Desert Nights

Chapter two: Journey across the sand.
Enjoy! Please R&R!!
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For the most part it was an uneventful day. They stopped around noon for the midday meal and to rest from the blistering heat. Kamoku found that he wasn’t bothered by the heat as such as the humans were. Even when he had been let outside of the caravan he had actually found it pleasant.

The food was nice and light, fruit and honey. Thankfully water instead of wine was given out –something the made the elf happy beyond all reason. He really found the heady wines that Master Draven liked quite distasteful. Of course he would never say as much, but on the inside he was dancing.

Licking the sticky mess off his fingers Kamoku once more looked up at the roof of the caravan. He found it rather odd how he was being treated. In the back of his mind he had always assumed that after he had been bought he would be treated somewhat like a pretty dog or horse; something that looked nice but was still there for work. Instead he found himself treated almost kindly. There were no illusions in his mind that he was anything other that a high-class slave. He thought he was being treated like a pretty bauble that no one wanted to mess up, and on closer inspection found that comparison apt.

So he would be kept safe, clean and well cared for until he was given over to the King. What then? Would he be like some of the other noble bought slaves he had seen? To be all dressed up and treated like an expensive piece of jewelry that warmed their masters bed at night? Or would it be more like the pretty cart horse?

“Why do I keep doing this to myself?” he asked in the hushed silence.

“Doing what?” Jumping slightly he looked over and saw the page Cole looking into the window. “I…I was just thinking of my future Master Cole.” He said softly, getting to his knees and bowing his head respectfully. “Oh.” Cole tilted his head to the side and shrugged. “I was sent to tell you that you are to dance for us tonight, and the Duke wishes to know what your best at.”

Kamoku thought about this for a moment. Truthfully he did all of his dances with equal grace… but his favorite was the fire dance. “Fire dance if it please Master Draven.” He said, glancing up through his hair. Cole nodded. “Right then, I’ll tell him. Dancing clothes will be brought to you later tonight.” Nodding he watched as Cole left then peeked out of the window.

He couldn’t see much, but what there was to see was boring anyway so he sat back down. “Set the spark to the tinder, watch the flames rise. Dancing in the wind and raising to the skies. Fire dance to and fro, sing your song to me! Fire dance to and fro dancing we are free…” he sang the words softly, his body rocking slightly to the tempo. That song always made him happy and quite energetic, making him eager for more. Humming the rest of the song he went over the moves in his mind, thinking of how it would all look and sound, especially when he wore the Dancer’s Bells.

He fell into a light sleep as he thought of it, and had dreams of dancing with the flames. It wasn’t until a few hours later that he woke to find that they had already started out again, the steady and rhythmic foot falls of the horses like a white noise to fill the still air.

The rest of the day passed by without incident, the only thing to break the boredom was when a picture of sweetened water had been delivered, and the servant stayed to talk for a bit. From him he learned a few things, first that even though Cole acted rather cold towards him, he actually though that Kamoku was ‘charming’; or that the occasion that he was a gift for was actually the kings Coronation Anniversary. He also learned that the kings’ name was Malikai.

It had been an enlightening hour, one made all the better because the servant –one Jarett- didn’t see him as a slave but as a person. When he asked why he was shone a scar in the shape of a stylized sun, the same as the one on the back of Kamoku’s neck.

“I was once a slave too, so I know how it is. I belonged to the former king actually, so I know for a fact that you are lucky. You won’t be the only one there, and you’ll have most of the time to yourself or with the Harem.” here Jarett laughed softly. It is almost funny. As a slave in the palace you have more freedom than the king himself.”

“Really? Why is that?” Kamoku asked, sitting on the bed and listening with rapt attention.

“Well, as the king, he has to have guard around him at all times to make sure that he is safe… When I was there my master even had guards in the room as we coupled.” He shook his head and grinned. “He had to run matters of state, act as host to the leaders of other countries and to his own tribes. And that was while he was at the palace. A king has little time to himself.” Kamoku nodded his understanding and hugged his knees to his chest. “How come you’re free now?” he asked, tilting his head to the side.

“Well, I did something that my master though was worth of my freedom, and granted it to me. I left one year before Malikai took over and I started to work for my living. I suppose it’s a great coincidence that I met you and we are going back to the palace. Then again the gods work in mysterious ways. It depends on what you believe.” Jarett said, pouring himself and Kamo a glass of the sweet water.

Taking a sip the elf sighed and looked into the cup. “Will you stay here with me for a little while? It’s terribly boring here alone.”

“Of course. Would you like to play a game?” he asked, pulling out a set of die from his pocket. Kamoku grinned and leaned forward. “Sure…but how do you play?” he asked.

The next few hours were spent learning the games rules and playing it. Groaning as he got a bad roll he buried his face in his hands. “The dice don’t like me…” he complained with a slight grin. It was the seventh game and Jarett was winning.

“Nonsense, they are objects, so there fore they can’t have a favorite person.” Rolling his eyes at the man, Kamo giggled and stuck his tongue out at him. “Gosh, so serious.”

“Only when I have to be.” He replied, poking Kamoku in the ribs and making the elf shriek with laughter. As it grew later in the evening Jarett stood and smiled. “As much as I regret it, I must leave for now. But I would gladly return tomorrow.”

“Oh really? I would like that very much!” he exclaimed, bouncing slightly on the bed. Jarett nodded and smiled. “Tomorrow then.” At that he left, though it was far from graceful as they were moving.

Standing up in the cramped space he stretched as best he could and yawned. Grinning he flopped back down on the bed and looked out at the slowly darkening sky. It was a few hours more until darkness fell, but to those he lived in the desert, the signs were there.

It was an hour until full dark when they stopped and made camp. Kamoku was glad for the chance to get out of the gypsy cart and stretch, though he was immediately ushered by Cole to the nearby river to bathe.

When told to remove his clothes he did so without incident, it was only after a particularly obscene –and physically impossible- comment that he grew embarrassed. The fact that the sentiment was echoed by several other member’s of the guard just made matters worse and he gladly entered the water to hide himself from their eyes.

“Just ignore them.” Cole advised as he joined the elf in the water. He nodded and dipped under, wetting his hair down. The nights chill was creeping in so he wasted no time in cleaning himself.

Wrapping himself in the thick cotton towel that was provided he stayed close to Cole as they returned. A small fire had been build next to the cart and inside the clothes for his dancing were laid out.

There was a vest of heavy red silk with orange and yellow embroidery with a matching skirt that when put on billowed around his legs and came to his calves. He was mortified to find that all of the skirt was see-through gauze until he found the solid red under clothes that went with the outfit.

With a sigh he fingered the silver collar around his neck. It didn’t match but he supposed that it would have to stay for now.

Stepping back outside on onto the still warm sand he twirled for Cole. “Is it suitable?” he asked, holding his arm. The page nodded and motioned for Kamoku to draw closer. “Hold out your hands.” He said, showing Kamoku the strings of small bells that were to be tied around his wrists and ankles.

Grinning he did as he was told and when Cole finished, his every move was accompanied by a chorus of soft music.

As he was led to the duke’s fire he couldn’t help but blush. Now everyone was looking at him… By the time they reached their destination they had acquired quite the following; all of whom spread out in a circle around the fire around which Kamoku would dance.

With encouragement from Cole and a pleased look from both Duke Draven and Jarett he took his place. As the strains of the first part of the song wove through the air he forgot all about the people watching and closed his eyes. It started off slowly, then with each passing verse the music grew stronger and fast, and Kamoku’s dancing transform from a week and feeble flame to a roaring bonfire.

Sweat gleamed on his skin as he danced around the fire, twisting his body and turning to the flow of the music that stole him away. The bells at his wrists and ankles made their own cadence to the song and sparkled in the light.

Abruptly the music stopped and Kamoku fell to the ground like the last log in a dying fire, at the same time a log did fall in the duke’s fire and sent a shower of sparks into the air. For a heartbeat there was complete silence, and then a roar of applause and clapping filled the air much as the music had. Getting up Kamoku dusted off and bowed his head towards his master. His heart was pounding and he was breathless, his cheeks flushed from the experience.

“Well done Kamoku.” Orion said, looking smug. Bowing further he said softly. “I am glad to have pleased you Master.”

“You are excused to your chamber now.” Nodding he backed away and let Cole take his arm to lead him back again. “You were wonderful out there Kamoku.” He said opening the door for him. “You’ve impressed the duke very much tonight.” Lifting his hand in farewell he left and Kamoku shut the door and climbed onto the bed, moving a little more than he had to, to make the bells sing.

Dinner was delivered and after he had eaten and used the chamber-pot he took off all of the clothes except for the underclothes and fell asleep.

That day set the pace for the rest of the week. Every morning after breakfast they would set off. He had the mornings to himself and used them to either look around at the world outside as they passed, following the river or to do stretches and simple dance moves.

When they stopped for lunch Jarett would visit with him and talk with him. During that week Kamoku learned what astrology was, the story of creation and how to play chess –among other things. Those were his favorite times and he would often think of more questions to ask Jarett when he returned the next day.

During the evening he rested or sang until they stopped for the day. Then there was a bath in the river, dancing for Duke Draven, and then supper.

It was during the last day of their journey when he was talking with Jarett that he asked one of the more pressing questions that had been on his mind.

“Jarett…” here he paused and looked down. “What is it Kamo?” the man asked, tilting his head to look at him. “I was wondering…what…What is sex like?” he asked, looking up at the man. Far from the demeaning chuckle and ‘you’ll see’ that he had expected, Jarett looked thoughtful as he leaned back on the bed next to the elf. “It’s hard to say really, as it is different for everyone. Why do you ask?”

“It’s just that…” he bit his lip and hugged his knees to his chest. “I’m scared. What if he’s like Seth? I’ve heard him and his slave together you know… It’s very violent.” He shuddered at the thought of it.

“Yes, he is. But I don’t think Malikai will be like that.” He said as he pulled Kamoku close and hugged him. “And even if I am wrong, you will know pleasure too. I’m sure that you could find a compassionate lover among the Harem or the servants even.”

“But…Wouldn’t that be against the rules?”

Jarett shrugged. “It wasn’t when I was there, but then it was a different king. And even if it is, isn’t it worth it to find someone that cares for you?"

“I…suppose so. Maybe.” He looked out of the window. “How close are we?”

“Well, it’s going to take the rest of the day but by nightfall we should be inside the gates. We will be spending tonight in the castle, and tomorrow you will be presented to the king as a gift during the celebration.”

They had changes topics then and now as the sun was dipping below the sky they were indeed driving through the gates of the Springs of Life, the largest oasis in the Tron Desert.

Looking out of the small window, Kamoku shuddered. The place was huge! The sand-stone structure was simply enormous, and more than a little over whelming. Entering the south gates as they were they bypassed the town that was on the other-side. The road they when down led to the stables and as he was let out into the courtyard he gasped.

He started to tremble slightly. He was a gift to the man that controlled all of [i]this[/i]?! The stables alone were larger than the entire Slave market. Holding himself he silently followed Cole into the building. Archways led into halls and common quarters while sturdy wooden doors closed of the more private areas. Through the windows he saw more than one garden as they were lead through the maze of hallways and stairs. Tapestries were hung on the walls every now and then, giving life and color the otherwise bland stone.

The rooms they arrived in were open and spacious, with plush cushions and polished wood tables. It shouted ‘power and wealth’ without being to overbearing.

Kamoku was lead to a side chamber where –as Cole supervised- an oil was rubbed into his skin, smelling faintly of almonds and making his skin seem to glow with an inner light. He was directed to lie down on a lounge chair, and any calluses that might have formed were rubbed away until every inch of his skin was like satin.

Stretching on the lounge he smiled and looked around. His skin was buzzing from all the attention and he felt so relaxed… When Cole moved over and started to comb out his hair he sighed and closed his eyes.

He nearly drifted off as this was going on, finding the action quite soothing. When Cole nudged him gently he sat up and opened his eyes, yawning cutely. “Hmmmm?”

“Dinner is here, eat then you can sleep.”

“Alright...” rubbing at his eyes he smiled as the food was brought in. It was wonderful food, mostly lightly grilled fruit and water with a few meat dishes. When he was done he pushed the plate away, patting his tummy. This last week he had gotten to eat all he wanted of the best foods, and he felt that if this kept up, he’d be getting round around the waist. Giggling softly at the thought he mumbled thanks to the servant girl that came to take away the plate. “Where am I to…” he had to pause as he yawned. “…sleep?”

Cole smiled and helped him up. “Right over here,” he said walking through yet another arch way that led to a room with a cot piled with pillows. “Sleep well Kamoku. Tomorrow you meet your true Master.” He said as he turned to walk away. The small elf watched him and smiled as he snuggled down into the soft bedding.

He was to at ease now to worry what the future might hold, and soon enough the combination of good food and a cozy bed drew him into darkness.