For Lord and Land

For Lord and Land
By: Delilah deSora
Part 2
Chapter 7


**

I never understood Saraes’s madness . . .

Until now.

-Milya Llyr
Year 22


**

Ardel pulled the scarves from his face gratefully. Long stalks of grass still bent to the strong wind but they had passed the borders of their desert empire and no longer had to fear the airborne sand. His eye was drawn to a number of long legged birds that moved slowly through the grass, their large round eyes watching the troupe warily. He was amazed by them. They stood taller than their mounts. Their legs were thick as tree trucks and their wings were enormous. Ardel had a sudden image of his scholars trying to write with one of those long quills and had to check the laughter that threatened to burst free at such a ridiculous thought.

He turned to glance at the man riding beside him, hoping to share his amazement but found his Leviathan staring at the horizon before them, his eyes unfocused as he swayed absently wits mos mount’s gait. Ardel opened his mouth but shut it quickly, aware of their audience. He suddenly felt a little foolish at his childlike fascination. His Leviathan had probably seen it all before.

Errol rode beside Dante, as he had done ever since he discovered the former knight’s presence among them, his eyes scanning the horizon with a warrior’s instinct. Breven rode before them with the rest of the troupe trudging on wearily behind them. With a sigh Ardel turned his attention back to the flock of strange birds.

A few hours later they came over a small ridge and the city of Fah’vale stretched out beneath them.

Ardel peered down at it curiously. It was a collection of rounded stone build, sm, smoothed by hundreds of years of constant wind. The sun reflected off the white and tan rock making the city look like a pile of old lace among the light green of the extensive grasslands. Herds of horses used for transportation mingled with other four hoofed beasts used for food in carefully fenced off areas outside of the city.

Ardel called the troupe to a halt before they reached the small roadway that cut down a low slope through the ridge, leading from the plateau to the city below. He dismounted when his tent was erected and sat in the center as his servants peeled off his traveling clothes. Large jugs of precious water were uncorked and wet clothes were rubbed vigorously against his skin and face. The sand was stripped from his hair and cloth was wrapped about the wet strands as he was layered in silk and linen.

Stepping out into the sunlight he stared up at the silhouettes of the two stately mountains that marked the border of Ardae. Twin volcanoes stood proudly on the western horizon, guarding the passageway into Ardae. He stared at them intently, letting the actions of his servants and the words of his guards around him fade around him until there was nothing but those two volcanoes watching over his country.

A graceful red-coated horse was brought to take the place of his normal mount and he was helped up onto its back, four pairs of hands tugged on his robes and he sat straight backed until they were finished. Turning bored green eyes towards the road he signaled the transformed troupe forward.

**

Ardel sat stiffly at the table, staring back at those that were waiting patiently while their dinner cooled. Protocol demanded that they wait until he ate first before they started eating but he wasn’t going to eat anything until he was sure one of the prisoners dragged in from the jail to test his food for poison wasn’t going to drop dead.

As he waited he wondered briefly what his Leviathan was having for dinner. He felt a faint smile threaten to creep across his lips. Dante was probably fast asleep. He’d practically dragged himself up the inn’s steps, too tired to even respond to Ardel’s teasing words about his stamina.

Finally Errol gave him a quick nod telling him the time limit had passed and he delicately picked he she strange utensils the Ventae used to eat their food. He found it ridiculous of them to have two utensils for eating when a pair of eating sticks would suffice just as well but he kept the opinion to himself. He was here to make sure they staid loyal to his Empire, not make rude comments about their ways. At least Errol had forced them to remove the sharp knives used for cutting. Ardel wasn’t paranoid but having lost both his father and grandsire to assassinations had taught him to be aware of his own mortality.

The man beside him was making movements to indicate that he would like to speak to him but, being bound to custom, couldn’t give voice to his words until Ardel spoke to him first. He took a perverse pleasure in letting the overweight man fidget for his attention for a few minutes before turning and commenting on something completely superfluous. The man fawned over him until Ardel just tuned him out and turned his attention to the rest of the gathering.

How many of them that smiled at him so prettily now had spoken words against him less than a day before? How many of these bejeweled fingers wanted nothing more than to shove a knife into his back?

The night progressed rather smoothly when one considered his unannounced arrival. They even managed to get musicians rounded up for an impromptu ball after dinner. Ardel refused to dance and he didn’t miss the look of relief that crossed Breven’s face at his decision. He shared his captain’s worry. Who knew what these extravagant outfits with their long feathers hid?

Alcohol arrived and tongues were loosened. Ardel sent his guards out among the partygoers with orders to remember those who let the drink build up their courage to speak out against the Empire. It soon became tiring, though, and he finally found a chance to escape when one of the city officials suggested that a marriage between his daughter and the Emperor himself would do much to bring Fah’vale fully under Ardae’s control, never mind that Emperor’s never wed. In the man’s opinion it would be a fine a new tradition.

Ardel had pretended offense, though the thought of being tied forever to the girl who looked both vacuous and cruel did make his stomach turn, and stormed from the party, grateful when the gentle evening breeze caught his cheeks and blew away his cares of the night.

**

Dante flung his shirt across the room, unable to take the offending cloth against his skin any longer. He ran his hands over his skin, rubbing against the too dry flesh vigorously. The sound of skin on skin made him wince and he forced his hands away from his forearms. With a growl of annoyance he flopped down on the cool bed.

He felt like a thousand ants were crawling across his skin and his tongue cleaved to the roof of his mouth. Gods he felt like he was going mad! Ever since they had left the oasis almost a week before he felt parched, no matter how much liquid he drank. It made him irritable and he was glad that Ardel was gone. He had no wish to take his petulance out on a man who had done nothing to cause it.

Shifting he felt sand between his shoulder blades. With a snarl of rage he pushed himself to his feet, hooked fingers clawing at his skin as he tried to get the stuff off of him. He hadn’t even realized he had drawn blood until a sharp intake of breath caught his attention. He stared at the blood smeared on his hands stupidly until his face was forced upwards and then he gazed blankly at the man talking to him.

Ardel shook his Leviathan’s broad shoulders again, repeating his name and still receiving no indication that the man understood him. His green eyes took in the angry red scratches oozing blood onto Dante’s arms and he felt his panic rising.

“Dante? Damnit Dante snap out of it!” He demanded, giving the man a futile shake, his hand slipping off the layer of black hair trapped under his hands and onto clammy bare skin.

Blue eyes turned dark and his Leviathan tore away from him with a pain filled cry. Ardel matched his cry as the cooling power that Dante had poured into him to calm the dragon’s blood flared, beating against his skin like hundreds of moth wings as though it were trying to escape. He wrapped his arms around himself and huddled within his robes, forcing the flare of fire within him to calm.

“Dante.” He whispered, looking up to see the larger man crouched at the foot of the wicker bed, rocking back and forth. His fingers were methodically clawing at the flesh of his arms again, widening the long bleeding tracks.

Ardel stood, his fingers furiously working the ties of his court robe. It was made of thick stiff fabric and he slid it off, shivering slightly as his bare arms were exposed to the air. Kneeling next to the softly keening man he forced his Leviathan’s arms through the sleeves and wrapped it tightly about him. Dante growled and tried to fight it but he refused to relent.

Finally the black haired man stilled, his fingers once again tearing at his cloth-covered arms. Ardel stroked his hair, whispering softly as Dante trembled beneath his touch. His fingers brushed his Leviathan’s forehead and, as before, the man screamed as though he’d been burnt. Ardel withdrew his hand quickly in surprise.

“Dante, what’s wrong?” He pleaded. “Please tell me!”

His lover didn’t respond. He only huddled against the bed, arms wrapped tightly about himself.

At a loss as to what to do Ardel fled. It took him precious minutes to find Errol and he was extremely grateful for the knight’s ability to recognize a potentially dire situation for he immediately cut off the conversation he was immersed in and followed Ardel swiftly through the halls without stalling by asking questions. His sharp eyes located the huddled form instantly and he knelt at Dante’s side, trying to speak with him.

Ardel knelt at Dante’s other side and laid a hand on the shoulder his Leviathan had managed to get free of the heavy robe. For a third time the Aquilaen screamed and jerked away from him, putting himself fully in the older knight’s embrace. Ardel frowned as an unnatural wave of jealously passed through him and, before he could damp it down, he felt it find an outlet somewhere.

A brilliant flash suddenly lit the room, followed immediately by a deafening crash of thunder that made them all jump. Dante arched with a primal scream and the sky above them opened up and came hurtling down.

Ardel and Errol turned to stare at the deluge of rain that came flooding down from the previously clear night sky. He turned wide green eyes on the knight who suddenly cursed and began bundling the trembling Leviathan up.

“What’s going on?” Ardel demanded as he helped Errol lift Dante from the floor, careful to keep his hands from touching any of his lover’s bare skin.

“He’s losing control of his powers,” Errol had to shout over the sound of the rain, “It’s only been recorded twice and both times they called it the ‘Leviathan’s madness’. We must get him to somewhere with a lot of water.”

Ardel nodded and released his hold on Dante. Leaving Errol to bear the extra weight he hurried to the entry room of the inn, demanding to know where the closest place would be where he could find water. The innkeeper informed him there was a bath house nearby but stated that it was bound to be closed due to the sudden gale that had surged up around them. Ardel got directions and sent out two of his guards to make sure the place was empty. The other guards he got to clear out the entry room and bring a carriage.

They hurried to the bathhouse despite the protests of the carriage driver that it was suicide to go anywhere in the rain and had gotten dumped to the ground by an impatient Errol who took the reins himself. Ardel winced at the way his Leviathan huddled as far from him as he could get. Was this how he looked? He wondered as he watched the man claw at the wood. Did he look so pathetic and pained when the madness was upon him? If he did there was no longer any wonder in him as to how Kaze had thought him too weak to fear.

They reached the large building and Ardel left firm orders for his guard to keep everyone out, including themselves, as Errol practically carried the shaking man through the door. Ardel winced as the knight dumped Dante unceremoniously in the first pool. They stood together as his Leviathan sank to the bottom, the carefully crafted robe flaring about him in the water.

“Will he be alright?” Ardel demanded, worrying a thumbnail.

The knight beside him nodded. “I think so. From what was written the Leviathan always recovered after he was returned to a source of water. Do you hear? The rain has already lessened.”

Ardel cocked his head and realized that Errol had told true. “I didn’t know they could call a storm.”

“It is very draining and nearly impossible to do in A sin since there isn’t enough moisture in the air to call the clouds and rain. As for the lightening, I believe that was you, my lord.”

The red haired man blushed slightly at the reminder of his loss of control. “What’s wrong with him?” He asked softly, watching with nervous eyes as Dante lay lifeless at the bottom of the bath.

“It’s hard to say since it doesn’t occur often but I think it’s very much like your own madness, my lord, except that where your madness occurs because of having too much power within you theirs occurs because they have too little. Many Leviathans have had reported feeling . . . weak after their Emperor had returned from a long journey and used them repeatedly. As I have said, this has only been reported twice and both times the Leviathan was kept from a source of water for long periods of time while still serving their Emperors.

“The first was Milya who went mad shortly after returning to his Emperor. They had the pool in the Leviathan’s room built and Milya never had the problem again. The second occurred when a Leviathan was traveling with his Emperor to Silvae. He nearly tore himself apart; complaining that it felt like his skin was too tight and crawling with bugs. After that it was determined todetrdetrimental to the Leviathan’s health, and safety, to allow them to travel.”

Ardel sighed, wrapping his arms around himself loosely. “I couldn’t leave him there,” he murmured, “he was wasting away in that room.”

The knight beside him was silent for a long moment before sighing and bowing his head. “I know, my lord. I know.”

**

Dante woke to the delicious sensation of floating in his element. He smiled as the water brushed through his hair and against his boIt wIt was so relaxing and he was content to just be for a while. Something brushed against his arms and his eyes flew open as burning pain flared up his arm, destroying the serenity.

Jerking himself upright he shot to the surface of the water, frantically peeling the heavy cloth away from his arms and staring at the long marks on his arm in confusion. A similar set of marks on his other arm made itself known and he hissed in pain.

“Dante!”

He looked up in surprise at the relieved voice, tearing his attention from the confusing marks. Ardel knelt on the tiled surface just beyond the lapping water, his green eyes wide and his normally perfect hair mussed and apparently drying from a soaking. His eyes moved down to the tiles and with a start he realized that he was in a place other than his pool for his pool had no tiles.

He peered up at the vaulted ceiling before turning his attention to the side where he could see a series of pools. He frowned.

“Where are we?” He demanded, wading over to where the Emperor knelt and wincing as the water moved over the scratches on his arms. “What’s going on?”

Dante moved to pull himself out of the water but a hand stopped him and pushed him firmly back down until the water brushed against his neck. He stared up into Errol’s brown eyes in confusion.

“You had an attack,” The knight replied, crouching now so they were on a more even level, “just relax until you feel ready to get out.”

Dante cocked his head and reached down within himself, surprised to find that the man was right. He felt strangely empty, though he could feel the water moving about him, lending him strength. He shrugged off the cloth that was keeping his element from fully reaching him and blinked in surprise at the heavy red fabric fisted in his hand. He looked up to find Ardel watching him, his bare arms a bright pale presence against the dark tiling of the bathhouse. With a grimace he held the ruined robe out, knowing that a small fortune had been lost to the water.

Ardel shifted so that he sat at the water’s edge and gingerly took the robe from him, dropping it in a soggy pile next to him and promptly forgetting that it ever existed when he turned back to glare at the man holding onto the side of the bath. Dante received a quick sharp slap that made him jerk back in surprise and bring a hand up to his abused cheek as his lover leaned over the water, glaring at him.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Ardel snapped, “Why didn’t you say something instead of scaring me like that!”

Dante blinked and worked his jaw, amazed at the strength behind the blow. “Say something about what?”

Ardel stared at him like he’d just said the ocean was full of diamonds. Dante turned his attention to the sandy haired knight watching him with measured brown eyes. “Say something about what?” He asked again.

Errol sighed and began retelling what he knew.

For two days Dante languished in the bathhouse while Ardel spread his royal presence around, making sure that everyone got a healthy helping of suspicious Emperor and slowly the murmurs that Fah’vale should return to its motherland were silenced. On the final day the city magistrate even provided him with a pair of loud-mouthed protestors who found themselves on the wrong end of a pair of swords, as an example to any other would be dissenters.

Dante had been horrified of it when he’d heard what had happened and he was secretly glad to find it bothered Ardel on a deep level as well, though the red haired Emperor never expressed any sadness at the two men’s demise. The way he had clung to him that night with the dragon’s blood rolling angrily inside of him had been enough to tell Dante what he had needed to know.

The third day they packed up and went home, leaving quite a few guards in Fah’vale to make sure the city understood its situation. It was a hard journey for both of them, though Dante suspected it hurt Ardel more than he for Ardel refused his touch the entire time, claiming that he still had some measure of control while he feared Dante would have none if he took any of his power.

When they finally stumbled through the door to their room Dante found himself with an armful of frantic Emperor who kissed him like he was dying for contact, which, Dante supposed as he helped Ardel get free of their clotheasn’asn’t far from the truth. Long fingers wrapped around his desire and he cried out hoarsely as his lover ruthlessly worked him to full arousal.

He growled and nipped at the long pale neck, fingers pinching callously at the pale nipples, dragging sharp cries from the proud Emperor. He captured the red lips with his own, thrusting his tongue sharply into the hot mouth. Ardel’s skin was feverish as he shoved the man back onto the bed and pinned him down, grinding their hips together.

His smaller lover thrashed underneath him and Dante felt something within him rear its head. He stared down at the writhing dragon beneath him and pulled his lips back in a soundless growl. Gripping the thin wrists so tightly he knew he was bruising them he forced the creature to arch his serpentine body, red hair fanned against red covers as Ardel moaned at the bit of dominance.

Dante grinned darkly. Water was a thing of eternal change. It could flow as softly as a small creek in summer or it could rage with the force of a tsunami. It could give and it could receive. Watching the fire dragon writhe and stare up at him with pleading green eyes he felt moved to crash over the frail form and drive it until it could do nothing but scream.

Stepping back he roughly transferred Ardel’s wrists to one hand and flung him over onto his stomach. His lover gasped in surprise and he captured a narrow hip to drag this lover to the edge of the bed. Pressing down firmly on the trapped wrists to keep the man where he wanted him, he kicked Ardel’s legs apart and situated himself between them He received a motivating cry as he thrust against the soft ass, grinding the dragon’s desire cruelly against the side of the bed.

Ardel twisted as though to get away from him and he landed a sharp slap to the vulnerable skin against him. The man froze and Dante smirked as he firmly rubbed the area he’d just struck, making Ardel moan and press his cheek against the soft coverlet he lay across. Dante felt him relax and delivered another sharp blow.

“Ah!” His lover gasp, the pale face grimacing.

Dante snorted and struck the man again as he leaned over the delicately arched back. “I know you like it,” he hissed, “Silly little dragon playing at being the strongest thing in the land. But we know what you really want, don’t we?”

Fingers teased his balls and Ardel keened softly as they moved back to lightly brush over the sensitive skin behind them. He thrashed and cried out as the light touch tickled the area, sending sharp flashes of desire through him.

“S . . . stop!” He pleaded, trying to get away but unable to for the heavy weight dragged across his back.

A firm smack caught his ass and startling a sharp cry from him.

“I didn’t say you c tal talk.” His Leviathan snarled, biting into his shoulder and thrusting against him.

Ardel snapped his mouth closed obediently.

A flurry of smacks was delivered to his pale skin and he rode each one, shaking uncontrollably as they fed his desire. Occasionally they would pause and his lover would gently stroke the sensitive skin behind his balls until tears fell from his eyes and he was panting for breath.

“Dante!” He shrieked, disobeying the order as he felt himself reaching his climax, “I’m going to . . . oh gods I . . .”

His lover froze and Ardel sobbed in frustration. The hand holding his wrists together disappeared but before he could question the sudden disappearance he feometomething wrapped tightly about the base of his cock. He screamed as it was tightened, taking the edge of his desire away but leaving a throbbing mass in its wake. Strong arms caught his leg and shoved him onto his side. His leg was pressed up against his chest and he peered through red lashes at the dark form above him.

Dante’s eyes were dark and vast with need. The tanned body towered over him and Ardel flung his head back, submitting completely to this powerful storm god that raged above him. Fingers were pressed to his lips and he sucked on them greedily, taking them down his throat and swallowing so that when they were removed they were dripping with wetness.

His lover thrust two fingers into him at once, tugging on the tie to his robe that was wrapped about his cock at the same time. The combination of sensations made him fling his head back against the bed and he cried out hoarsely. A third finger was added and his body was forced open, the delicious pain coursing through his body and turning him into a creature of need rather than a man.

The fingers disappeared and a much larger object was thrust into him forcefully. His mouth opened as he arched and cried out soundlessly as he was taken. Lips captured his and he fed from his Leviathan as Dante crashed into him again and again until all he could do was cling to the broad shoulders and scream his pleasure to the sky.


Dante groaned and peeled open eyes gummed shut with sleep. He rubbed them vigorously, feeling every action of the last three weeks in his muscles as they ached in protest. Flinging off the heavy red blankets Dante’s feet touched the cold marble floor. He made a mental note to thank Ardel for remembering to extinguish the fire when he’d left and padded into his own room.

Sunlight streamed in from the skylight, catching the blues and greens of the sinuous leviathan that dipped and twined along one wall. Dante reached out and gently ran his fingers over the individual scales, awed as he always was by the creation. Ardel had a matching piece, a large dragon with wide wings in his room. Whatever hand had created them had truly belonged to a master. He was grateful that both pieces had survived the harsh fate of time so that he could take pleasure in them.

A yawn caught him by surprise and he gave into it heartily. He eased into his pool, swimming to the deepest point and diving down to lay among the rocks. Sunlight filtered through the water, creating a foreign land of glittering light and playful currents. He smiled and reached out, reminded of days spent playing through the reefs that ran parallel to the coast. He wondered if he could get Ardel to bring him some fish. It would amuse him to have their simple company. He jerked as there was a sudden mass disturbance in the pool and he shot to the surface in surprise. A metal pot was quickly sinking to the bottom of his pool and sharp waves lapped at his chest from its passing. Frowning he turned to stare up at the large dark form standing at the edge of his pool.

“What do you want?” He demanded.

His former commander watched him with emotionless eyes. “There is something we must discuss.”

Dante sighed and swam to the edge of the pool, hoisting himself out with strong arms. “Look, I know I wasn’t supposed to . . .”

Pain flared through his arm as he was grabbed and the older man shoved a needle deep into the trapped arm. He snarled but before he could protest his vision swam as the drug did its work, stealing away his consciousness.