Along the Great Divide

Chapter 16--An Ordinary Life; Ludwig's Training

Mamoru slept for three solid days. Ludwig was worried that he was ill but when he finally woke up, he was relieved. The mage was just probably just exhausted, also just recovering from the stress of travel as well. Mamoru lay in bed, Ludwig kissing and massaging his feet.

"Mmm…you don't have to do that…but it feels good."Mamoru yawned, having not gotten up yet.

Ludwig chuckled, kissing his big toe and massaging the middle of his foot. "I don't mind…these beautiful feet got us both home."He said softly, kissing along the side of Mamoru's foot. The mage laughed, watching as Ludwig kissed further up his leg to his bare thigh, kissing up higher until he pecked his cheek, on all fours above him. "I love you, Mamoru…"

"I love you too Ludwig…"Mamoru smiled, tilting his head and pulling Ludwig down for a kiss on the lips.

There was a knock on the door, a mage walking in with a tray of food. "Compliments of Lord Frei. He asks for you to join him this afternoon to talk."The mage said softly.

"Thank you."Ludwig said, watching as the mage set the food down on the nightstand and leave with a modest bow. Mamoru lulled his head around, looking at the hot tray of food. Sighing, he sat up stiffly, pulling the tray onto his lap.

Ludwig rolled off to the side, lying on his back with his arms behind his head. "I don't like that Frei-person."He said bluntly. "It's like his eyes can see right through you."

"They probably can. Frei is the master of mental magics. Even when he didn't look like he was looking at us, he was peeking around inside our heads. I couldn't feel it until we stepped out of the room."Mamoru said, lifting the metal tray up. The smell of good meat and fresh vegetables made his stomach growl.

Ludwig watched Mamoru eat, watching those luscious rosy lips close onto the fork and eat the bits of meat he cut up. The halfling swallowed, rolling onto his side. It aroused him, almost, to see Mamoru so content like this but yet there was also the fact that he was hungry. The blood that they milked from some of the animals they farmed satisfied him only a little until Mamoru could wake up.

Now he was starving to get a piece of him.

Ludwig shut his eyes, trying to rest a little despite his anxiousness. When he heard the clang of the empty plates, his ear twitched.

"Wiiiggyy…"Mamoru cooed, leaning over and blowing into his ear. Ludwig's ear twitched, his body flinching as well.

"That's annoying."Ludwig mumbled, chuckling. Rolling over, he pulled Mamoru on top of him, grabbing his cheeks underneath the clean under robe that he wore. The mage squealed from Ludwig's cold hands, giving him a playful smack.

"Ooo, your hands freezing this time. Hungry?"Mamoru asked, leaning down to rub noses with him.

"Absolutely starving…"Ludwig purred, feeling his hands down along Mamoru's thighs then up along his bottom again, running it to his back. Mamoru arched, quivering a little as he moved up a little further so his chest was to Ludwig's face. The vampire parted Mamoru's robes, running his tongue along their shared mark on the Albinjian mage's chest.

Mamo moaned softly, bringing his hand down to run through Ludwig's hair. He keened briefly when the vampire bit him there, his hand clenching. He felt the rush of blood to his loins, pushing his hips against Ludwig's, feeling his hard member beneath him.

Ludwig moaned, swallowing down a good three gulps before he was satisfied. Rolling Mamoru underneath him, he lapped at the wound and ran his tongue down further down to the throbbing member below. He ran his tongue along the head of the member, Mamoru mewling above him.

Panting, a pale hand ran his fingers through Ludwig's dark hair and pushed him down, the vampire lowering down to envelope it into his mouth. "Ah Ahn, Wiggy, your mouth is so warm!"He moaned, Ludwig bobbing his head. His fangs would brush the skin just briefly, sending Mamoru's blood rushing everywhere about him.

Ludwig raised his head, peeking up at Mamoru with a mischievous smile, licking his lips. "Your blood is rushing everywhere…I can smell it."He purred, running his tongue along the head of it. Reaching one of his hands up to his mouth, Ludwig wetted two of his fingers, sliding one in slowly into Mamoru's back end.

Mamoru 'nn'ed lovingly, pushing his hips down on his finger, gasping when a second was added. Ludwig stroked his member, squeezing and running his tongue along the head.

The mage above him was in ecstasy, his member just in front of him dribbling and the muscles around his fingers clenching. This is what made him happy: knowing that he could still give Mamoru the pleasures of the world that he deserved, even if he himself couldn't feel it.

Adjusting himself, he pressed the head to the opening and entered the warm body with a moan. Mamoru held onto him as he started to thrust into him, kissing and running his tongue through Ludwig's coppery-tasting mouth. "Mmm, Wiggy harder!"The mage moaned beneath him.

"Yessir."Ludwig breathed, starting to thrust his hips a little harder, holding back as much as he could without hurting him. Mamoru's nails dug into his back, making him arch and moan again.

"You know that turns me on even more…"Ludwig breathed, giving a thrust that made Mamoru bounce, the mage laughing and continuing to run his nails along the dark back. The mage reached down and scratched his nails along Ludwig's taut cheeks.

"Mmm…Muffins."Mamoru moaned, giving them a squeeze. Ludwig stared, catching on and grabbing onto Mamoru's hips, pounding away. Food references! His one 'mortal' weakness! Mamo keened wrapping his legs around him and screaming as he came hard between them, Ludwig still going until he had his own release.

The two lay on the bed panting, Mamoru laying partially on Ludwig with the vampire holding onto the mage lovingly.

"Now -pant- I feel -pant- reeaaallly full."Mamoru breathed, moving his hair from his face to look up to Ludwig with a satisfied glow about him.

"You got your muffin fix?"Ludwig chuckled, his chest rumbling underneath Mamoru's chin. The mage smiled, sitting up.

"No more cupcakes for you, muffin."Mamoru teased.

Ludwig's ears stuck up, his cheeks puffing like Mamoru would with the whole 'cupcake' name-calling. "It sounds like a terrible name for a cat or a dog."

"Well..you technically are part 'wolf'…"Mamoru contemplated, lying on his stomach with his feet raised behind him. From that position, Ludwig could see the curves and bumps along the mage's fine back. His favorite was the curve right before the hump of his supple cheeks. Leaning up, he placed the kiss there, Mamoru shivering.

"You are beautiful…And don't let anyone tell you you're not."Ludwig commented, resting his chin on the spot with a chuckle. Mamoru looked over his shoulder, smiling and reaching behind him to give the dark hair a fluff.

"You are silly."Mamoru laughed, moving to sit up so he could go clean himself up. Ludwig whimpered with the loss of not the heat of the mage but having the form so close to him. The mage's robes covered up the bottom he loved to touch and grope as the wide awake mage went to go clean up the goo that he had left there.

Ludwig sat up, stretching a little and going to see about preparing Mamoru's clothes for him. The mages at the temple had taken them so they could be repaired but some beautiful patterned ones now hung on a rack meant for them. He fingered the cloth in his hand, admiring the black, blue and white triangular pattern. It would definitely bring out Mamoru's eyes.

When he heard the bath start up, Ludwig sighed. It would be a while so he would go at least explore some of the temple. When he opened the door, he blinked when he saw Frei there. "I knew I felt you two awake…I have decided to come early to discuss a few…choices that you may have."He said, stepping in. The man was tall, taller than Ludwig practically though it was part of his race. Frei glided in, moving to sit down on the bed.

"Choices?"Ludwig asked, pulling up a chair.

"Indeed. There are jobs around town or positions that would need to be filled in order to make Nosferata an official nation. If we can do that, then it'll give us some protection from the outside world. Right now, this area is the former Albinjina...or at least the Northern most tip of it…where your little friend originated no doubt."Frei said, removing the long slender pipe from his sleeve, sticking it in his mouth. A quick flick and the tobacco inside was ignited.

The vampire's dark eyebrows rose a little. This was Mamoru's homeland? It made him a little warm that he at least got to see where the rarity that was Mamoru and Yuri had lived at some point. "What sort of jobs?"He asked, sitting back, crossing his legs and arms.

"Well…We have bleeders, milkers, carpenters, business men, farmers, ore miners and a long list of things."Frei said, pulling out a scroll from his sleeve. Just how much could those robes store? Frei unrolled it, showing Ludwig. The vampire ran through it, tilting his head.

"What's a 'restaurant' owner?"Ludwig asked, the words catching his interest.

"It is a new form of pub or inn except they only cook food, serve it and make money from it. It comes from the old language, 'ruesta' meaning to cook for many and 'rhant' for 'indoors'."Frei explained, inhaling and blowing a fine whisp of smoke from his nose. Ludwig batted it away. As much as it didn't stink, it was still incense-like…which his sensitive nose didn't agree with.

"I used to cook for a mansion master before Mamoru found me…and I love cooking. It that taken?"Ludwig asked, his ears peeking.

"There is a small one owned by a human but it doesn't provide much of a challenge or variety to the tastebuds. Has a very sweet taste to everything. Perhaps you can give this town something better?"Frei said, rolling up the scroll again.

"That won't be a problem…but what do I have to do to have a restaurant?"Ludwig inquired.

"The restaurant would be run from the first floor of your home of course. The top of it would be your living quarters. It's the style nowadays. I'll put in the order for your home, so for now it would be a good idea to come up with menu options."Frei said as he rose up. "As well as begin your training."

"Huh?"The vampire squeaked, jumping out of his skin when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Grato stood behind him with a dark smile.

"Grato here will be your trainer for the time while you are waiting for your home to be built."Frei said with a smile. "Do try to work hard?"

"I'm not too impressed with how you handled your first flying experience but I'm going to whip you into a better vampire and fighter then you are now."Grato said, giving Ludwig's shoulders a massage. The vampire underneath them laughed nervously, his lips quivering some.

Training? The last bit of training he had was nearly a century ago and it was with Hezekiah's old sword-fighting instructor. He barely made that out alive! Now Grato was going to probably take is unlife and permanently stick him six feet under in a jar.

When Mamoru came out of the bathroom, he was surprised to see Grato and Frei with Ludwig…who looked like he had just seen the reaper coming for his immortal soul.

"What's….going on?"Mamoru asked, wrapping the towel tighter about his hips as he went to go grab the robes on the rack.

"We were just discussing 'wiggy's' career options and training."Frei said with a deep chuckle. It sent shivers down Mamoru's spine.

"Career and training? What's he going to do?"Mamoru asked as he slipped the pants on first, disposing of the towel and dressing. "I hope it's not anything dangerous."

"Maybe if he was going to get mauled by a hungry customer but that's about it. He's going to become a restaurant owner, the second the town is going to have…and before that, he's going to learn how to become a 'proper' vampire."Grato joked, patting Ludwig's head. Ludwig let o out a small whimper, his eyebrows furrowing.

"I'm going to see the light at the end of the tunnel, aren't I?"Ludwig whimpered, looking to Mamoru with huge begging eyes.

"No, you won't. Grato will do a good job and I hope you will at least take the training to heart for the benefit of yourself along with Mamoru."Frei said, inhaling a little bit of smoke again and blowing it out.

Ludwig sat quietly while everyone stared. His ears flicked, rising and falling as he thought on it. He hesitantly nodded, Grato patting his shoulders. "Then let's get started! After you've fed through, It'll be a shame to have you quit on me the first minute."Grato grinning, giving Ludwig's shoulders a squeeze again before turning to leave. "Mamoru, good luck to you as well."

"Good Luck?"Mamoru blinked.

"Mmm, don't think you're going escape some training as well. I heard from a little bird that you didn't complete your training but Yuri still gave you your staff anyway. I have been given permission to train you…and I don't go easy."Frei smirked, blowing a little smoke towards the now fully dressed mage. Mamoru paled to a now almost porcelain white, a little sweat droplet trickling down his face. "Now you remember. We'll be starting today as well after Ludwig's had breakfast. Meet me in the main chamber today."

Frei left behind Grato, the last of his robes slinking behind the corner like the end of a serpent's tail. Ludwig and Mamoru stood in the room in absolute shock. It had just been the first couple of days and they were now being put into a bootcamp so the two of them could play catch-up.

They looked at each other, letting out some nervous laughter and then two identical heavy sighs.

"What are we going to do? I'm scared."Mamoru said with quivering lips.

"Don't remind me…We just need to get through it until the house and everything is built. Though, you can ask Frei a favor for us if he doesn't mind."Ludwig asked, his eyebrows raising toward the mage.

"Huh? What sort of favor?"Mamoru asked, striding over and moving so he was sitting, straddling Ludwig's lap while he was in the chair. Ludwig held onto him by his lower back, his head tilting a little.

"Well, we'll need furniture for the house…and what better stuff then what was at that mansion?"Ludwig said with a smirk.

"What?! You want to go all the way back there?"Mamoru squeaked. Ludwig shook his head.

"No no…You can make summoning circles can't you? If you loaded the furniture onto one circle and had it teleported here then we wouldn't have to travel for days on end."Ludwig suggested, bouncing the mage on his knees some. Mamoru stared at him, inclining his head a little. Well…it was a good idea…

"I like it. Yes, I'll definitely talk to Frei today about it for our home. Hopefully it'll still be intact for however long it'll take."Mamoru said, pecking a kiss to Ludwig's forehead.

"Great! I'll make a list eventually…for now…Feed me."Ludwig said, sticking his tongue out.

"At least you have a healthy appetite."Mamoru said with a roll of his gorgeous blue-violet eyes, reaching to the front of his robes and pulling one side off of his shoulder to expose his chest. Ludwig licked his lips, admiring the pale, clean skin. Upon seeing the mark, he leaned his head in, running his tongue along it before biting down without warming.

Mamoru keened, his hips bucking forward a little. Running his fingers through Ludwig's hair, the vampire fed from him, groaning and purring into his skin while his hips thrusted in little motions upwards. Mamoru felt himself becoming aroused, reaching down between them to rub himself. When Ludwig finally pulled away, he whimpered, panting.

"Nnn~"Mamoru purred, still rubbing.

"I've never seen you so excited."Ludwig teased, running his tongue along the wounds on the mage's chest.

"Ah!"Mamoru keened, his hands coming to the vampire's hair. "E-Everything tingles…"

"Good…I'll have to take care of that…"Ludwig chuckled deeply. Getting up, he switched their positions so Mamoru was now sitting on the hair, his robes awry and his face flustered. Ludwig knelt down between his legs, wriggling the waist of the mage's pants down so the hard member was peeking out. Leaning in, he enveloped it into his mouth, bobbing and rolling his tongue around the head lovingly. Cupping his sacks gently, Ludwig sucked and massaged them, sending Mamo reeling above him, moaning shamelessly.

A few quick bobs of his head, Ludwig could taste the little bit of precum drizzle out. Running his tongue along it the shaft of it, Mamoru panted, grabbing his hair and flexing his hand. "Ah Ha, Nnn, Wiggy, I'm going to cum!"He squealed, his head lulling back as Ludwig flicked his tongue around. The member swelled in his hand, Mamoru keening as he came onto Ludwig's face.

The vampire blinked, sticking his tongue out and licking up a bit of the liquids that had hit him on the side of his mouth. Mamoru panted, looking down at him with an exhausted face. "Whoo…"Mamoru breathed, letting his head fall back.

"Feel better love?"Ludwig asked as he used the inside of his sleeve to wipe his face.

"Mnn…tingly but I feel like I could take on three lords."Mamoru purred, reaching his hands to fix himself again while Ludwig went to make sure he got all of the goo off of his face. When he returned, he also returned with a ribbon, standing behind Mamoru and tying his hair back for him.

"Good. Good luck today…"Ludwig said, kissing his cheek, helping the mage get to his feet with a swift pull. They kissed one more time before they went their separate ways again. Ludwig felt guilty about it but they both needed some fine tuning. Meeting Grato in the large open field that was just outside of town, he stood there while the other vampire inspected him.

"You've got the posture of a servant."Grato said, using a wood pole to smack him in the lower back to make him straighten out. "A vampire is supposed to be elegant and poised, charming but violent. Smile for me." Grato said. Ludwig did as he was told, getting another smack.

"What did I do this time?!"Ludwig said, rubbing the spot.

"You can't hide your fangs can you? An important part of blending in with the outside world is being able to hide your fangs and draw them out at will. It makes you look human."Grato explained, standing in front of him. The two stood eye to eye. "I want you to think about cows."

"Cows?"Ludwig chortled.

"Yes, cows. All of their teeth are flat like a man's chest. I want you think about becoming a cow."Grato explained, smacking the thick stick into his hand. "If you become the cow, you can become the human."

Ludwig's eyebrow raised. This man made…absolutely no sense but it helped him a little as he felt along his teeth with his tongue. Sitting down on the grass, he thought about just being a big bumbling animal, chewing the cud from the grass. It was such a lazy feeling. He rested his head in his hand, staring out into the open, green grassy plain. Blinking, he felt along his teeth again and felt that they were slowly getting smaller.

"What the…?"Ludwig said, bringing his fingers to run along his teeth.

"See?"Grato said, leaning on the stick like a cane.

"How did…And the…Why cows?"Ludwig said, surprised as he felt along his mouth again. His teeth were flat like a human's and didn't hurt all to run his tongue along. He smiled again, Grato giving a nod of approval.

"Cows are vegetarians, humans eat leaves too sometimes. You're just going back to a basic instinct…though your the first of the people I've taught that hasn't actually bent down and ate some of the grass. Good on you. Lesson 2…DODGE!"Grato said, bringing the stick down on Ludwig's shoulder.

"Ow!"Ludwig howled, rubbing his shoulder. He barely missed the second hit. Grato chased him around with the stick, hitting him a few times but Ludwig got the hang of listening for when the vampire was about to smack him. There was an acute whooshing sound that came with the stick as it was brought down and if he was able to hear it, he knew when to run faster.

"You going to keep running like a pansy or are you going to take the hits like an undead man?!"Grato chastised, smacking him across the back of the head. "Your body is like pure stone, a mountain that cannot be moved. You will hit and be hit!"

"But you said dodge!"Ludwig called back, turning and facing him. Grato twirled the stick in his hand.

"Dodge to avoid being hit but dodge also get to the enemy to attack. I'll tell you what, you break the stick just at the end here, I'll move on to something a little easier."Grato said, the stick stopping. "Lesson 3: Precision!"

"Precision?"Ludwig squeaked. He just blinked for a minute and suddenly felt a sharp hit to his shoulder. Then to his forehead, then to the back of his other shoulder. For the first time in a while, his head spun, sending him forward.

"Precision. If you hit more accurately in direct hits, you give more damage."Grato explained. "Back to Lesson 2."

Ludwig let out a groan, raising his head only a minute and smacking his face into the ground again.