our separate ways.
"How did it go?"
Vejiita stretched and wrapped his arms around my waist and his tail around my thigh, nuzzling my neck from behind.
"Better than recently. I assume he was beginning to be affected by the cold: the new bodysuit seems to have solved that problem."
I gasped as he stroked my tail, and leaned back against his chest. "It looked good on him, too."
He paused, surprised. "And how long have you been interested in how clothes look?"
I twisted round to face him, sitting in his lap. "I do have some appreciation of beauty, you know. Why do you think I came to you in the first place?"
He smirked at the implied compliment and kissed me, then gazed at me thoughtfully.
"Would you like one?"
"One what, my lord?"
"A fur bodysuit."
I blinked at him, nonplussed. "Um - would you like me in one?"
"I like the feel of fur." He ran his fingers along my tail, holding me upright as I shivered and nearly collapsed. He smiled.
"Ask Radittsu where he found it, and acquire one. No, acquire two - one black, the other the colour of your hair."
Slightly stunned, I kissed him, strangely excited by the idea...
"You are to take good care of her."
Vejiita stood glaring at Radittsu, his arms folded across his chest. Radittsu dropped to one knee.
"With my life, sire."
*Do you have to be so melodramatic? I can look after myself, you know.*
*I am aware of that.*
But he wasn't going to change his mind. And actually it did feel kind of nice, being valued that much. I gently laid my hand above the base of his tail.
"We need to go, my lord. And you need to get back to your meeting."
He scowled, and I got the impression it wasn't going as well as he'd hoped...
Vejiita glowered, drumming his fingers against the desk. "Why are your people proving so recalcitrant? It's not as though we're asking for a mass exodus - just a steady influx of your own warriors that we can train here and then return to R'ren'nkh'ia. What is the problem?"
Zha'haabron grimaced. "I appreciate your frustration, but you must understand that my sire rules only the northern tribes. Initially he wants to use his alliance with the Saiya-jin to force the other rulers to acknowledge him as High King - and to do that he needs to ensure his own warriors are ready for action if needed. To allow any offworld would weaken his position."
"I am not interested in the petty politicking of a world not even sufficiently civilised to have a single ruler!"
"That's all very well, but you must have noticed I have practically no influence over my sire!"
"Then how about over the other 'chiefs'?"
Zha'haabron blinked and frowned. "What?"
Vejiita laid his fingers against the prince's smooth cool cheek. "You are beautiful. I cannot believe that some of the others on your world would not find you irresistible."
Zha'haabron glared. "Just what are you suggesting?"
"You don't deny it? Good. Perhaps we're getting somewhere."
"Now wait just one minute..!"
"I have been waiting. I would rather waste no more time. Do you wish to be of service to your homeworld or not?"
Zha'haabron rested his face in his hands. "One of the conditions for my being allowed to come here was that I do so in any manner necessary. I'd thought... I'd hoped, after my bonding, I'd be released from that duty."
"You have my sympathies. Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. Tell me what would happen if I advised your sire of a refusal to co-operate."
Zha'haabron closed his eyes, speaking in a flat monotone. "I would be recalled. If I did not go voluntarily, my sire's elite guard would be sent to take me captive. There's a strong likelihood I'd be... imprisoned for treason."
"That would make Radittsu very unhappy."
Zha'haabron stared at the King. "With respect, sire, I don't think he's going to be very happy about my - prostituting myself, either."
"We are all called upon to make the occasional sacrifice. Perhaps I should send him with you as a body guard."
"He'd hate it."
"He'd be with you. Therefore he would be happy."
Zha'haabron shook his head, sighing silently. He couldn't see any way out of it - and Vejiita had obviously made up his mind...
"Very well. First, there's Gh'heegonan of the Valley Tribes. He originally requested me as mate after his previous mates had met with an unfortunate end..."
Vejiita fought down a smile as his aide began noting down the names of all those who had shown an interest in the prince in the past. It was to prove quite a long list.
I laughed aloud over the wind that howled its way across the plain. There was something exhilarating about sparring above a fast moving herd of huge, dangerous animals whose shaggy bodies and enormous horns covered the ground as far as the eye could see. The dust kicked up by their sharp hooves covered them in a red shroud: it almost looked like a river of blood below us.
We were both panting: it had been energetic and potentially lethal, and I hadn't enjoyed a fight so much in nearly a year. I flew closer to Radittsu, grinning.
"Shall we go catch a bighorn?"
He grinned back, nodding, and together we flew towards the further edge of the herd, looking for a suitable target.
After half an hour of watching we spotted a pair of younglings, alone on the boundary of the heaving mass of bodies, and began working together to separate them from the herd. The danger with bighorns is that they have rudimentary ki themselves, enough to be able to deflect ki attacks, so hunting them is very much a physical skill. But between the pair of us we managed to force them away from the herd and into a narrow gully.
Grinning at each other we both dived in for the kill - which involved wrestling the beasts to the ground and breaking their necks. And it all went according to plan until my target twisted away from me and ran a horn through my thigh, lifting and tossing me to the ground and tearing a huge gash in my leg as it did so.
"Leteetza!" Radittsu broke the neck of his prey then dived for mine, landing on the animal's back and wrenching it away as it tried to trample me. He despatched it quickly and raced for me, eyes wide and worried.
I clenched my teeth, fighting down the pain. The damage was massive: the bone was broken and clearly visible and something major must have been severed as I was losing blood at an alarming rate. Radittsu crouched beside me, ripping a long strip from my bodysuit and improvising a tourniquet. He looked up at me, his face grim.
"You'll be fine as long as we get that seen to as soon as possible. C'mon, I'll fly us back: you conserve ki."
I wrapped my arms around his neck - and then I saw what I supposed must be Mama...
The enraged animal thundered straight towards us. I discovered later that its horn shattered Radittsu's body armour, broke two ribs on its way in, sheared through his lung (narrowly missing his heart), broke another rib on the way out, and caught me just above the breast, smashing my collarbone and chipping my shoulderblade as the tip of the horn rammed through me. But at the time all I knew was another bolt of sheer agony as we were lifted and thrown skywards.
Instinctively, using our own momentum, I somehow dragged us both off the horn and flipped us to the outcrop at the end of the gully, collapsing painfully onto the jagged rocks.
Radittsu landed solidly on top of me, his weight cracking several of my ribs. He was semi-conscious, bleeding heavily. Neither of us able to fly. My last sight as I fainted was his paling, horror-struck face...
Back at the palace, Zha'haabron and Vejiita stared at each other, eyes wide with horror, then blasted off through the window, leaving their aides staring after them in shock.
They kept pace with each other, the countryside below them a blur as they headed towards their partners' rapidly fading kis - but the pace was taking its toll on Zha'haabron as he fought to fly and maintain his body temperature against the freezing crosswinds. By the time they dropped onto the outcrop he knew he'd not be able to make it back with his bondmate.
Holding the unconscious Saiyan close, he pressed his forehead to Radittsu's brow.
**The fates are not kind. We had no time...**
The response was very faint. *Never give up...*
Vejiita had gathered Leteetza's small frame into his arms and was frowning at the prince and his lover. He reached out a hand and placed his palm against Zha'haabron's forehead - and the prince bit back a cry as a massive, agonising bolt of royal ki seared through his body, leaving heat and power in its wake. Vejiita smiled grimly.
"That should be enough to enable you to return. Stay behind me - you'll be warmer."
Cradling their precious burdens, the pair raced back to Vejiitamachi and the infirmary in the military barracks...
The next thing I knew was Vejiita's face bending over mine, anguish and anger plain in his eyes. As I opened my own, the anger took precedence.
*Just what the fuck did you think you were doing?*
*Wanted bighorn.*
*And decided to go off and hunt one without bothering to tell me.*
*Knew you'd stop me.*
He growled at me. "And now you are injured and Radittsu..."
I grabbed his arm, ignoring the pain that lanced through me.
"He's all right? Isn't he?"
He made me wait for a good half minute before answering, the bastard.
"He is. No thanks to you."
"Actually it was."
Vejiita moved aside and we both turned to stare at Zha'haabron, who was sitting on the adjacent bed holding his bondmate's hand. Radittsu was still unconscious, but breathing reasonably comfortably. He was very pale, though. I dreaded to think how much blood he'd lost. The prince regarded us coolly, his skin a paler blue than usual. His ki was low: he should really be in his quarters, in the warm, recovering. Not a lot of hope of that while Radittsu was lying here, though.
"Had it not been for the little warrior, both of them would have died."
"And," I added, "if it weren't for Radittsu, I'd have died."
"Which doesn't change the fact that you should not have done something so foolhardy in the first place!"
There was fear beneath the anger. I wrapped my fingers weakly around his fist, feeling the faint tremor that shook him.
"I'm sorry."
He glared at me for a moment, then sighed.
*I cannot really complain. This - absurd impulsiveness is a large part of what makes you unique. You would not be 'you' without it.*
*Does that mean you forgive me?*
*I'll consider it.*
That meant yes.
*As for Radittsu...*
I tried to sit up, crying out as various parts of me complained violently, and he pressed gently on my uninjured shoulder, pushing me back down onto the bed.
*Please, my lord, don't punish him. It was my fault.*
He stared at me for a moment, then smiled fractionally, but before he could say anything a groan from the next bed grabbed our attention. Radittsu's eyes flickered open to lock gazes with his bondmate - and he sighed, the tension leaving his body as he tightened his fingers around Zha'haabron's. They regarded each other for long moments, then Radittsu reluctantly rolled his head to the side to look at us.
"Sire..."
"Yes. I am. You would do well to remember it."
The big male winced, then winced again as the action stabbed at his damaged lung.
"I'm sorry, sire."
"I am glad to hear it. I trust there will be no repeat of the incident?"
Radittsu laid a hand on the dressing over his chest and shook his head carefully.
"I think once was quite painful enough, sire."
"Good." Vejiita's face was stern, but there was a twinkle in his eyes. Relief, I'd guess. "Well, as a way to force me to give you time off duty to spend the cold season with your mate, it leaves much to be desired... Perhaps next time you could find a less - dramatic alternative?"
Radittsu grinned briefly and settled back, smiling up into Zha'haabron's beautiful golden eyes. Then he brightened and glanced at the King, ignoring his bondmate's frantically shaking head. I sometimes wonder if Radittsu has a death wish.
"I don't suppose either of you managed to bring home one of the bighorns, did you? We were looking forward to a treat..."
Midnight. Vejiita had carefully carried me back to our rooms and settled me in the bed. Zha'haabron had finally been ordered to return to his suite to rest and warm up, leaving Radittsu alone in the infirmary - sufficient punishment, I thought, looking at his woebegone expression, for the unthinking temerity that had had Vejiita turning the air blue around our ears...
I watched, frowning, as the King pulled on gloves and body armour.
*You have an appointment? At this time of night?*
He smiled at me. *Just a small matter I need to take care of. I'll be back soon. Rest.*
I was asleep when he returned, and he didn't wake me.
There was a haunch of bighorn for breakfast...
© 2001 Joules Taylor
