Lyer & Aluraios | Ferel Scene
He would have shot an angry glare of irritation at Lord Dakram, if the source of that irritation wasn't Lady-daughter Amyst Sowl on the high table. Not that Dak would notice the glare, being caught up in the simpering tittering riot of conversation.
Spearing a cut of meat from the array of platters, he pushed it onto his plate, just managing to keep from breathing a sigh of relief as he caught sight of Minor Lyer Rewtren join in the conversation in the corner of his eye.
"Amusing, ain't it?" Josaf, one of the older kitchen helpers murmured in his ear, "Watchin' those high borns and their mindless power playin'."
"It's always the same though, it becomes boring after a while," Ferel replied, noting that Amyst had retreated to a neighbour as Lyer and Aluraios Zephyr caught the Mage-Lord's attention. He reminded himself sternly that he needed to practise remembering to use honorifics, it was so easy to forget - and so easy to slip up.
Josaf let out a hearty chuckle, reaching across the manservant for a loaf of bread, "I don't think so, 'specially with the Lady-daughter ~ Sowl. She'd be a good catch for our Lord." the grin widened as he lent back, ripping into the bread, "And she's brought a few of her Maidens along."
Ferel shook his head, a smile dancing over his lips, a shadow drifting across his thoughts. For the last day he'd been banned from his own bedroom - and Dakram's by default - because of that bitch.
He'd been out in Gustaf, one of the cities nearest the Holm, because of Court planning, one of his few duties besides Dakram's wellbeing, and on his return, found a female in his partner's room, and his partner in another suite across the hall. And no explanation. The fact that Dakram had let her take their rooms irked him more though. Why on God's way did the idiot want Lady-daughter Amyst so close? Not for sex, definitely, which left, what?
"I heard she only has Maidens to attend her, and they've been moved into one of the guest suites for the duration of her stay."
"Yeah, she's a proper lady, and so are some o' those Maidens." Josaf raised an eyebrow lewdly in agreement, and Ferel resigned himself to a meal spent hearing details he'd rather not.
He'd rather dwell on the fact that his three closest friends were sitting together, able to enjoy each other's company, while he was stuck on the servant's table surrounded by speculations, rumours and lust-struck idiots that only a full Court could breed. A least half of which he could quell in a second if not for the consequences of marching up to the head table and asking Dakram to kiss him. He let himself wonder on those consequences for a moment, a smile forming in his leaf-green eyes, picturing the Cormell Lord obeying him, as if in the bedroom, before the shadow in the grassy depths rose to the surface, More like I'd be banished from the Holm, or he'd take it as a joke and yell at me in private.
But, God, at least that would get them alone in private!
The discussion in each of Amyst's maiden's specific virtues had taken over most of his end of the table and he stood and politely fled before his own opinions could be asked on the apparent beauty of the girls. Not that he couldn't appreciate their aesthetic beauty, but long experience showed such discussions degenerated into questions about each man's nightly conquests. He'd learned to avoid conversations extolling female beauty.
The run he made his way along to reach the tiny room Lireta had allocated him hurriedly that morning was poorly lit, and he made a mental note to tell Dak to improve the conditions, the list already substantial - he didn't get many chances to see the depths of the Holm's servant quarters. What would my fellow servants think if they knew the real reason why complaints get dealt with so quickly? he thought wryly, not begrudging the Mage-Lord his reputation as an observant and kind Lord.
Feeling his way along the stony wall to his temporary home, he opened the door with a sigh. At least the sparse room was in easy reach of the main runs, which would allow him an almost normal amount of sleep, if not more, before he had to get Dakram ready for the day. A duty both of them detested performing during Court, his partner quite able and willing to do it himself. "Bloody appearances," he allowed himself to mutter as he stepped inside his room.
:Shouldn't speak like that out loud.: The voice was cheerful, he'd have said wine-edged if the hawk which lifted it's head from where it rested on the bed as he entered had been white. :Especially while it's Court.:
Ferel blinked, rubbing a hand across his eyes as he closed the door. "Lyer," he whispered tiredly, keeping his voice as quiet as he could, knowing the other could hear the faintest sound. "How's Dak?" Getting priorities right was important.
The black hawk tipped his head to one side, the golden eyes resting on Ferel's green. :He'd like to see you. God, we all would, Amyst is proving more trouble than she's worth.: His own weariness drifted into his voice like smoke through the air, :Idiotic, pampered, spoilt, stupid mageborn female!:
"Mageborn?" The surprise lifted the volume a touch, and he felt rather than heard the vampire's annoyance. "She's mageborn?"
:I take it you didn't know then? Dak really should have told you. But you only got back this morning, didn't you? And with Court on...: Lyer sighed in irritation, shifting his feet, :She's Major mageborn in fact.: The hawk clacked his beak together gently, obviously resisting the strong temptation to do it loudly. :Major pain in the rear.:
Ferel couldn't help but crack a small smile, the calm romantic mage was rarely this annoyed. "Is that why she's taken over Dak's room?" he asked suddenly, pieces clicking into places that hadn't seemed to exist seconds ago.
:Only bedroom shielded enough, Dak couldn't shield one of the guest suites in time.: Lyer nodded, :First time in generations the Sowl's have had a mage child, and they dote on her, but ignore any idea of actually training her!: the frustration was evident in the calm voice. The vampiric Minor would give anything to receive training in his own unique dual magic, neither the humans or vampires willing to take on the task, and much as Dak was willing to help, Lyer Rewtren could not become a permanent guest in Cormell Holm.
"Most families seem to think control is instinctive," Ferel answered logically, "Even the ones who send there children here for training never seem to think it's that much effort."
Lyer closed his eyelids over the dark bronze orbs for a second, before opening them to reveal the quiet fire that burned inside him, his voice subdued as they fixed on a corner of the room. :It took a death for them to realise that they might have been wrong. One of the servants died in suspicious circumstances after he angered her.:
The manservant's lips formed a small circle as he moved to the bed from where he'd been frozen by the door, reaching out to touch the warm ebony feathers in comfort, for all his species, the vampire hated the idea of taking a life like that, both he and his sunfolk lover feeding on rats and vermin by preference.
:I'm alright,: Lyer murmured, blinking up to look at his friend. :Dak sends his very sincere apologises for the situation,: he continued swiftly, :'Don't kill Lyer, I'll receive anything you want to throw at me soon.' I believe his exact words were.:
Ferel ran his fingers over the hawken body for a long second, forcing himself not to clench them around the fragile bird. Vampire or not, Lyer's bird form could still be badly damaged. "Do you know why?" The fringe of hair hung like a sun-kissed shroud over his eyes, hiding them.
The vampire squirmed out of Ferel's light grasp, and hopped onto his arm, trusting the younger man to support his weight. :It was all done very quickly, the Sowls wanted no, dishonour, to come to their name,: he spat the words out angrily, the talons clenching slightly through the sleeve's cloth, :We only arrived for Court today, so we've only heard the bare facts from Dak, but he didn't want you around her, not after that servant's death. And,: the predatory golden eyes held a hint of teasing wryness in their heart, :he knew you'd argue. And probably win.:
One hand raked through sandy-brown hair, pushing it back from it's accustom place across his eyes, the leaf green depths acknowledging the truth of his friend's words even as he flexed his fingers in irritation. "He knows me too well." Then sudden hope blossomed as his mind processed Dakram's message, "'Soon' he said? Do you know when he's free?"
:As soon as Amyst's moved out of your rooms, I believe.: Lyer held back a soft laugh at the smile that abruptly lit up the other man's face, like the snow melting to reveal full summer on a rainy day. :She's being put into a proper guest suite. Dak and some of the other Holm mages have been working when they can to put up sufficient shields for her. I think this is the fastest he's taught anyone to shield.: His eyes were amused but sympathetic as he ruffled a feather back into place, :He's as stressed about this as you. Apparently she keeps trying to visit him during the night.:
Ferel nodded, wishing he could legitimately get his hands on the Major girl. Dakram was his, and he wasn't being arrogant in thinking that the Mage-Lord had hated being separated from him over the past week just as much as he had. The shock of not being able to visit his lover was half expected, after all, Cormell Holm had Courts so rarely that Dakram was often overwhelmed during them by visiting diginatries. But discovering he wouldn't be able to see Dakram in guaranteed privacy at all for maybe more than just the initial Court day had hurt.
"I noticed your help at the high table. Thank you."
:Dak's already thanked us.: The vampire's mental voice became exasperated, :Lady Major Amyst, or Lady Amyst Major - she's still debating over the order - has been flirting with him all week. It took all of 'Rios's considerable talent to distract her.:
Ferel stroked the soft night-dark feathers again, sensing his friend's discomfort. The beautiful fireborn's tastes for both men and women occassionaly gave his lover twinges of unease, especially when he openly flirted with women in front of him. Never men though, and nothing ever happened more than flirting, Aluraios loved Lyer too much to hurt him like that, Lyer put up with the fact that women had some appeal for his partner that he couldn't provide, and it rarely caused problems between them.
"Thank you again then, Lyer."
The hawk rubbed against the hand in a cat-like gesture, the black feathers warm and smooth. "You're welcome.: The mental voice turned bright again, :Now, I'd better go and rescue the longhaired idiot before he gets too involved in his role, and you'd better find a clean change of clothes, I seem to have ripped yours slightly.:
The manservant sighed dramatically, "It's alright, you know damn well it's not the first time I've someone's talons shreding my clothes. What Lireta will make of these I don't know..."
© Clare Selley 2009
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