WORRLGENHALL (42 page)

After he watched Laad ride away, once the knowledge
Laad cared nothing about their secret set, he called Ovfren’s name.

Worried about what they could have talked about, Ovfre
n hurried over to find out.

“
Speak them,” Ovfren said, certain whatever they talked about was not good.

“
Before you sleep,’ Ogorec said, “Come to me.”

“
What words came from the Lord Master to you?” Ovfren questioned concerned.

“
I will speak of it this night,” Ogorec only offered.

Both begging for darkness to come, Ovfren fretted all day of what words Ogorec would tell him; then as a quiet came over WorrlgenHall, he made his way to his chamber.

Worried that still others were up and moving about, he was hesitant at first, but followed Ogorec’s command.

Quietly, he unlatched the hinge then came inside. His eyes looking at once to Ogorec
’s bed, he was surprised to find it empty; then as he looked around the chamber, saw Ogorec naked standing by the window looking out.

Quietly, Ovfren walked up behind him, lovingly kissing him on the back of his neck.

“What fills your head as you look out?” he asked, and put his arms around him, “Did the Lord Master speak dire words to you?”

“
You are all that fills my head,” Ogorec said turning, “And no.”

“
Then what were his words?”

Not answering, Ogorec put his arms around Ovfren; then moved away from the stoned wall, and pressed him to it before he kissed him passionately, and such was his kiss, Ovfr
en became almost breathless from it.

“
Aaaahhh,” was all Ovfren could gasp, as he inhaled to take in air, before Ogorec kissed him again.

“
Remove your clothes and come to bed,” Ogorec said, when he pulled his lips away, “Never have you only slept in my arms all throughout the night.”

Ogorec got in bed watched Ovfren undress in front of him. His muscles even more pronounced than before from his training with not an inch of fat anywhere on him, he fought to control himself from seizing him at moment.

“Sleep,” Ogorec whispered in his ear from behind when he came to bed, as he pulled him close and put his arms around him.

“
How long shall we sleep before I rise to leave you?” he asked, as he put his hand on Ogorec’s hand.

“
Long after the sunrise,” Ogorec whispered; then closed his eyes to sleep.

Still wary, as was his habit, Ovfren rose just before sunrise to leave, but when he tried to get out of bed, Ogorec pulled him close again.

“Umm,” he groaned, as he felt the heat of his body again press to his.

“
The sun will rise soon,” he warned, “I must leave.”

“
Let it shine in and onto us,” Ogorec said, then raised and rested his head on his hand, “And who sees you leave this chamber I care not.”

Pleased by his words Ovfren turned to face Ogorec
’s, and after being quiet for a moment, began to smile.

“
So smooth is the hair on your brows just as that along your chin, and when you shave it close and low on your face, it pleases me,” Ovfren said, as he touched it.

“
Then I will wear it this way for you,” Ogorec whispered, “To please you.”

“
And so handsome are you that the sight of you rushes blood all through me when I look at you,” he added.

“
Never would I have wanted such words from a man,” Ogorec confessed, “Until from your mouth they came, and now I long to hear them from you.”

Ovfren sighed from his love.

“Then shall we go back to sleep?’ he asked, while slowly he gliding his fingers down the hard muscles that lined Ogorec’s side, before he rested his hand on his tight rear.

The feel of his touch going slowly down his sid
e like the feel of cool air, chilling his spine yet heating his groin, Ogorec moved closer to Ovfren and put him onto his back.

“
If you had not touched me the way you did, yes,” Ogorec said, and got on top of him.

“
I only ran my fingers down your side,” Ovfren moaned, as he felt Ogorec’s manhood swelling.

“
And that was all it took.” Ogorec’s words into Ovfren’s neck, “Our time for sleep is over.”

**

Other than the chorus of chirping crickets from the darkened corners, all within WorrlgenHall quiet, Laad sprang forward awakened out of his sleep.

Believing he had dreamed the sound, he listened and heard nothing, then when he fell back onto his pillow to go back to slee
p, again pounding echoed throughout his chamber.

“
Lord Master!” the man yelled; then pounded again, “Lord Master!”

Laad jumped out of bed and dressed, then when hurried to the door, he pulled it opened quickly stepping into the hallway to keep from waking
Nona and the children,

“
Such pounding,” he cautioned, “You will wake all. What reason is there for it?”

Still half-asleep, he didn
’t really notice who the men were at first, but once the fog left his eyes, he saw they were guards to the king and knew why they were there.

“
When?” he questioned.

“…
in his sleep not long before,” one answered.

“
I will come.”

Nona awoke from the loud pounding and noticed Laad finishing dressing.

“What is wrong?” she groggily questioned, then noticed the seriousness of Laad’s face.

“
Irek,” he answered, as he sheathed his sword; then walked over to kiss her before he left the chamber, “Has died.”

Laad
’s feet went one in front of the other behind the sound of the guard’s steps, yet the actual cognizant thought of why hadn’t quite hit him. So deep in thought about his and Irek’s earlier words, when the guards suddenly halted, it seemed only seconds had passed before he left his chamber and was on Irek’s chamber floor.

As he walked farther, he noticed the hallway lined with guards to
the king, then after a strengthening pause to hold back emotion, he went inside.

Bowing his head to King Rone, who stood just across the threshold, somberly he nodded and stepped aside clearing Laad
’s path to go to Irek, and once he was in front of him, he looked down and sighed before carefully taking his still warm hand and kissing it.  

“
Journey well,” Laad’s solemn words, as he put Irek’s hand back upon his chest.

When he turned, King Rone touched Laad
’s shoulder and gave him Irek’s ring of authority. Cast from solid gold with a rounded flat head and the crest of Worrlgen in its center, it sat heavy on his finger and much to his surprise fit perfectly.

After Laad slid the esteemed ring of his finger, King Rone kept his word concerning Laad
’s bravery, skill, and knowledge by putting it to the task and making an exception for him in something he had not done for any other.

“
Kneel.”

Obediently, Laad kneeled and bowed his head while King
’s Rone put his hand on top of it.

“
You are now my Lord Helm, and it is my will that there will be no Lord Master under you,” his decree; then announced it aloud to those around him and to his royal scribe.

King Rone nodded pleased with his decision.

“Blow the horns of mourning,” he ordered, “That all may know Irek has left this life.”

After King Rone left the chamber, as soon as the door closed, Laad walked to Irek
’s widow and tenderly kissed her on her forehead.

“
I will greatly miss him. He was as much a father to me as my own,” Laad’s sincere words before he turned to leave.  

“
Wait,” Irek’s widow quickly said, then walked pass him to the door carefully putting her ear to it to make sure all had gone.

Laad looked at her curiously wondering what she could want and waited.

“Dare you let others eyes behold this!” she warned when she turned back to him; then gave him a small wooden chest, “Away from all. Only should you open it… away from all Laad.”

Laad took it, nodded that he understood, and tucked it under his arm.

“Were any of his words before he left this life of me?” he questioned.

A smile came upon her somber face, and her saddened eyes lifted, as she revealed his last words.
“Rise and rule!”

T
he line of men stretched across the countryside, as Laad honored Irek with a grand ceremony, which lasted long into the day and part of the night, and was a somber moment, even for King Rone, Baric, and Bayl, who were among them.

Baric on
the right of the king and Bayl on the left meant Ogorec and Belon were closer to each other, yet all through ceremony neither spoke to the other, although Belon glanced over at Ogorec many times.

As the guilds lined and rode pass him, they cut their hand
in honor of him letting their blood drip onto his body while the other men who rode or walked by clang their swords onto their shields or breastplates loudly.

The footmen lined, some beating their marching drums while others blew their horns. Both groups
sounded and pounded away which such fervor there was no doubt it resonated as far as Eldernon Mountains.

After all the guilds rode pass Irek
’s body, when the ceremony ended Laad set it ablaze, but as he watched from his horse, when the guilds began to ride back to WorrlgenHall, when some passed Laad, they put the palm of their cut hand over their guild band.

Just as some did in front of Laad, when Loth passed him, he did the same, but afterwards turned his horse to sit beside him.

“Helm Laad,” he casually asked, “How long will you tarry?”

“
Until his body is no more,” he answered. His eyes fixed upon the blaze.

Loth rested his arm on his knee and shifted his weight to sit more comfortably and wait with Laad, and as both sat silently, Laad didn
’t question why he remained beside him, he knew.

“
A wise one has left us,” Loth finally broke the long silence.

His friend beside him, Laad expressed some of what ran through his head as he watched Irek becoming ashes.

“Yes,” he agreed, “I am fearful I may fail in my lead of men. My wisdom falls well short of his.”

“
You are indeed wise and will strengthen this kingdom,” Loth gave his assuring words, and looked over at him, “And I shall watch proudly as you do, following all commands given me.”

“
If such is to be with me, I want it with one by my side I trust,” Laad said, as he looked at the fire, but not at Loth.”

“
Who is such?”

Laad now turned to Loth, and looked at him surprised he didn
’t already know. 

“
The king has decreed a Lord Master will not serve under me,” he revealed, “I know of only one with the bravery, strength, and loyalty that I give him eagerly my words and welcome his. And, I know no other I would have by my side in my command as Lord Helm other than you.”

No need for words, Loth gave him an accepting nod. Their roles and duty in the beginning making it necessity to fight alongside the other, as well as eat, sleep, and travel, morphing that allegiance into a well-founded friendship over time, neither would
dare break such a trusted bond.

Now completely dark, when the flames had subsided from the fire, both began to ride back to WorrlgenHall, and as they rode Laad now questioned Loth about what he saw earlier.

“Why did some who rode pass me put their cut hand on their wristband?”

Loth said nothing, as the trotted along a little farther; then he looked over to Laad.

“It is their pledge to you,” he answered, “As I spoke when we camped out waiting for Lord Baric, you have many who hold you in high regard.”

“
Loth,” Laad warned, “Dare you speak of treachery? Do not force my hand.”

“
I would never,” he admitted, and teased, “Oh, Helm Laad, so humble you are.”

“
Helm Laad?” Laad looked at him and raised his eyebrow remembering he called him it earlier also.

“
It rolls off the tongue with more ease,” Loth said, and laughed.

“
I swear Loth,” he said, while shaking his head, “How many names shall you give me?”

“
Many until you have but one.”

“
What such name?”

“
King.”

Laad brou
ght his horse to a halt.

“
Do you want us beheaded?” he questioned, “Mind your tongue.”

“
My words are only to you,” his reply, “I know how to mind my tongue well and have, yet we both know what will come. You have risen such that it could only be by fate and from this fate I have only one more name to give you and it is king.”

“
Speak of it no more;” Laad warned him, “I command it.”

Loth nodded his obedience; then spurred his horse forward, and as they again rode, neither spoke until they reached gates of Wo
rrlgenHall.

“
One great has died when not in war,” Loth reminded, as they now trotted under the gate’s steel spikes.”

“
The ritual.” Laad remembered; then scowled wishing it had been among the
old
ways
turned from when the King Edre of WorrlgenHall abandoned pagan practices and embraced the church, “Is vile to me.”

“
As to me,” Loth agreed, “But it has stayed well a rite within the men, so I gather has begun.”

Laad gave a disdainful nod.

“After I drink to Irek in the king’s hall,” Laad’s words before he rode off, “I will come and drink to Irek’s journey with the men.”

**

As Baric rode back into the walls of WorrlgenHall, Ogorec didn’t and got off his horse to pet it by the gate to wait for Ovfren; then when he rode by, he looked at him and nodded, which meant for him to break the line.

Obeying, Ovfren did and rode next to him, and after everyone had passed, Ogorec, wishing the night was over sighed, then got back on his horse and looked at Ovfren.

“This night in the men’s hall there is a ritual among the guilds,” he said warily, and warned him, “Enjoy it, but not such that you drink much and do something foolish.”

“
What such ritual?” Ovfren asked curious, never had he heard of it.

“
One great has died when not in war,” Ogorec revealed, as he looked at the top of his horse’s head, “You were to young during the first one and not a guild for the second. You are now old enough and a guild to be among them to try to lot for it.”

“
And you,” he questioned, “Will you be among them?

“
Ovfren,” Ogorec said concerned he was preventing him from enjoying himself, “It is not my will to keep you from others. My days of merriment I have had, and I will not keep you from yours and have you hate me for it when you are older.”

Ovfren listened noddin
g his head attentively; then when Ogorec stopped talking, only asked one question.

“
Will you be among them?

“
No,” Ogorec answered, as he thought of it, “I loathe it.”

When the gatekeeper began to urge Ogorec to pass through the gate so he could lower it,
Ogorec motioned to Ovfren.

“
Go,” he urged.

While the gate slowly lowered, Ovfren spurred his horse forward towards it, but debating whether he really wanted to go, he didn
’t spur it hard.

Knowing he was hesitant, again Ogorec motioned with his head when O
vfren gave him one more glance urging him to pass through it, but this time when he did, Ovfren suddenly turned.

When he saw him turn, Ogorec pursed his lips not surprised, yet pleased, then signaled the gatekeeper to lower it.

“The gate has closed.” Ovfren smiled, “What shall we do?”

“
Something comes to mind,” he answered with a roguish smile, spurring his horse to ride away from WorrlgenHall, “Before we sleep under the stars.”

Quickly, both rode to the river and made camp alongside it for the night; then
as they lay on wool blankets looking at the stars, Ovfren turned to Ogorec and rested his head on his hand.

“
Tell me,” he asked curious, “What ritual do the men practice?”

Ogorec put his hands behind his head.

“A great warrior has died, “he said, “And it is held as truth that to replace one great a draw is done with many guilds and those who win lay with the same bellar as the others watch. No one will know who the father is, but all trust from it one of them has seeded a new great warrior to replace the one gone to defend the kingdom.”

“
This ritual is one I do not like,” he commented offended, “Never would such deeds be done in my land.”

When he spoke of his land, Ogorec became curious.

“Speak of it,” he eagerly said; now turning and resting his hand on his head as well, “I long to hear how you came to me.”

“
A plague.” Ovfren remembered, “As we journeyed south many died from it along the way until only children remained living; then when those numbers were nearly none men on horses found us huddled nearly starving and dirty.

They feed us
and split the boys from the girls. Some they sold. Some they put on farms in the villages they passed, but with me they brought me here where when of age I joined the line of men to serve the king.”

“
And of me, how did you come to me? His curiosity peeked, as he looked at him.

“
As the gruels lined to watch our lords’ ride pass us, you, always right behind Lord Baric looked bold and fierce,” Ovfren answered. Every detail still vivid in his memory, “The way you rode your horse made me swoon.”

Ogorec laughed.
“Only women swoon over men riding by.”

“
Laugh if you will and speak what you want.” Ovfren said, ignoring his laugh, “No other made my heart race, but you who rode by. No one filled my head at once, but you and no other have I loved, but you.”

“
And all of this you held within?” Ogorec questioned, “I confess, I do not remember your face or of words from you until the night you spoke of Tohlor.”

“
I care not to count the times I longed for you to see me,” more confession, “Yet you did not, and is why I set myself to rise from gruel to a guild to be closer.”

“
Blind I was,” Ogorec said adoringly, and touched his smooth face, “To look pass one so striking.”

“
And again I swoon,” Ovfren spoke teasingly smitten, as he looked back at him, “Over one who when called upon can be fierce and with me so tender.”

The laughing over, Ogorec faced turned serious.

“Fate brought you to me,” he said, “But I curse it for not bringing you to me sooner. Older I am.”

“
You are not so much older. It is only because of battles that you believe you are,” Ovfren said; then spoke playfully to lighten their moment, “But one day I do fear I will have to carry you around in your old age.”

Ogorec sprang to his feet; then grabbed Ovfren playfully.

“Carry me will you,” he said, and picked him up.

Resisting every step of the way, Ovfren bucked and kicked to keep Ogorec from carrying him to the river, but Ogorec determined to show him he wasn
’t an old man, stayed steady.

“
Younger and faster you are,” he said, as he flung him into the river, “But never will you be stronger.”

As his body splashed, Ovfren quickly sank fully clothed; then angrily, he swam close to the river
’s edge murmuring cursed words all the while.

“
Curses!” he shouted at Ogorec, “The water was to cold for such!”

Ogorec laughed loudly, but Ovfren thought it far from funny.

“Sleep under the stars alone!” he shouted more, and walked away, “Dare I freeze to death!”

Angrily, Ovfren walked to his horse to leave, but Ogorec rushed behind him and grabbed
him; but when he tried to break his hold, couldn’t.

“
My body shall heat you throughout this night,” Ogorec said, when he finally loosened the tight vice he had around Ovfren’s arms, and kissed the back of his neck.

“
Umm,” Ovfren said, as he warmed right away, forgetting his anger as he turned, “Make it such that I am heated to burning.”

Across the river, Belon who also had not passed the gates and followed them, sat on his horse and hid behind a tree jealously watching, but when they began to kiss, the s
ight of it to much to bear, quickly rode off troubled.

Unable to think of anything else, but in no mood to go to the men
’s hall, he went to Moura, a servant he had pleasured himself with many times long ago before Ogorec. That night to soothe his heartache, he had his way with her until late into the night; then while she soundly slept, he quietly rose and left.

**