Persistence

A/N: Thank you kylee for reviewing! *Hands out cokkies and hot chocolate* :) Also thanks for those who rated :)


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Conversations


The castle was surprisingly calm after the unconscious guards were found and it was discovered that the crown jewels were missing. The facts were reported to the King's man-servant who passed it to the King and his wife Lumi. The ruler of Atanva threw a fit but ordered to hide the thievery from public to prevent any rumours and ruckus. The queen on the other hand was more worried over their only son and went to his chamber, although it was already late and she guessed Syran was already asleep. She cautiously opened the door and peeked inside, saw her son sleeping and smiled. Lumi was about to close the door when she caught sight of Syran's clothes scattered all over the floor, something that was not typical for her son. The queen furrowed her brows and then went into the room, lit an oil lamp on Syran's bedside table, sat on a chair close to the bed and shook her son's shoulder gently. "Syr, honey. Wake up!"

Syran moved a bit when feeling something shaking him and opened his eyes sleepily. When he saw his mother sitting beside his bed, his eyes opened wide and he looked around in confusion. "What?" The young man felt embarrassed – he was naked under the covers! Quickly Syran pulled the coverlet higher, peeking at his mother and blinking. The prince knew this was bad, bad, bad... BAD! That damn thief! How could he have done this? Syran felt endlessly stupid, lost for words. "W-what?" He repeated, nothing else came to his mind. Maybe his mother did not know?

Patting her son's head with a smile, the queen chuckled. "You know, Syri, I've seen you naked numerous times, so no need to be ashamed in front of your mother." Then she became serious. "Are you alright?"

Syran still felt embarrassed! After all it was different because now he was a grown up man and... and just had sex! With the thief! This was horrible! "I-yes..." He whispered. "What happened?" The small man had a bad feeling; this was about the jewels, wasn't it?

Looking worried at her son Lumi furrowed her brows again. Something was off. Syran was nervous, but about what? "The crown jewels were stolen. The two guards at the treasure room's door were found unconscious but there is no sign that the thief left through any guarded exit. Your father wants to keep still and investigate without attracting public interest. Well, but that aside, Syri... Are you alright? You seem nervous..."

"I-I'm fine, I just... I don't remember..." He blurted nervously. "I don't remember," he repeated. "I have a slight headache. Can I go back to sleep?" He wanted out of this awkward situation and he wanted that fast!

Lumi felt her son's forehead. He was a little hot and his face was a bit red. "Do you have a fever? Shall I call for the doctor?" She wanted to lift the covers to feel for Syran's tail and see if it was hypersensitive to touching - a sure sign that he was ill - but her son clutched the covers close to his body. "Syran?" she asked a bit worried.

"No doctor!" He denied quickly, "I'm sure I'll be fine if I get some rest." He nodded. "Please mom?" Syran asked and his heart was beating madly. He felt like he would die from the embarrassment.

Lumi nodded and got up slowly. "I guess you are right. You are a grown up man, right Syri?" She wanted to turn to the door when something caught her sight. "What is that?" She asked and bent down. "Oh my!" She grinned. "A hickey! Who is the lucky girl?" The queen asked and took her seat again, leaning forward, interest gleaming in her eyes.

Syran's eyes widened again, his hand quickly going to his neck. Damn that Jaro! He wasn't sure what to reply. 'Think Syr! Think!' His mind was screaming but gave no answer to him. Dammit! "Mom..." He whined. "I want to sleep." Perhaps she would just let it go?

Lumi waved her son's comment aside. "You can sleep later. Now satisfy your mom's curiosity. Who is it? Your maiden?" She pondered. "No, I think she is too old. Or do you like them old? And what did you do? Kissing? Or even some touching?" The queen smirked. “Did my little boy get lucky?”

"Mom!" Syran gave her a shocked look. "It's silly to talk about this with you..." He muttered. "It's nothing serious..." Why couldn't he have a less inquisitive mother?

"Awww, come on, don't be shy, Syri! You know, your father and I do it, too." Lumi grinned. "Otherwise you wouldn't be here." Then something came to her mind. "Or wait... Is it one of the guards or male servants? You never showed real interest in the girls though some tried to catch your eye..." Her mien darkened for a moment, but then she smiled again. "So, who was it? And how was it? What was it? Nothing serious but fun?"

Syran blushed at the mention of her and his father. "It was... one of the guards..." He decided to lie. "Nothing serious but fun. Happy?" He asked. "Can I sleep now?"

"Who?" Lumi asked and then spoke more to herself. "I have to talk with the doctor that he gives you some special oil..." Looking back at her son, she said: "Fun is fine! But don't fall for one of them. Oh and keep it discreet, we don't need the castle to talk about your bed partners..." Looking around at the scattered clothes she grinned. "Did you even get to bed?"

Syran's blush deepened. "Mom!" He whined again. "I don't want to talk about such things with you. You are my mother, it's embarrassing."

Lumi huffed playfully. "Why is it embarrassing? I even explained to you how sex works. So no need for false shame. Do you have questions? Be careful! Oh and how does he look? Perhaps we share our taste in men?"

She just wouldn't give in Syran realised and started thinking through the guards they had, the few that he had seen looking at him in certain way and well he could pick the one he liked the best. "He has those ginger coloured ears and hair, tall...green eyes..." He listed. "And I don't have any questions..."

Lumi sighed a bit dreamily. "Yeah, tall guys are the best. And green eyes are good." She suddenly sniffed and then grinned broadly at her son. "You two did it a little ago, huh? But Syri, you should wash afterwards. Or lick yourself clean... Or let him lick you clean!"

"MOM!" Syran felt his ears fall little flat from his embarrasment His mother was such a perv, who knew? "I will take care of myself, please can I sleep now?"

Lumi sighed. Her son was so uncooperative. Just some small talk between mother and son was too much? "Well okay, little white ear." She bend down and kissed Syran's forehead. "He smells nice," she chuckled and then got up. "Good night, Syri."

"Goodnight mom," Syran whispered with a small smile feeling more relaxed now; danger avoided. But he would need to find Jaro! And get those jewels back! How dared he to steal after what they did? -that bastard.

Lumi collected the scattered clothing and placed them on a chair when she saw the secret door was open a bit. "Syran!" She said with a stern voice. "Were you outside?"

Syran felt the colour draining from his face as he looked towards the door, "I uh..." he trembled slightly and tried to stop himself. What should he say?

Lumi returned to the bed. "Young man! Were you outside or not?" She furrowed her brows, and glared at Syran. "It's not one of the guards, right? You have a lover from outside, right?"

"I-I just went to get something from the kitchen, maybe I forgot to close it?" Syran answered nervously, hoping she'd believe it.

"I am your mother, Syran. I know when you are lying!" She sighed and then took a seat again. "Come on Syri, tell me. I won't tell your father." She gently petted Syran's hair.

He bit his lip and drew his knees close to his chest. "He's from outside..." He admitted finally. "You won't tell father?" He made sure even though his mom had promised.

"Sure, little white ear," she smiled at Syran's small form. He was still a boy at times and she admitted that she liked it. "Just tell me, I won't tell anyone if you don't want me to."

He hesitated, thinking it was better to lie still a little. He couldn't tell his mom that Jaro had stolen the crown jewels! "It just fun, exciting, but harmless... he's been with me a few times and I was out to see him."

"You were out without guards?" Lumi sighed. "Well... And you walked back home covered with your semen?" She smirked a bit when Syran blushed. "But Syri... Well, how does he look and what does he do?"

"He's a ...trained blacksmith." It was the first thing that came to his mind. "He's tall...dark..." Syran bit his lip. "Handsome..."

Lumi had to smile. "So we share our taste in men. You wanna tell me his name?"

"I would rather keep it to myself for now. Do you mind, mom?" Syran asked.

"No, not really. But we will have to be more careful. Two guards will go with you from now on. After all, you are the prince. Oh and Syri, it really is just fun?" She looked intensely at her son, searching in his gaze.

Syran nodded quickly. "Yes, just for fun, " he said, still slightly annoyed and bitter at Jaro. And two guards? That wouldn't work. "I can look after myself," Syran added.

"No. I promised to not tell your father, but I insist on two guards." She had seen something in her son's eyes she didn't like. "It will be guards I trust and who will be discreet." 'And only report to me. I will have to have a talk with that blacksmith,' Lumi thought. "I care for your safety and I don't know that blacksmith. Also, there are thefts and worse out there!"

Syran nodded feeling slightly defeated. He would have to think of something to get those guards off his back. "I'll be careful," he promised. "But now I really need some sleep." The blond smiled at the queen, glad that she wasn't mad at him.

"Okay, my little white ear." Lumi bent forward and kissed her son on the forehead again. "The guards will be ready tomorrow or the day after, so no more sneaking outside till then!"

Syran sighed. "Alright." he promised, though secretly he was plotting how to go out later on his own. Guards would just stand in his way to find Jaromir and get the pendant back. "Good night, and thanks mom."

"Good night then, Syri." Lumi walked to the door and then turned one last time, looking sternly. "One more thing Syran. I don't need to emphasize that you cannot under any circumstances show him or anyone else the secret passage to your room!" Her face softened. "But now sleep, my big boy."

Syran nodded. Thank god she didn't know the whole truth! He still cursed his own stupidity, cursed how weak he had been, not able to fight the lust he felt towards the darker Ylvas. He would have to work on that! But already his mind started to wander towards the pleasurable memory of their encounter... What was it in Jaromir that got to him so? Syran felt confused over his feelings.

-------------- Other place around the same time --------------

Kolli glared at the man irritated while poring himself and his brother a drink. "It shouldn't have been that damn difficult," he told to the armed man who stood at the door bowing his head.

"I'm sorry my lord, but the prince was not at the ball. Rumours said he was sent home, but none of my men saw him or his guards leaving."

Kolli walked closer to where his brother stood and gave him his drink before taking a sip from his own glass. "It seems that Zandoran suspects something..." He muttered before looking back at the man and waving his hand to dismiss him. "You may go, we call you back if you are needed," he told him.

"Very well my lord." The man bowed again before turning and walking out of the room closing the door behind him.

Kolli turned once more to his brother eyeing him carefully. "Corrav, I hope you have not talked about our plan to any outsider while visiting that tavern of yours," he said keeping a calm voice.

Corrav sipped lazily at his wine, leaned back in his chair a bit provoking. "Nah, I am no blabber mouth. Are you sure those mercenaries of yours can keep their mouth shut when they rest their drunken faces in the cleavage of a cheap wh*re?" He lifted a brow.

"Who knows... Bunch of idiots who can't do one simple thing right!" Kolli growled, completely dismissing the thought that he had failed as well at his first attempt – he hadn't been properly prepared then. Kolli sighed then. "Well be it as it is, Zandoran seems to suspect something and now we have to think of another plan. I have no doubt that he's increased safety measurements around that brat."

"Yeah, you are right. I guess there won't be many openings for now. But didn't you say they go hunting in the spring, a bit south in Kensihli? I have an hidden outpost there, so we can retreat there for now and prepare a trap." Taking another gulp of his wine Corrav twirled the mug between his fingers. "Though I hate waiting..."

"Syran also just might go out on his own. I know he has done it before, so he might do it again. We should keep an eye on the castle," Kolli said, sipping at his wine again, trying to think. "If only there was a way to sneak our men inside, get their trust, get one of us to guard the prince..." He grinned at the thought; how amusing it would be!

"Kolli, you know as well as I know that the prince's guards are selected from the queen and the king themselves. Only guards that served for many years and have gained their trust are considered to guard their precious son. So the only possibility would be to get one of them, blackmail them or bribe them." Corrav put his mug on the table, looking at his older brother. "But those guards are said to be very, very loyal and I am not so good with the subtle ways... That is more your part."

"Well, we try to find out their weaknesses.” Kolli pondered for a few moments and then decided: “We set out that trap you mentioned, observe the castle and the prince's movements. If he goes out, even with some guards, I guess we can set up an ambush. Eventually something will win us the prize. For now we have to wait and hope for the brat's own foolishness." Kolli grinned.

Corrav grinned back. "Sounds like a plan. You know, brother, I don't like cities. So you watch the castle and try to "convince" the guards and I will return to my outpost and set up some traps." Getting up Corrav smirked. "I will take some toys with me for the long winter nights, but in case that little brat falls into my hands, how unharmed do you need him? And should I send you his tail tip or an ear?"

Kolli grinned at him. "I am not overly concerned of his well being, but I guess we shouldn't go overboard with cutting parts of him too soon." He chuckled and winked. "If you get him, send a word to me, then we'll see."

Corrav nodded. "Okay, but I won't treat him royally." He then tapped his chin. "Or I will just do that. Anyway, so we have an agreement? If I don't hear word from you, I expect you mid spring at my outpost." Pouring himself another mug, the tall man chuckled. "Oh, and just so you know, I will take that wild cat Karina with me. She may be your wh*re and earns you lots of money but she is great with her mouth. See it as my early New Year present and who knows, I may give you an even bigger one back!"

Kolli rolled his eyes, slightly amused. "Very well, I suppose I wouldn't want my brother completely bored in his duty." He then added: "Just don't forget your duty despite that wicked mouth of hers." Kolli winked.

Corrav smirked. "I won't. I know that area like the back of my hand and have many traps and outlooks where my men have a good sight on the landscape. I will know of any by passers." His grin grew. "Or trespassers in this case!"

"Good." Kolli nodded. "I only wish I could see Zandora's face when he will learn that we have his precious little prince." He sighed dreamily, hating his half-brother with passion.

"I am sure of that," Corrav replied, knowing of Kolli's obsession he had with Zandoran and the despise and hate he felt for the King. "Good, I will leave this night and arrive at my outpost in three days. I will leave my mountain eagle here, you can contact me with it." With this he left the room.


TBC.