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Chapter 29
Earlier that day, as Hanja and Samon visited Nikah’s mother outside the town, Kailyn lay beside the son of Vilgen’s Mayor in an inn bedchamber facing the market square. She had already taken her pleasure from him twice that morning and now, as she propped herself up on an elbow beside him and lightly tickled his jewels with dancing fingers, she wondered if he could be coaxed for a third time.
Kailyn had come across this boy Tenk was his name when she first arrived on the Road of Lakes a few days before. Determined to track down Princess Kasmine and her marauders, she knew that a local guide would be needed; someone familiar with the lands around those parts. In Vilgen’s Hall of Wodh, she found the Mayor or ‘Brugher’ as they called their chief elder and demanded that he provide her with a suitable man. When the poor official stammered and hesitated, Kailyn simply pointed at the boy standing behind him and said curtly, “He will do. I shall take him.”
Tenk proved able enough as guide to Kailyn’s legion, even seeming to relish the adventure. But if he knew anything about Kasmine’s whereabouts, he was not about to share it with an army of the Emperor. Probably he knew nothing, but he took Kailyn and her warriors where they desired to go, and showed them the countryside thereabouts.
He was a fine looking boy of, to Kailyn’s estimate, about nineteen or twenty summers. Typical of the young males in that region, he was tall and broad shouldered, long locks falling to his shoulders, intelligent eyes and a friendly, accommodating demeanour. Kailyn had decided, before the end of the first day, that she must have him in her bed. But how to achieve this end? It was not as simple as one might think. She was not opposed to coercion in principle, and of course she could have had her men whip him and bring him to her room, cowed, broken, compliant. But as her aunt had often told her, ‘A boy that is kept in abject terror of his mistress will never make a satisfactory bedfellow’. Kailyn wondered what Beshara would advise, wishing that she were there now. Beshara always knew how to best manage boys; how to get the most from them, whether by carrot or stick.
In the end, it proved an easy thing to accomplish. She found a pretext for taking him to her room a small package that needed to be carried and once there, she simply required him to remove his clothing and present himself to her on the bed. And this he did. Tenk must surely have been wary of Kailyn, but strength of desire overcame any reservations he might have had and he went about the tasks she gave him between her thighs with gusto. He was a lusty young man after all, as is normal for males of his age, and she was an extraordinarily beautiful woman.
In particular, Kailyn was delighted by the boy’s ; its girth as well as length, and the weight of it in her hand even when flaccid as she cupped his jewels. She had never seen the like of it before on a real boy; even Javi could not match it. It put her in mind of the large beautifully crafted ivory phalluses that a wealthy lady could purchase at certain discreet market stalls in Ephirum. The first time she took him inside her, squatting over him and demanding he be still, she savoured each inch as she lowered herself slowly onto him. Only when she was fully down did she open her eyes wide and gasp, “Good boy!”, not knowing what else to say, but feeling that the occasion should somehow be remarked upon. And then their movement began, both of them, and climax for her came very soon after.
And so it was that after a few short days of guiding the Eagle Legion through the countryside by light, and serving in its general’s bed by dark, Tenk lay beside Kailyn that morning as she tested his arousal.
“Hmmm,” she sighed in disappointment, “Perhaps I should give you a while longer. You know, Tenk, back in my homeland I owned two boys and it was rare that I could outlast them. One perhaps but not both.”
“I’m sorry, My Lady. If you keep touching me like that I am sure it will not be long.”
“I wish there were more like you in these lands, Tenk.”
“There are, My Lady. Or were. Some went to Casbur to fight. Some were taken already by the slavers who were here with your Emperor’s army. Many were gone long before that, given away by our old King; sold to lady owners in the City of The Goddess. Queen Zantina put a stop to that, but now….”
His voice trailed off.
“Why were you never taken, Tenk?”
“My father always knew when the Cargian slavers were coming. A benefit of being Brugher I suppose. He would hide me.”
“Well, I am glad he did not hide you from me.”
There was silence for a while as they enjoyed the sensation of their bodies against each other. Without being bidden, Tenk began kissing and lapping at Kailyn’s breasts, feeling her nipples stiffen as the tip of his tongue brushed them.”
“My Lady, there are rumours that The Emperor has been defeated at the City of The Goddess. That he retreats south, to his ships.”
“Yes, I have heard this also,” she sighed.
“Will you soon leave us?”
“Perhaps. Does that make you sad?”
“Yes, My Lady. But would you not take me with you?”
She was about to laugh at him, to remind him that he was just a pretty boy with which to pass some pleasurable hours. A plaything. A provider of comfort. Little other than a pleasure slave….little other than a pleasure slave. Now, there was a thought!
“Did you not tell me that your father is to send you away to a university in the south, Tenk? Do you not dream of a great education? You told me this just a day ago!”
“Well, yes, My Lady. But who knows now if the universities even exist, what with the war and everything. And the opportunity to travel! To see exotic foreign lands! And, besides, are there not great schools in the lands of Ephirum?”
She considered this for a moment before replying, “Indeed, Tenk! Why, my own Aunt is patron of an establishment in the hills above her vineyards. It is known as Ahirik. I am sure a place can be found for you there!”
“It sounds beautiful, My Lady.”
“It is indeed. However, you would have little time for idle enjoyment of the surroundings; the course is intensive. You would be assigned a trainer, I mean tutor, and receive personal attention.”
“Will you visit me there, My Lady?”
“No, that is not the norm. However your, er, studies will last only eight months or so, six if you are especially diligent and accepting of the guidance provided by your, um, tutor. By the end you will be a changed boy! And then I will come for you.”
“You would do this for me!? Oh, thank you My Lady!” exclaimed Tenk, and he began smothering Kailyn all over with kisses, across her thighs, stomach and breasts.
“Stop Tenk!” she said curtly. “It is too chaotic! I prefer more order in the bedchamber….it is what I am accustomed to. One day you will learn that a lady of wealth and culture must be pleasured only in the way she instructs, at times of her choosing and in the manner she enjoys. And you will learn the consequences of displeasing her.”
Tenk backed away from her, looking hurt, and she softened.
“It is alright, Tenk. You have not yet been taught. Here, let us see if you are ready to please me again….yes, I think we have some signs of life there….I can work with that!”
But just as she pushed him down flat onto the bed and wrapped her fingers properly around his , there was a rapping on the door and the voice of an Eagle Legionnaire outside, calling for her.
“Come!” she shouted, and the warrior entered, stunned to see her kneeling naked above her boy on the bed.
“What is it? Have you never seen an unclothed woman before? Tell me what you want or should I have you caned?”
“My Lady, to the north of the town….the Foreign Legion….they have abandoned Casbur….and now there is another army….you should come My Lady!”
“Another army?” she asked sternly.
“Yes,” he nodded, lowering his eyes. “I think it is Prince Taneric’s legions, come from the west.”
She dismissed the messenger and rose, shouting at Tenk to dress her in her armour, all playfulness gone from her voice.
“Stay here!” she barked as she left.
****
When Kailyn rode out into the valley she saw that the messenger had been correct, but now it became clear that the Foreign Legion was leaving the field, dropping weapons and armour and trudging south towards Vilgen. She turned to a captain riding at her side.
“The Foreign Legion has clearly ceded. Prepare our men to leave Vilgen, for we too must go south now. We will collect other cohorts as we ride.”
As the man turned his horse to ride away, she called him back.
“In my room at the inn you will find a boy. He is to come with us! He may be willing enough, but if not, have him whipped and put in chains!”
And then Kailyn urged her horse forward, up the road, towards the distant lines of Taneric’s army. Her men began to follow but she turned angrily and shouted, “No! Leave me! I would talk with Prince Taneric alone.”
She proceeded up the gently sloping road, a lone figure on horseback, the only human moving north among thousands that moved south. As she met the first of the Foreign Legionnaires they parted on either side of her, stepping onto the grass to make space, bowing their heads in shame while she stared fiercely down at them. But none would meet her gaze. And so she continued through them, like a blade cutting the column in two as she progressed, the lines coming together again behind her. Halfway up the valley she saw Han and reached down with her coiled whip in hand to stop him. He raised his eyes to her in fear and dismay.
“Remember Han!” she said. “Remember what we spoke of in my tent! What I expect of you!”
He said nothing as she let him proceed, lowering his head once more, not looking back.
Eventually, Kailyn reached the edge of the northern army above her and thousands of warriors stared in awe as she rode on. Eventually, she could see Prince Taneric kneeling in prayer? and a cluster of figures nearer to her, gathered around a body on the grass. In sudden shock, she realised that it was Artur, motionless, his torso caked in blood. Now a rider came forward and blocked her, half drawing his sword, and she shouted out;
“What? Are you ten thousand afraid of a single woman? I had heard that the Sons of The North are fierce and brave! Let me through so I may speak with Prince Taneric, or do you worry that I might overpower him?”
The warrior relented and let her pass, but he remained close by her, his sword ready.
While all this happened, Tak had not moved from his kneeling position, nor did he look up as Kailyn rode right to his side and stared down at him.
“Taneric, will you not rise and address me as a Prince to an Emperor’s daughter?” she said.
“No, no….I am comfortable here for the moment,” he replied sadly, staring across at the body nearby and at the weeping figures around it.
“Very well,” she replied and dismounted, giving her reins to the startled warrior who had followed her. She sank down and sat beside Tak, close to him, cross legged on the ground.
“It seems you have defeated Lord Artur in combat, Taneric. I am sad that I missed it. He was a great hero in my land, a favourite of my father’s. I doubt that any man could have achieved what you have done here today. Why so sad, Taneric?”
“It was perhaps not how you imagine it,” he replied wearily.
“Well, perhaps not. But anyway, let us make an arrangement, Taneric. I will take the Eagles south now, which I am sure will please you, but first I require something in return. It is such a small thing; trivial really. That boy there, you see? The one that kneels at Lord Artur’s side. He is mine. He belongs to me. I will take him now and leave you alone to do whatever you are doing.”
Tak shook his head and laughed, sadly.
“Come now, Taneric. What is he to you? Just a boy of my own father’s legion. I should not even need to ask you for him.”
“I think I am done with bargaining for today, Kailyn. You can leave with your Legion or you can stay and have it die with you. There is little to discuss; no arrangement to be made.”
She tried once more.
“I told you, Taneric, he is my property. What, are you a thief now?”
“I grow tired of her!” shouted Tak, and several men within earshot dismounted and approached.
“Don’t you dare!” she hissed violently, and it was enough to halt them, at least for the moment, but they remained nearby, lurking, awaiting a single command from their Prince.
“I will give you Kasmine,” she said to Taneric.
“So, you have her? Or perhaps you bluff? Anyway, I will not bargain with you, but I will tell you this; anything that is done to her will be done tenfold to you.”
Kailyn stared back at him insolently.
“….And to your brother,” he finished.
At this she flinched.
“Ah, did you forget him for a while, Kailyn? Do you love him? He loves you. I have had opportunities to sit with him these last ten moons and have heard him talk of you, his kind, loving, bookish sister, who brings joy and laughter to the court of the Emperor. Well, it has been two summers since you were last together, has it not? I wonder if Kamhet would recognise you now? But I think, Kailyn, when I look into your eyes I can see that girl in there somewhere, crying to be released. But soon enough she will be gone forever. Now, must I tell my men once more that you bore me? They can be rough.”
Kailyn rose and gestured for her horse. Mounting, she spoke six words to Taneric, her voice cold and menacing;
“I believe we will meet again!”
And then the Emperor’s daughter shouted over to Javi and, though she used the language of Ephirum, all present knew they were cruel, threatening words. Javi turned his tearsoaked face to her for a just a moment, but Hanja reached for him and pulled him back to her.
Scowling in fury, Kailyn turned her horse and rode south at a gallop, the legionnaires on the Road of Lakes jumping frantically aside lest they be run down by her.
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