Men who play games of war and soldiers born from circumstance...
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“You are so full of shit.” The hoofed man snorts, grey-green eyes holding hard yellow as Vir’nas’s expression grows increasingly agitated at his companion’s disbelief. “He’s never taken any interest in us for the entire time he’s been our commander, hell, Lir’han got axed by her Majesty’s newest toy-thing and he didn’t even bat a eyelash, and you remember how close he’d tried to get all the time so there’s no way he’d suddenly be going after you. If he was going to bed any of us, it’d be me anyway, I’ve been making eyes at him since before you were even in service but he’s untouchable and always has been.” “I’m telling the truth.” The younger man huffs as he crosses his arms at his chest. “He was all over me during demonstration, touching me and everything. Said he was going to thank me somehow for when I took care of him after her pet pissed her off like he did. If that’s not interest, then what is? And personal lessons-“ “-That her Harbinger is present for,” his peer interrupts. “How personal are they really if the Queen’s chamber toy is in the room, huh?” “Oh come on” Vir’nas smirks. “You know as well as anyone else here that those Harbingers of hers don’t have minds of their own, this one’s no different. I’ve seen him up close, the Captain even let me help him discipline, trust me, as blank as his eyes I’m telling you.” The hoofed soldier issues another disbelieving snort. “So you’re trying to tell me that after all this time of nothing towards any of us except the Queen herself, you come in, get yourself punched down a few times in demonstration and suddenly he’s going to take you of all people as his bedmate?” the man snorts again. “I’ll say it again, you are full of shit.” “Well, if I’m so full of it, why don’t you come see for yourself.” Vir’nas smirks as a smug look creeps into hard yellow eyes. “I’m helping him demonstrate again today to her newest and show him how real men fight. You’ll see how ‘full of shit’ I am when the Captain’s putting his hands on me like he has been.” A look of self doubt laced with a tint of reserved jealousy begins to creep into his companion’s gaze. “Has… has he really been doing that?” Vir’nas grins wide and the slightest hint of triumph forms in his expression. “Yes and it’s amazing, you really have no idea, he’s so… he just smells really good and even when he’s kicking my ass to show that pet of hers what perfect stances should look like, he’s being I don’t know… kind of careful, like he doesn’t really want to hurt me. He gets close and looks at me with those odd eyes of his-“ “I love his eyes” the hoofed soldier interrupts before he quite realizes it. “I’ve been around the territories and all and never run into someone with eyes like his-“ “I heard he has a brother or something” Vir’nas interrupts in turn. “One that looks just like him. Could you imagine having two Captains here? Together??” A light flush washes over both men’s faces as their thoughts begin to shift over the endless possibilities having two of their commanding officer in the same area before Vir’nas shakes his head when he realizes it’s almost time for him to show at the arena. “Shit, I have to go.” He says while turning around. “Don’t want to keep him waiting or make him mad at me before we even make it to bed.” “I still don’t believe that’s happening.” His peer says, the red tinting his skin still strong. “Then just show up” Vir’nas dares with an impatient wave as he continues hurriedly away. “Bring the others and you’ll all see, just don’t get seen, you know he hates it when protocol is screwed and I’m not having all your sorry asses mess up my chances with him now that I know he returns my feelings.” Shaking his head as his companion disappears around the corner, the hoofed soldier smirks before his mind wanders back to the possibility of having two of his commanding officer in one place. His place, with him in the middle… another flush washes across light skin before he begins walking, the soft clopping of feet sounding through the marbles halls slowly gaining speed as he runs off to find the others Vir’nas had dared him to find…
Vir’nas enters the arena, polearm in hand as he nearly rushes towards Bal’thial, a little overeager. The blonde really hopes he has the opportunity to wipe the smug look off that kid’s face before they leave though. Hard yellow eyes flash a nasty sort of look towards the kneeling blonde as he’s passing, starting in the slightest when Kso’ppghiel makes a swift mocking lurch at him when he’s within reach. Leather sandaled footsteps catch both their attentions moments before a strike sends the Harbinger spilling back onto the dirt floor, dangling enchantments clanking when clawed hands barely have time to break his fall. “I will not have our Queen’s pets disregarding my soldiery.” The Captain says flatly as white eyes rise up to meet the cold mismatched gaze above him while the younger soldier flashes the smuggest of looks towards the blonde as he steps behind the taller man. Vir’nas’s expression straightens the instant Bal’thial turns away from the other man and moves towards the center of the room, daring another quick look back and some whispered words while the Captain’s back remains turned. “You’re going to regret saying what you did… just sit back and watch how “little” he’s interested in me, I’ve already touched more of him than anyone else here could ever dream and soon enough I’m going to be on the same level with him as our Queen.” Kso’ppghiel can’t help the snort of laughter that leaves his lips behind the mask. He’s actually beginning to find this child’s behavior amusing. He can have the Queen for all the Harbinger cares. He can be the next Captain to take Bal’thial’s place. In the mean time, he and the white haired man will be together in ways Kso’ppghiel’s unsure the child even knows is possible. A small measure of pride moves through the blonde, knowing that someone such as Bal’thial feels for him what he feels in return. A small noise catches the Harbinger’s attention, looking towards the door as several sets of eyes look on before narrowing his own. If the tall Captain notices the not so subtle commotion shifting carefully in their attempts to remain unseen at the arena’s entrance, he gives no indication, simply issuing a quick command towards his subordinate who moves to obey. Vir’nas bows in the slightest before raising his polearm, very aware of the others he knows to be watching and hoping with everything that he is that his commanding officer will do what he’d done the day before. A slight smile forms on the corners of Bal’thial’s lips as his serrated edge weapon is raised and the smallest of nods sends the younger soldier lunging forward in an attempt to take a strike. Kso’ppghiel’s turns his gaze back to the pair before him, the room shifting slightly as he does so. The shifting turns to an almost spinning as vertigo sets in. The blonde has never eaten the fruit before, but he’s seen the affects if those who have enough to know this wasn't going to be a pleasant experience. The clanging of weapons starts to sound very far away while the figures before him seem to move in almost slow motion. He steadies himself slightly with his hand, the air behind the mask becoming a little too stifling for his comfort. The Captain stills the movements of both weapons with a quick command, signaling his subordinate to come over. Swallow hard and nodding hastily, Vir’nas moves towards his commanding officer and once there told to face the blonde. A strong arm is slide up and over the youth’s, the contact of his back to Bal’thial’s chest causing him to stiffen immediately and the brightest shades of red to tint his skin as the older man guides his hand and weapon up before them. Noise explodes from the doorway, stifled quickly as mismatched eyes narrow yet pretend to not notice, the tall Captain’s focus solely on the Harbinger as he sways unsteadily before them even as he leaning down to speak words of guidance near a long pointed ear. Blonde locks fall forward as Kso’ppghiel catches himself, the spinning becoming a bit unbearable. White eyes look up to see his father and sister standing before him, just as they were before their village was raided. He knows it must be a hallucination, he knows they’re dead, but it just seems so real. “I have not forgotten…” The words are a whisper from full lips. “I am sorry I am too weak to avenge your deaths… I am so sorry father. Please forgive me…” “So-something’s wrong with him” Vir’nas manages to work out despite his thoughts being jumbled from his commanding officer’s body being so close. With a nod, the Captain slips his hands away from the younger soldier’s arms and slides back, moving swiftly towards the Harbinger as he continues to whisper words only Bal’thial catches. White eyes slide up just as footfalls catch his attention and he pleads with the white haired man to forgive him for deaths he has yet to avenge just before Kso’ppghiel’s entire body falls forward once again. The Captain is down on his knees the instant it happens, metal adornments capping winding horns chiming from the swift movement and clawed fingers stretched out to catch the blonde before his face can hit the dirt floor below. Mismatched eyes shoot up towards the doorway and he yells out a moment later to cause the entire entourage of peeping soldiers to start. “Pull your faces from the doorway and inform our Queen that there is something wrong with her chosen!” Commotion sounds behind the doors as several soldiers begin racing up the stairs. Kso’ppghiel blinks at the vision of his sister who still stands smiling in front of him. “I should have been protecting you, E’nerii… I should not have left you in the house… you should be the one living… you should have a life and family while I lie rotting in the ground.” He looks down, not even aware he is being held up by the Captain. “I miss you both so much…” “And you are missed in return.” Bal’thial whispers so low that he’s unsure the Harbinger will even hear as he lifts him partially up and sets the other man against his shoulder, turning his head back to signal towards his subordinate standing behind. “Quickly fetch some water, he is burning up and if something happens before our Mistress gets here, it will be all of our heads.” “Sir!” Vir’nas nods before turning to run towards the entrance of room in order to find the spring that lies just beyond, torn between the fear of his Queen’s wrath and the eagerness he has to please the white haired man as he runs. On one hand he’s happy that enough happened in demonstration for the others to see that he’d been telling the truth as far as their Captain’s interests lie, he hates the fact that their Queen’s playmate chose now of all times to fall ill and interrupt it. He can’t stand that pet of hers, hates that the Harbinger is taking advantage of his Captain’s kindness and probably will never even thank him for it and even though he knows that their Queen will blame the Captain if something happens and that’s why he’d even pulled away from him in the first place, he really sort of hopes that whatever is wrong with the blonde is fatal so that he’ll just die in order to let his Captain get back to the way it was before around here. This one’s been so much trouble since she had him brought in and such a burden to his commanding officer that he’s just ready to see it all end. Io’fayl bursts through the door, walking quickly to the figures in the middle to see what all the commotion is. A look of concern when she sees Kso’ppghiel’s state flashes through her so quickly, it’s gone before it even fully manifests. She kneels down, placing her hand to his flushed skin and frowning before saying the words to remove the mask and tossing the metal to the side. She takes his slumped form from the Captain’s arms, laying him back against the dirt, rust eyes never leaving her Harbinger as she speaks. “What happened to him?” “I am unsure Mistress.” Bal’thial answers quietly as he remains kneeling near, sliding his arm up to rest at his leg while keeping his expression flat and neutral despite wanting nothing more than to reach out and push his Queen away from the Harbinger’s prone form. “I was in the middle of demonstration and he collapsed.” Behind them, Vir’nas bursts back through the doors with a stone pitcher filled with water he splashes with every step taken. Ignoring Vir’nas, the Queen grabs the pitcher away from the soldier, pouring some of the water over Kso’ppghiel’s hair and chest to cool him down. A frown crosses her features when she realizes the other is still standing there, gawking. “Remove yourself, child.” She flits Vir’nas away without looking up and he turns without any hesitation and runs for the entrance as fast as he can. “I need him upstairs, Captain. He needs to be set in a cool bath before his fever elevates.” “Yes, Mistress.” Bal’thial nods before pulling his hand from his knee and reaching forward to wrap clawed fingers around the Harbinger’s wrists. Rising to his feet and pulling the blonde with him, he lets go of one hand in order to brace near his abdomen and hoist him carefully up. Io’fayl rises herself as he’s sliding the other man across his shoulder, white blonde strands tumbling down to mingle with white when the tall Captain turns to move towards the arena’s entrance without so much as a word said. A stream of whispered words, fevered and obviously directed at something far away begins slipping from Kso’ppghiel’s mouth as the one behind is leaning down to pull the discarded mask from the dirt floor before following behind.
 It also worries her that she is leaving in a few days for negotiations that she will have to be present for. Hopefully he will be better by then as she fears leaving him.
 Mismatched eyes narrow in the slightest towards the figure standing at the far end of the hall as he steps onto the second floor landing and he sighs to himself while continuing on. The lone soldier’s expression is hopeful as he holds his commanding officer’s serrated edged weapon with both hands while he waits by his door, his face practically lighting when the familiar figure draws near. “I thought I’d save you the trouble because you had your hands full.” Vir’nas smiles reluctantly, taken back in the slightest by the coldness reflected in Bal’thial’s mismatched gaze until it suddenly melts away when the older man reaches him. “Thankyou.” The white haired man smiles as he reaches out to grasp onto the offered hilt before turning to push his doors open and walk through. Continuing on towards the scrolled wooden pegs for his weapon against the wall, Vir’nas steps over and takes a peek in to watch. “I-is her chosen alright?” he asks the back of his Captain’s head, despite the fact that he’s hoping the answer will be no. “I am unsure.” Bal’thial says truthfully as he places his sword in its resting place. “Um…” the young subordinate tries, looking at his commanding officer hopefully while he continues to hover near the entrance. “Are you feeling better sir…? From the other day I mean, you were bleeding a lot and I tried very hard to help as best I could…” Pulling his hands down to his side and turning around, blue and green eyes meet hard yellow from across the room as he moves back towards the younger man. “Yes, I did say I would thank you for that did I not?” “Y-you don’t have to sir.” Vir’nas waves his hands slightly as the white haired Captain draws in close, a nervous flush washing across his face. “I just-“ “Just… what?” “Just… wanted to… sir, I’d… for a long time…” the shorter man tries, stumbling through every word as his Captain steps just before him. A smile forms on Bal’thial’s lips and amusement dances in his mismatched eyes at his subordinate’s obvious flustering, finding surety that Kso’ppghiel would probably find the soldier’s stumbling amusing as well… but as his thoughts return to the Harbinger, the smile on his lips fades and he takes a quick moment to reach out, the touch he lends to Vir’nas’s shoulder stopping the other man’s words abruptly and causing him to swallow hard as his gaze rises up to meet his Captain’s once again. “I will give you proper thanks when I am less busy.” He says reassuringly. “Until then, know that your efforts will not go unrewarded.” Without allowing the shorter man to answer, he pulls away and steps back into his room, closing his doors in the younger soldier’s face. A wide grin forms on Vir’nas’s lips before he spins on his heels and runs towards the stairwell beyond in order to go find the others so he can tell.
A sigh leaves her lips as she rises, taking a long moment to look over the blonde’s features. She will need someone to look after him while she is gone. If he were well, she’d simply shackle him to her and take him along but she cannot risk that in this state. Io’fayl moves towards the large doors to her chambers, signaling a guard on the other side to go and retrieve her Captain. While he would normally be escorting her, she trusts no other to watch over her Harbinger.
Her Harbinger had contracted some incurable disease. Her Harbinger had died. Her Harbinger had gone ballistic like he had a tendency to do and been killed by the Queen’s own hand. Rumor after rumor, all contending with an equal amount of buzz surrounding himself and his new bedmate of a subordinate he’d supposedly taken on. Every bit floating beneath the surface while the entire fortress continues to prepare for oncoming negotiations and possible new war. And while normally he didn’t care about the talk that flitted around inside these walls, hearing nothing of Kso’ppghiel’s true status is beginning to drive him insane. Today would be the day he’d be escorting his Mistress through her negotiations and he would see the truth of the matter once called, but to hear nothing beforehand has been taxing… A light knock at his chamber doors pulls a sigh to full lips and he opens his blue and green eyes to stare blankly into the light before a second knock has him calling out to whoever is on the other side to come in. He doesn’t turn his head when the guard pushes at his door and tell him their Queen has called for him, replying softly that he’d be there soon enough. He forces himself to remain calm despite the anticipation that begins to spread throughout him and pulls himself free of his bed once the guard has left him alone in order to dress, wanting so badly to break into a run to get upstairs but keeping himself in control despite it all. Minutes after he’d been called, the white haired Captain is moving down the long hall towards his Queen’s chambers, expression neutral and eyes cast down when he’s signaled in. Bal’thial stops in the middle of the room after daring a quick glance up to find the Harbinger labored in sleep while Io’fayl sits at his side stroking sweat dampened strands of white blonde hair. “Mistress…” “Captain… as you know I will be leaving for the negotiations but he is still too ill for me to keep by my side. So instead of an escort, I am…leaving you to care for him here. Please keep him contained within this room…” Io’fayl looks away and out to the terrace beyond. “Should he recover.” The Queen rises from her bed, rust colored eyes not rising to meet Bal’thial’s as she walks past him towards her chamber doors. “I will return in five days.” “As you wish, Mistress…” the tall Captain says quietly as he watches her move through the large doors to her chambers as they are held open, “As ever, I will not fail you.” She nods a little absently without turning back at his words before a soft clicking of the latch a moment later leaves both himself and the sickened Harbinger alone. Bal’thial remains in place for many long minutes, waiting until the Queen’s footfalls grow farther and farther away until there is only silence outside of her halls. Turning swiftly, the white haired man moves out onto her terrace, waiting again until he hears the resonating sounds of her entourage as they bustle somewhere far below before he’s turned back and made his way to her doors, speaking a quick spell that will lock them solidly against any that remain inside. Once secured, the Captain is moving towards the man he’s wanted to see for days, mismatched eyes sweeping over his features and finding relief that he still breathes before Bal’thial slides his body in close, slipping a clawed hand to Kso’ppghiel’s hair and stroke carefully in damp strands. Metal adornments capping long winding horns chime softly and long braided plaits spill over broad shoulders as he leans down to touch full lips against the Harbinger’s own, lending the other man the softest of kisses before he pulls back with a sigh. “I have missed you…” he whispers. “The time is nearly upon us...” Tired and glazed white eyes crack open and he smiles slightly. “I have missed you as well… Feeling like you are about to die is a good deterrent to not killing someone else…” His voice is quiet and thready. Kso’ppghiel’s hand fumbles forward, reaching for the Captain’s and closing his eyes once more when he finds his grip. “What would happen… if I died from this?” Bal’thial smiles softly as he raises the Harbinger’s hand towards his cheek and holds it against the side of his own face. “Should you die from this, you would be free of her hold…” the smile fades from the Captain’s lips and he dips his head just a little while gripping tighter around the other man’s hand. “And I would be broken.” Beyond all repair. “Should I die and become free… that would leave the Captain of her Guard devastated that he could not fulfill his duty… giving him plausible reason to leave her service of his own accord, granted or not… as he could not face his Queen after such a failure…” Kso’ppghiel attempts to sit up slightly, using his free hand to steady himself as the room sways. “Then he could perhaps meet a ghost outside of her fortress…” “And with that ghost,” the white haired man smiles as he slips his free hand around the other man’s back and helps him to sit up in completion. “He would travel to his homeland and show the apparition a world he has yet to see.” Glazed white eyes slowly reopen to meet the mismatched gaze before him, and he nods. “This death… would set both the Captain of his Queen’s guard and her Harbinger free.” Kso’ppghiel smiles. “The Forgemaster is close to that woman, something as important as a Harbinger’s death would call upon the advice of someone trusted by the Queen before the word spreads…” He takes a moment, the excitement of their new plan tiring him far too quickly. He only hopes he will be better in time. “Allowing him to switch out the swords and carry them where they can be safely procured later on… Perhaps he deems what I have to be contagious and although he is sure that woman would want proof of her Harbinger’s death… he would feel it necessary to burn the remains quickly as to avoid the spread of infection.” White eyes stay locked with mismatched blue and green. “The Captain finds himself so devastated… he flees rather than face her disappointment, leaving the swords, a reason and an excuse.” The smile on his face almost wicked. Clawed hands slip up to grasp onto the sides of the Harbinger’s face and Bal’thial leans down to push his lips against the blonde’s, the pleased smile painted on his mouth nearly as wicked when he pulls back. “Perfect” he grins. “A perfect death, one that will be carried out within a day’s time as there must be witnesses to attest that the Queen’s Harbinger grows only sicker no matter what her Captain does... the swords have already been crafted, and I will speak with our good Mastersmith, of course I must spend my nights within our Mistress’s chambers to tend to her ill pet as she wishes…” The blonde’s smile never fades as he lays himself back down, eyes closing as the need to rest overcomes him. He is improving but not well enough to move around. “Perhaps that child who favors you will need a personal explanation as to why his Captain cannot meet him for lessons… and to bear witness to her Harbinger’s worsening condition.” White plaits spill forward as the tall Captain leans over the blonde, an amused smile gracing his lips as he brushes at light blonde strands while mismatched eyes trace over every curve and detail of the one below. “Hasn’t his Queen’s Harbinger heard the news?” Bal’thial smirks softly. “That child is rumored to be the Captain’s new bedmate so I am sure he would be… devastated to learn his commanding officer has to delay their rendezvous while he tends to the sickly pet.” “I am… impressed at how predictable your soldiers are…” Kso’ppghiel’s hand reaches again for the Captain’s. “I will be saddened that we will not be able to show the child just how wrong he is about where your interests lie.” His smile fades slightly. “I am hopeful it will not take more than another day or two to recover enough so that we may survive our escape.” The smile fades from the tall Captain’s mouth and he pulls the Harbinger’s hand up to his lips to bite softly at clawed fingers before pulling back just enough to speak directly against pale skin. “You are not feverish as you were three days ago, and you are aware of me once again so I am hopeful for this as well.” Lowering Kso’ppghiel’s hand down, a seriousness creeps into the white haired man’s tone. “The journey between our Queen’s territories and that of my homelands is long and arduous, you will not be able to make it if you are not at full strength and while your ‘death’ will not have her searching for you, my leaving will still bring, at the very least a price to my head. She will be gone for five days, but if we cannot get at least a two day’s start, we will not make it.” “From what I have witnessed, it will normally take five days from onset to functionality again… if one does not die. If I were to die from this, it would have been the first day… I will require food, however, once I am able to consume it.” The Harbinger fights sleep as it threatens to overtake him. “If they want your head… they will have to kill me to get it…” The blonde’s breaths come slow and rhythmic as consciousness fades from him quickly. Bal’thial smiles, simply staring at the Harbinger’s features a little longer while he slips into sleep while clawed fingers take time to trace every curve and contour of his face before he leans down once again to bring his lips to Kso’ppghiel’s. Stopping just above, he brushes lightly before tracing over to the sleeping man’s ear to whisper directly within. “Rest well, Harbinger… I will return shortly.” Pulling away a moment later, Bal’thial carefully removes himself from the bed and takes swift steps towards the doors. A short slip of words dissipates the locking spell and his expression returns to the cold neutral look he’d had upon arrival as he steps out into the halls and moves towards the stairwell beyond. “Our Mistress’s chosen is not to be disturbed as he is very ill.” The Captain says to the guard stationed at the door, who nods quickly in turn. “No one but myself is to leave or enter her chambers.” A yes sir is issued that he doesn’t acknowledge as he continues on without pause. He will go see the Mastersmith first to inform him of their plan, and then he will pay a visit to an overzealous, rumor spreading youth soldier beneath his command.
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