Men who play games of war and soldiers born from circumstance...
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 Kso’ppghiel smirks. “As I told Yu’seal, I tried to kill you from the moment you presented yourself to me. No one has ever been allowed to touch me or know me…” Claw tips comb through a large chunk of white hair before starting on the smaller braids. “The more I am told of all those you have never given your heart to, those that have come and gone and tried, chasing ‘impossible dreams’, the happier I am that I was the one to finally earn it.” He laughs. “I believe I was the only one not even trying…” White eyes look over to his swords as they lay across his belongings. “You had told me you wanted a fair match to test our strength against one another. Now that we are in a position to do that, perhaps we can…. Unless you think that would be showing them up too much.” The blonde grins. Bal’thial can’t help the laugh that leaves him. “While it would most likely anger a few to bear witness to this” a sly grin begins to form on full lips as mismatched eyes slide back to meet white, “I myself would enjoy it. I have not as of yet, had that rematch I first wished for and if we were to ‘happen’ upon their daily training routines and find ourselves matched, it would be only fair that we follow through. After all…” his blue and green gaze slips over and narrows towards the entrance, catching a few pairs of various colored pupiless eyes momentarily before they scramble to move away. “-they seem to desire these shows we apparently put on by being together and it is the least we can do to provide them in exchange for the hospitality they have been showing us.” “Perhaps this is something we should plan for after you have spoken with the leader of this clan to find how things are going with the creature. I can speak with the younger counterpart if having me present would upset anyone. I know there are many others who would like to speak with you as well as to where you have been for the past thirty years, and I am sure they would prefer to converse with you alone.” Kso’ppghiel muses as he untangles the last of the braids while adding the last charm to the pile and running his fingers completely through Bal’thial’s freed hair. Mismatched eyes slip closed as Kso’ppghiel’s hands continue to comb through long wavy strands of white, each pass of clawed fingers sending the softest of chills running along his spine that he’s finding himself enjoying very much. “I do not find that I care whether they would be upset by your presence or not…” he says without reopening his eyes, the taller man’s head dropping just a little and soon the blonde is sliding closer to lift the plaits up towards his face. “Though we would most likely fair better separated, especially when it comes to the younger of those two. She has taken to you and it seems she is more likely to share the thoughts that pass between them when she is given your time...” blue and green eyes slide back open and he smirks. “The larger of the two may have staked her claim on me, but I am finding myself more troubled at the smaller’s infatuation of you. She appears as a child, but her eyes say something very different. When I am speaking with Dir’aan, I wish you to be careful.” “She may think what she pleases, I have explained how it can never be for either of us.” Kso’ppghiel pulls the Captain up by the grip on his hair, their lips seeking the other out as they draw close. The world melts around them for several moments, interrupted by the sound of the crowd that begins to congregate near the tent’s entrance. Both men pull back with a sigh and Bal’thial rises, sending their audience scattering. “I should be close upon your return.” The blonde gathers the ties and charms, rising himself to walk over to their piled things to find a cloth to wrap them in for safe keeping. “You be careful as well, with so many that desire your company.” He muses. The white haired man smiles as he leaves, long hair flowing behind as he exists the tent to leave the Harbinger alone. Kso’ppghiel settles back down by the food, grabbing a piece of bread before speaking. “Child… I wish to speak with you.” It only takes a moment before the small girl comes into view, her large dark eyes staring intently at the blonde as she stands a few paces from the furs he remains seated on. “Are you angry with me…?” she starts quietly. “She did not hurt him, she only wished to show him her name.” “What she wishes is not possible, nor does he want it. She did hurt him, intention or not. I thank you for making her stop but it should never have happened in the first place. I wish to know if there are any among the men here, aside from my companion, that she has any interest in.” Kso’ppghiel sighs as he remembers that he is speaking with, for all intensive purposes, a child. “I am not angry with you, only very frustrated at this entire situation. We are doing this to help and she is making that near impossible. Why will she not understand that he does not want her? There is absolutely nothing she can do to change this.” “You must understand.” The small girl says matter of factly as she takes a few tentative steps forward, looking both hopefully and expectantly at the man in front of her. “We have been in existence since before they came, before they stole our last companion from us. She has made sure we continue by finding strong males and mating. They have never denied her. They have always wanted her in return. She does not understand why your companion does not want her as the others did. It has been this way for as long as I have memory and has never differed until now. She… does not understand. I did not understand. But I am trying to show her as you have showed me and I am confident that she will find a new companion here and when she does, she will forget.” The young girl takes another step forward, waiting for approval to sit as she continues speaking. “It… is not completely her fault.” She admits “I have found that I do not wish to forget and this makes it… difficult.” Kso’ppghiel sighs as he waves a hand, signaling the young girl to sit. She does so happily, containing her excitement as much as possible to the blonde she desires to be close to. “Things change, there was bound to be one out there that would deny her out of all the men in this world. If she wants a strong male who wants her in return, she can find that, but it will not be him, no matter how much she wishes it.” White eyes meet dark ones. “Neither of us are here for anyone’s taking. I am sorry this is not how you would prefer, but it cannot be.” Kso’ppghiel is finding he understands Bal’thial’s frustration better with those who do not seem to take a hint that he is not interested and will never be. The young girl spends a few moments in silence just staring intently up at the tall man before she nods slowly. “I would not prefer it impossible.” She says quietly. “But… I understand. I do not wish to forget. I wish you to be our companion as much as he but I do not want to steal so I will not and I will not let her do this either. I will make sure we find a new companion here as you have asked.” Dark eyes slide away momentarily, traveling towards the piled clothing and wrapped trinkets that lay at the opposite end before moving back to meet Kso’ppghiel’s white gaze. “You cautioned your companion… warned him not to allow those into other’s hands. Why? Are they special to him?” His eyes flick towards the wrapped charms before returning to pupiless dark. “They are his, therefore they are a part of him. It does no good to continue to feed fantasies that cannot be fulfilled. Your other half is not the only one who wants him, there are many others within this clan who would take him as well if they could. If they cannot have him, they may at the very least attempt to take things he has attachment to. Those, like himself, are not for others to claim. They will be re-braided back into his hair once we are able to find someone who can do it.” Kso’ppghiel sighs once more. “Are there any at all yet she has had any interest in?” “There are many strong males here.” She says quietly, her gaze slipping back towards the clothing and settling once again on the wrapped charms. “But there are not any she has found interest in. There is one male though that I believe would suit us and make her forget…” pulling her dark eyes away from the pile and back up to meet white, a thoughtful look crosses her small features. “But I do not know if he wishes to mate. He has been with many but inside he desires only one and she will not like this. She will not want to take his face and I do not know how to make her so I have said nothing.” “It does not hurt to inquire, perhaps he may if she presents herself honestly. She does not need to take anyone else’s face. Deception is not the basis for anything and to take a different face is such. Who is this? Maybe we can speak with him, tell him the situation, have them meet, he may be receptive. Who does he desire?” If there is any hope, Kso’ppghiel simply wants the situation over and done with, the child’s reluctance to speak up will not help any of them. “He… desires what she desires.” The young girl says quietly. “Your companion. He is the male you spoke with when the light had risen in the sky. I feel he will be a good companion and that he will be able to make her forget.” Dark pupiless eyes slip back over towards the wrapped charms and her tone falls low. “But as I have said, he wishes for only one and that one, she wants as well so I do not think she will take his face because of it. There are others he has mated with and enjoyed that she could take the face of, but it would be better for them both if the one he desires the most is the face she grants… I… do not want another to deny her the way yours has denied her.” “Yu’seal…?” Kso’ppghiel smirks to himself. “I believe there is a way we can help with this. I understand he desires my companion, but he also thinks that he is not capable of giving out his heart, keeping him on the same level as the others. My companion’s heart is already taken, there is nothing he can do. Should he explain this to Yu’seal, he may understand, she need only to present herself as herself in physical form and they may find the other is what they need as just they are. There is no need for her to give the illusion she is anyone else. There is more of a chance he would deny her if he was shown another’s face.” Hell, the blonde doesn’t care if they mourn the inability to have Bal’thial together, as long as they start talking. He stands, grabbing the girl and spinning her around playfully in his excitement before setting her carefully back down. “This… is a good thing, trust me. I will speak with my companion, we can arrange a meeting.” A smile forms on the young girl’s mouth and she nods, staring up into pupiless white eyes. “I will be hopeful then.” She says moments before lifting her arms up for Kso’ppghiel to take with an expectant grin. “Please do that again.”
 The tall Captain sighs and sits back in the small wooden chair, crossing strong arms beneath his chest. “It will change once she finds another” “I’m not so sure it will after the colorful little ‘talk’ we had when you and that friend of yours decided to leave me alone with her.” The clan leader snorts. “And my question to you is why you thought it a good idea to bring something like that here? Thirty years you’ve been gone and you appear out of nowhere, send everyone here in an uproar at your presence and bring with you some creature that could easily destroy the lot of us if it fancied her. You have a real knack for trouble, that doesn’t seemed to have changed and I’d kick you out on that pretty ass of yours right now in all truth if I didn’t run the risk of not only that female’s wrath, but nearly the entire clan’s.” Bal’thial laughs. “Bold words as always Dir’aan, and yet there seems to have been a little bird flittering about with a rumor that I have decided to rejoin.” “Oh come now, it’s only fair isn’t it?” the mercenary snorts as he reaches forward to grab at one of the cups resting on the table between them. “You want me to give up one of my men to get that female off your back don’t you? Why shouldn’t you come back then? Things could easily return to what they were, even with the general dead. Your friend there might have a bit of trouble considering those coveted affections of yours he’s got, but they’d all accept him at some point” “They could not.” The white haired man answers matter of factly. “Friendships and loyalties in Io’fayl’s kingdom were rare commodities indeed and while I did manage to gain them while in service, I gained quite a few enemies as well simply by being in the position that I was. You know that I am carrying quite the price on my head, Dir’aan, and every moment I spend here in this camp is another moment’s risk to your men.” “And you know full well that not one here would betray you for a few sacks of gold, especially to that particular warlord.” The mercenary retorts after taking a sip of the mead in his hand. “That excuse is a poor one. The clan has been lacking since the general died and you up and left us. They need you, hell I need you, as sorry as that is.” “Poor or not it is valid.” The tall Captain smirks. “And as much as I do appreciate this need you all seem to have of me, I have little need of you in return. Both my companion and I have our own agendas, most of which do not lie within this clan and there is little you can say that will convince me to cast our plans aside and retake a position here. I simply want to rid myself of that creature and this is the only reason I have come back at all.” “Ouch.” Dir’aan says while pulling his hand up to his heart in an overly exaggerated gesture. “Just as cruel and cold hearted as ever. You always did know how to strike right to the core didn’t you?” “You would know better than most, hm?” “Yu’seal’d disagree there, I think.” Both men stare at each other for a moment longer before breaking out in soft laughter, the clan leader soon shaking his head. “Ah well, it was a good hope to have, even if it was short lasting. But-“ he says as he pulls a finger up to point at the one seated across from him. “-don’t be thinking that you’re going to just leave without word this time around. No matter where you travel after this, you’d better find a way to keep in contact or I’ll cart your stubborn ass into the south, hand you over to that bitch Queen of yours and claim that reward for myself.” Bal’thial uncrosses his arms and chuckles while moving to stand up. “As you wish, oh benevolent leader.” Dir’aan stands as well with a smirk, bright purple eyes watching the tall man as he paces casually towards his tent’s entrance, long snow colored strands trailing behind. “As much as an ass you are, I really have missed you Bal’thial.” Without looking back, the sunlight streams into the enclosed area as he pushes the flap away with a teasing smirk. “That, Dir’aan, is the talk of a woman.” And with that he steps out, the shaking of the clan leader’s head lost as the tent flap slips back closed.
 The others around him continue to stare, cast him looks, or generally ignore his presence as the blonde moves through the area, paying none of them any mind while white eyes search for the one he seeks. A soft chiming of metal catches his attention a few yards away from the tent and he changes direction in order to intercept, rounding a tent into a small clearing to find Bal’thial conversing a little impatiently with a small group of mercenaries that surround him with enthusiastic looks painted on the features. Mismatched eyes slide up to meet his gaze from across the clearing the moment he comes into view, and he smirks towards the group between them before mouthing a word. -Ambushed- The blonde smiles a little, standing in place and crossing his arms to let Bal’thial continue to be adored until that same mismatched gaze turns to almost pleading. A small chuckle leaves Kso’ppghiel as he steps in, moving seamlessly though the group, much to their annoyance to lace himself right before Bal’thial’s face. The instant the white haired man turns to him, the Harbinger’s claws have threaded behind flowing white locks pulling the Captain in for a deep and passionate kiss. A few gasps and scoffs ring around them that the two men ignore as they become lost in the other’s presence for a few moments before Kso’ppghiel finally pulls away slowly. “There is promising news I must discuss with you...” White eyes flick to the annoyed gazes directed solely at him. “Privately.” “Oh?” the Captain says with a smile before tilting his head in once more to claim another brief kiss, that smile widening at the reaction he elicits from this “I could use promising news at this moment.” Slowly pulling back, mismatched eyes flick towards the small crowd. “And I think privately would be the best way for you to convey it.” He says pointedly to pull a small laugh from the Harbinger’s mouth and soon, he’s turning and clawed fingers are sliding across the taller man’s shoulder in order to grab at a chunk of snow tinted hair and tug him easily past the gathered men. An amused smile graces full lips as he’s continuously pulled along, blue and green eyes flicking back to meet a mixed range of emotion before slipping to his front to rest on a crown of white blonde. “And again, I am in your debt, my Harbinger. They did not want to let me go once they had cornered me.” “They will hate me by the time we leave, if they do not already…” White eyes glance back to meet the Captain’s mismatched gaze. “For stealing you away so much.” Kso’ppghiel leads them back through the camp and to their tent, pulling Bal’thial in quickly. “I have spoken with the younger of the two. She believes there is one among them who is strong enough, but there is one problem… This one only has eyes for you and the creature will not take your face when it wants you it’s self. I told her that it should not be taking another’s face in the first place. She has not told the other of him yet because of this fact but I believe if you inform him where your heart truly lies he will understand it is not to be and he will be more receptive to another. Right now he still thinks that as long as your heart has not been given, he has as much chance as anyone to be with you. The man is Yu’seal.” “Yu’seal?” Bal’thial says in surprise. “It… wants Yu’seal?” metal adornments capping winding horns chime softly as he shakes his head, moving to sit down on the furs with a sigh. Pulling his leg up to rest his arm across his knee, he spends a few moments lost in thought as everything the Harbinger has said rings throughout his head. Mismatched eyes travel up to meet white the moment the blonde sits beside him, he offers the other man smirk. “So it appears that Yu’sa’s intent really had been for myself, and it will make speaking with him about this matter… difficult. He is an old friend and I have little issue in making it absolutely clear that my heart has indeed been given, but to ask him to give his life to those creatures is… much. I am not sure he will agree.” “I believe there is no need to ask him.” Kso’ppghiel shakes his head. “She can go to him later, once he fully understands where your heart is. She can ask him herself, present herself and what she is and let him make the decision on his own without your influence. If he knows he cannot longer hold out hope for you, it may make him more receptive to others as a whole.” The blonde places a hand on Bal’thial’s shoulder. “The discussion need not be directly about Yu’seal’s feelings for you. He did want to speak with you about where you have been. He need not know that you specifically know, I am sure he will ask questions pertaining to our relationship that you will be able to answer truthfully, that will answer this for him.” The tall Captain nods as he reaches up to slip clawed fingers into flowing strands of white with a sigh. “I have a feeling that this will be a long… and arduous night.” mismatched eyes slide over to meet the Harbinger’s gaze. “Though if he agrees to become that creature’s new companion, Dir’aan’s insistence that I rejoin this clan will begin again a hundred fold. There are many familiar faces here, but only two that fought closely by my side when Eer’sanel had control. Yu’seal is one of those two, the other is Dir’aan himself. Losing both myself and Yu’sa in one sitting will not go over very well, I am sure…” he smirks softly as he slides his hand free of his hair. “It will change little of the outcome as I will speak with Yu’sa regardless and make that creature’s introduction possible, but I would not be surprised if Dir’aan decided to conveniently forget old loyalties and cash in on the price Queen Io’fayl has put on my head in retaliation alone.” “Then he is no friend if that is all it takes for him to change loyalties.” Kso’ppghiel smirks. “Yu’seal could have left of his own accord with or without you and he would have to understand this. He already thought you dead.” The blonde leans forward, lips moving in close as he speaks. “If he has fought beside you, then he will know that you cannot be tamed, no matter his desires. He can blame me, if he so chooses. I am sure the others will, it does not matter to me. Men are allowed to choose their own paths, with or without his approval. Speak to him close to sundown, since the creature is most active at night…” The sounds of men gathering for daily training sound through the area and Kso’ppghiel smiles as he rises. “Until then, we have a rematch to attend to.” “Yes, we do have that and at this moment, I am finding the distraction from these matters rather appealing” The taller man rises as well but instead of moving towards his weapon, he reaches out to pull the Harbinger against him instead. “Though before we give those men yet another show they crave, you, my Harbinger will have to tend to my hair.” Bal’thial grins. “In this state, it has the potential to give you an unfair advantage.” Kso’ppghiel grins. “I need no unfair advantage as I will take you down blindfolded with one hand tied behind by back.” The two men laugh before leaning in for a passionate kiss.
 “Sloppy.” Blue and green eyes slide over to rest on Yu’seal as he stands across the clearing, intently watching the mercenaries in their work and he smirks. “Dir’aan was foolish to allow Yu’sa of all people to oversee this, no wonder they cannot hold their stances…” The blonde smirks to himself, Bal’thial will always be a Captain by nature. He feels somewhat badly for robbing the world of such a good, if not smug, leader, but he is admittedly selfish for keeping the white haired man for himself. It is a good thing Bal’thial feels the same in return. A few of the men around them scoff at the words, the blonde figuring they must be the new members who have never seen the Captain in action. White eyes flick to Yu’seal, who looks both amused and slightly embarrassed. A hint of longing taints silvery eyes as he looks at Bal’thial and Kso’ppghiel feels badly as he knows the later conversation will hurt the man. The rest of their eyes move from the Captain to him, mixed expressions of annoyance and jealousy playing throughout. “Yu’sa!” the taller man shouts with a flick of his head, his attentions seemingly focused in on the mercenary alone. “This is painful to watch, what have you been teaching them? Children’s games?” all manner of eyes turn to rest on Bal’thial, those who know the white haired man and those who don’t and his words stop the two in the center as well. “Arrogant and cocky, oh how I’ve missed you.” Yu’seal replies with a smile tinted with embarrassment he can barely mask. “I guess spending time in the southern territories has gone to your head. Training is no different here than it was when you graced this clan with your presence.” “That is entirely the problem,” Bal’thial smirks as he uncrosses his arms. “That any of them have not been killed fighting like this is a wonder. Like your ambushes, their movements are loose and easy to predict.” “Thial, by all means then.” Yu’seal snorts as waves his hand to the men standing dumbfounded in the center of the clearing. “Please educate us with those unmatched skills of yours. I wouldn’t want to be the one responsible for the unnecessary deaths of these men.” And despite his taunting words, he finds that he’s excited to see the tall Captain fighting once again. It’s been far too long since he’s been able to watch his old friend in action and this at least is giving him the perfect opportunity to witness it once more. Mismatched eyes slide over to white and he smirks, choosing to ignore the mix of excitement from those that know and the contempt from those that don’t that begins to break out as he speaks. “I suppose it is now time for you to take me down…” turning as the mercenaries standing at the center of the clearing begins moving away, he starts in with a chuckle. “The blindfold is optional.” Kso’ppghiel laughs, pulling his swords from their sheaths before tossing the leather to the ground. The familiar worn hilts in his hands bring him a comfort he missed as he steps forward to meet the Captain’s eyes. “I think I would prefer to see the look on your face when you are lying on your back with my sword at your throat.” He leans forward in the guise of stealing a kiss before he crosses his swords to the front, pushing Bal’thial away and readying himself while the taller man grabs his own weapon. The small latch releases as the white haired man grabs the hilt, bringing the metal forward so quickly that Kso’ppghiel barely has time to defend. The blonde smirks and races forward to attack. He deflects the defensive blow, pushing the serrated weapon to the side with one sword and using the other to catch just the tip of Bal’thial’s braid as the taller man ducks just in time to miss the oncoming sweep. Bal’thial swings his leg around, catching the blonde to send him toppling. The Harbinger lands on his back, swords immediately up to block the metal coming down at him, pushing the Captain away and almost making the white haired man lose his balance as his flips himself up. All color of eyes are riveted on the two as the taller man sweeps around once he catches his footing, ducking down just as the blonde is straightening and lunging twin long swords forward just as the serrated edged black is whistling towards his legs. Kso’ppghiel spins his blades around in mid movements and jumps just as the Captain’s sword is about to hit, his feet hitting the partially muddied ground a second later as he twists to strike all over again. Bal’thial dips back, missing the other man’s swords by only a centimeter and he smiles as he spins again, the loud clang of their weapons ringing in a jarring hit as one man blocks the other’s with his own. Fire filled mismatched eyes meet white as they spend a few moments attempting to push each other back, neither gaining much leeway while collective the group’s breath seems to hitch as they remain locked in close. “I stand by my first assessment of you, Harbinger.” The white haired man says as he shoves the blonde away, their swords screeching and small sparks flying as the movements separate their weapons in one swift push. Twisting around, white hair streams along with his blurred movement as their weapons meet once again “You have much in the way of raw skill and I look forward to helping you refine it.” Kso’ppghiel grins as their weapons and bodies slide together. “I find myself looking forward to this as well.” He pushes the Captain back enough to free his swords, the blonde slamming the blades down into the soft earth as he uses them for leverage. Jumping up, he plants both boots against Bal’thial’s chest, knocking the taller man to the ground flat on his back. Kso’ppghiel pulls his swords free and runs forward, putting a knee to the Captain’s chest as one of his swords aims for the white haired man’s throat. Clawed fingers reach up, yanking on blonde locks and Bal’thial brings the edge of his own blade up to touch at the Harbinger’s neck just as the cold metal of the longsword touches his. All eyes remain on them as a silence permeates throughout as they wait for either one to make what they feel would be a final blow. The two men stare hard at each other, heavy breaths the only noise they make as fiery eyes remain locked. A small smile forms at the corner of Kso’ppghiel’s lips as he speaks between panting breaths. “I believe one would call this a tie… Captain.” “In that, my Harbinger.” The taller man says quietly through his own panting breaths. “You would be right…” Both sets of weapons slowly begin to ease as mismatched eyes remain locked with white and soon they are moving to meet the other with intents to share a tension filled kiss but before their mouths can meet, Yu’seal is clearing his throat and pulling their attentions back to their surroundings. Both men’s gazes slide over to meet silvery gray and Bal’thial smirks at the surrounding excitement that breaks out soon after as Kso’ppghiel is sliding away. The blonde shifts his swords into one hand and clawed fingers are offered soon after which he takes, the shorter man lifting the Captain up to his feet. A soft whistle leaves the mercenary’s lips as he moves forward to their fronts while a fair amount of others are moving to surround them with both excited looks and envious painted on all manner of features. “Impressive Thial, your skills have grown far beyond what I remember them to be. Whatever can be said about that warlord of yours, is seems she’s done you right” Yu’seal says. “And you.” He nods at the Harbinger. “You two spar as if you’ve been training together for years.” His gaze meet Kso’ppghiel’s momentarily before shifting back, his words carrying a tint of envy. Bal’thial laughs as he swings his sword behind him, narrowly missing a few who had come in behind and paying the gasps that leave them no mind as his weapon clicks back into place. “Unlike yourself, Yu’sa, I have never been one to allow myself to lapse. And while he and I have fought on occasion during that time, this would be the first time we have found a chance to truly spar.” Silvery gray eyes widen a bit in surprise and shift back to meet the blonde’s gaze “Is that so? Who did you train with if it was not him?” “My father taught me how to wield a sword. It was survival that taught me how to fight. I have never truly trained.” White eyes shift over to Bal’thial. “Though he seems to think I require his teaching to improve when my sword reached his neck as fast as his did.” He smiles, ignoring Yu’seal’s surprise. “That woman, however...” His smile fades, returning to his normal cold exterior as his thoughts turn to Io’fayl. “Has taught me nothing and I would be surprised if she taught Bal’thial anything he did not already know.” His eyes glance over quickly to catch mismatched blue and green before he turns away, pushing back through the crowd and heading back towards the tent without another word. Yu’seal blinks as both men watch the Harbinger disappear around a corner from across the clearing, finally pulling his gaze away to meet the Captain’s and finding that same gaze still on the spot the other man had occupied a moment ago. “What was that all about?” Bal’thial says nothing immediately, before he sighs, finally turning to meet the mercenary’s gaze. “It is… nothing I care to elaborate on with the present company listening” he nods at the gathered men with a smirk “Finish training your men, I will speak with you later.” Yu’seal nods as the tall man turns away to move through the crowd despite the protests he gains from doing so, walking through the clearing to make his way back to his tent as well.
The blonde smirks. “I believe it means that my ‘raw’ skills are just as good as your highly trained and honed ones. I did enjoy it though, it is something we should do more often. With or without an audience.” He signals the Captain in, sitting up to help remove the sword that hangs from his shoulder before placing it to the side and turning to loosen the tie that holds his braid together. Clawed fingers run through silken white strands as he props himself up over Bal’thial as he lies down on the furs. “You did not have to follow. I am fine. I did not want to interrupt their apparent awe of your skill.” He teases. “Hm…” the taller man smiles as clawed fingers continue to run through his hair. “It was not just me they were in awe of, Kso’ppghiel.” Mismatched eyes slide up to meet white as the Harbinger is leaning in to put his nose to a handful of snow tinted hair. “I followed because I prefer your company over that of a bunch of unskilled youths and there is nothing save a complete overhaul of their regimens that I could to so save them. While Dir’aan would love that I undertake that duty, I do not desire it. I would be wasted amongst this clan.” He smirks in amusement as his teasing voice falls low. “You would not want to see me wasted now would you?” A small laugh leaves the blonde. “You were not wasted as a Captain but you chose to leave that position. I am beginning to think your wants are colored by desire for myself” he leans in to whisper into Bal’thial’s lips. “Not one second by your side is a waste, no matter what you do or who you serve. If for some odd reason you did decide to rejoin this clan, I would stay by your side, though I could never be among their ranks specifically. I do not think they would like that, however, and I would be stealing most of your time with personal… endeavors.” The taller man grins before nipping at the Harbinger’s bottom lip, tilting his head a moment later to sweep his mouth softly. “Yes… that would become a bit of a problem… for them.” They meet a moment later for a kiss they almost lose themselves to before he pulls just slightly back. “But problem or no, I do not wish to spend my days here, having your attentions… or mine taken by these men any more than I would agree to become that creature’s companion.” Mismatched eyes slip closed and Bal’thial’s head falls back as Kso’ppghiel begins tracing down the length of his neck. “I am greedy for your time, Harbinger, and I am anxious to resolve our current problem so that I may hoard that time to myself once again.” A small smile graces Kso’ppghiel’s lips as he reaches the Captain’s collarbone, nipping lightly before returning to the taller man’s lips. “It seems we keep finding ourselves distracted from that at every turn. I do wonder why this is. Though I suppose we have time before the sun goes down and you to have your talk, and watching you fight does have a certain affect on me… as well as probably at least half of the men that were watching.” Full lips brush Bal’thial’s. “I do not believe I could stand to be one of them, looking but not being able to touch, knowing that another man has his filthy, untrained hands all over you…” Clawed fingers reach out to grab the white haired man’s wrists, pinning them down against the furs below. The tall Captain grins slyly up moments before strong legs fly up to wrap around the blonde’s waist and in one swift movement; he wrenches Kso’ppghiel to the side and around. The Harbinger’s back hits the furs as one thick braid slips down, fiery mismatched eyes locked with white as Bal’thial now straddles the one below. Leaning down even as the grip is maintained on his wrists, he brushes his lips once before words are spoken directly against his mouth. “I personally find that I am heated over the thought of these filthy, untrained hands touching every part of me and am going to insist that it continues,” he smiles and nips playfully then whispers. “Now”
The tall Captain sighs as he sits back against the tent’s wall. “I did, of course.” He answers while sliding his knee up and draping his arm across it. “But life in the southern territories, in that position… kept me busy.” “Seems so.” The mercenary sighs as well. “And your friend?” he continues with a quirk of an eyebrow. “He told me some interesting things earlier, that you’d been beating him down or some such. How’d he go from that to your bed? Seems to be pretty devoted to someone who’d been abusive…” “Ah…” Bal’thial smirks. “Well that was… circumstance, for us both. Queen Io’fayl’s tactics in war are unique in a way.” “She sends those, what do you call them?” Yu’seal interrupts. “Scouts… no, Harbingers hm?” “Harbingers.” The white haired man nods and a questioning look forms on the mercenary’s face. “Hold on, didn’t you call him-?” “I did, he was to be her current.” Bal’thial slides his finger up as Yu’seal’s mouth begins to open in order to silence him. “Kso’ppghiel caught her attentions by word of mouth. You have seen how he fights, and it was that skill that earned him a name amongst the clans he had been traveling with in the east. That name got back to her and she ordered me to retrieve him after I ‘offered’ him the position of Harbinger.” “And this would be why he claimed to want to kill you from the first day you met.” Yu’seal shakes his head. “He was not very cooperative.” The white haired man chuckles. “To myself, my men or her and there were many a day that I spent attempting to ‘train’ him to be what Io’fayl wished.” Bal’thial’s expression straightens. “The more time I was ordered to spend with him, the more I realized there were feelings there and soon, doing what my Queen had wanted me to do became… difficult. I did not understand why at first because what I found myself feeling was not anything I had ever felt before, but in time, it became apparent. For us both.” A slow frown begins to form on Yu’seal’s mouth. He doesn’t like where this is going… “So…” he begins quietly. “When he said you chose him over your Queen…” “He did not lie.” Bal’thial smiles a soft smile. “I had always thought others foolish for the lengths I have seen them go when their heads and hearts were filled with that emotion and not once before I met Kso’ppghiel did I believe I would be counted amongst them.” A quiet chuckle leaves him as metal adornments capping his horns chime when he shakes his head. “What one will do for love, hm?” The other man’s expression falls noticeably, the disbelief in his features clear. “Thial…” Mismatched eyes lock with silvery gray, the tall Captain’s tone suddenly serious. “I love him, Yu’sa, so much so that I would sacrifice everything that I am without thought. I have never felt that way about anyone before in my life. Without hesitation, I gave up thirty years by Queen Io’fayl’s side, thirty years in a life with a position I had planned on keeping until the day I died because the moment he came in and filled a place in my heart I did not even know had been lacking, I found that everything I had been working for until that point meant nothing if I could not have him there besides me. If I could have remained where I was with him, I might have, but it was not possible and so I did the only thing I could do. I freed him. I do not, and will never regret that choice, nor will I ever look back.” Yu’seal stares at the other man for a long moment in silence before his blank gaze slides down towards the furs, his voice so low it could be a whisper. “Is that why… you came back then? Because I’d… hoped…” “No. I had no intentions of returning Yu’sa.” Bal’thial says matter of factly. “The life I led here died with Eer’sanel and I have never had plans on rekindling it. We were traveling in the opposite direction actually, on our ways to visit his family’s graves and we stumbled across some… creatures. One of those took to me; you could say and refused to leave us in peace. The only way we are to regain that peace is to help them find what they need; a suitable mate” Silvery gray eyes find a way to pull up and meet blue and green, the mercenary’s tone rather flat. “So… you came back, after all this time, for that and that alone?” Bal’thial nods and Yu’seal pulls his hands up to his face, raking clawed fingers back and through his hair before rising to his feet and moving away from the seated man. “You… are such an asshole.” Swinging his fist to the side, the mercenary punches at the leather of the tent with a small frustrated growl before dropping his head and sighing in defeat. He doesn’t want to believe any of it really, doesn’t want his friend’s words to carry the truth they did. He’d lost this man thirty years ago, gained him back so suddenly it made his head spin only to find he’s losing him all over again. It’s hurting him more than he can accurately describe. “Even after all this time, you still know how to strike deep don’t you, Thial?” he whispers soon after. The tall Captain sighs and rises up as well behind the other man, his voice falling low. “There… is more, Yu’sa.” Mismatched eyes remain on the back of the mercenary’s head despite the fact that he refuses to turn around and face him. “That creature, that reason I returned… has decided to find interest in you...” Silvery gray eyes begin to rise up as his tent flap swings open and soon after the dark haired woman walks through, her deep gaze locking with his after lingering for a moment on the white haired man standing behind…
The Harbinger walks forward quietly, allowing Bal’thial to know his presence before he reaches the taller man. Clawed fingers reach forward to comb though white locks as he moves to the Captain’s side quietly, waiting for the other man to speak first. “I wish to leave before sunrise.” Bal’thial says quietly without taking his eyes from the rushing water. “I do not like the idea of slipping away in the night like some common thief, but I think it will be best…” the white haired man sighs as clawed fingers continue to comb idly through long flowing hair and soon mismatched eyes narrow and his voice falls low. “I should have never brought those creatures here.” “It was not solely you. You cannot carry all of the blame.” Kso’ppghiel speaks quietly as he moves to the Captain’s front. “It is hard to make rational decisions when something is out to steal you against your will, or the one you love.” Pain filled mismatched eyes looks up to meet white. “We will leave before sunrise if that is your wish. I will begin packing our things and can have us ready to go in under an hour.” He brings a clawed hand to the side of Bal’thial’s face. “I am sorry for the weight this place has placed on you.” Clawed fingers slide up to wrap around the other man’s hand and he leans slightly against him with a sigh. “I would have felt better in this had it not chosen Yu’sa…” allowing his eyes to slip closed, the taller man slips his head down while slowly pulling Kso’ppghiel’s hand away from his cheek before sliding it up to his forehead. “Or… perhaps I would not have cared as much had I not known the feelings he has apparently been harboring this entire time. In one breath I told him that he amounted to very little to me before I then threw him to the wolves…” blue and green eyes slide back open as he lowers the Harbinger’s hand into his lap, leaning forward soon after to rest his head against the broad chest that sits before him. “He is… a good man, and if he does not survive her intent like those villagers did not… I am to blame.” “I do feel if he does not want her, she would still default to you. I do not wish her to keep attempting to try and claim you, but if necessary we can move beyond her reach. Her finding a mate was never a burden we should have had to bear.” Kso’ppghiel’s free hand moves to comb lightly through white strands. “You cannot help who you love. It would have done Yu’seal no good for you to pretend anything. Not loving him as a mate does not mean he means very little to you. As your friend, he should know this. If you would feel better attempting to stop her, we can do this.” Lifting his head free of the Harbinger’s chest and sitting back just a little, mismatched eyes meet white soon after. “What I see before me is my only heart’s desire. I would not have pretended I want differently simply for an old friend’s sake… and Yu’sa should have known me well enough to know this would be so. But still… I find that I was not prepared for the look in his eyes or the guilt that streaked through me the moment they began speaking. I had two sets of eyes staring at me in there, one filled with hurt and both with a longing I could not, and will not ever return.” Blue and green eyes fall back down to the hand he holds in his lap and he shakes his head just a little. “This is not the first time I have seen these looks reflected at me, but it is the first time that I feel affected in this manner by it. I… do not want that creature to harm him, but it has little to do with a friendship I have thought nothing of since I left it behind. If he chooses to become that creature’s mate, and he is strong enough to survive, this guilt will ease and my conscious will be cleared…” He smirks. “I… am a terrible man for thinking this of an old friend.” Kso’ppghiel smiles slightly. “As I have said, I do not think she would take him if he were not strong enough nor had any desire to be with her. Give it a little time then, and we will go back to see what they have chosen. I believe he is strong and I have only just met him.” He moves his hand to lift Bal’thial’s chin, directing the mismatched gaze up to his own. “This is apparently your curse for being so desirable.” He teases. “No matter where you go, there will be men and women who will be hurt. You cannot control this save secluding yourself from all other life. While I would not mind, I do not feel you would enjoy cutting yourself off from civilization completely.” The blonde leans down to place a soft kiss on Bal’thial’s lips. Mismatched eyes slip back closed as the other man slowly pulls back from the soft kiss and clawed hands slide up to thread into strands of white blonde, the taller man leaning forward to rest his head against Kso’ppghiel’s with a quiet sigh. “I will be happier when this ordeal is behind us and I can return to thinking of nothing but what I am now holding in my hands…” Bal’thial’s blue and green gaze slides back open and the slightest hinting of a smile forms on his lips as he stares into the Harbinger’s eyes. “I may not be able to find it in me to seclude myself completely from civilization, but I am finding it tiresome to be amongst these men. There would never be a moment’s rest were we to stay and it would wear on me quickly…” without letting the blonde go, he pulls his forehead away and sits back just a little. “I am not sure in truth, how much more I can take of it and once I know Yu’sa will be okay, I wish to leave this behind as well…” The blonde nods. “We will be gone before sunrise.”
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