Gridgor's Passing

Chapter 5-- Fair


Theron felt a firm shake on his shoulder, startling him awake. Calth'air stared in the dim light of the oil light at the mage's face. His hair was tossed about a little wildly from sleep with his eyes a little baggy.

"How was your rest?"Calth'air asked, smoothing down his hair. Theron waved his hands way, turning away and smoothing his hair down with his fingers.

"Fine…"He answered lowly, looking over his shoulder. Cal reached out to touch Theron's hair, the mage flinching away. Grabbing his shoulder Cal pulled him over and started to braid his hair back. "W-what are you doing?"

"Fixing hair. Dinner will be ready soon."Calth'air answered. He braided three braids on either side of Theron's head, pulling them back into a small pony tail while the rest of his hair remained straight. Theron fidgeted, looking around the tented room. The taller mage gave him a pat on his shoulder, the mage turning so he could slip his shoes on.

~"Um…Do I have to…put on a shirt?"~Theron asked, his eyebrows furrowing.

Cal raised his eyebrow, looking down at himself then looking to Theron with a smile. ~"There's no need to cover up your chest here."~He said, crossing his arms. The mage frowned, bringing his hand to his arm and rubbing it slowly. He'd gotten so used to wearing the robes, Hezekiah's night shirts and the poncho with his Amestrian garb but now he just felt plain naked with just pants and shoes on.

~"Fine."~Cal bent, turning to leave the room and returning with the poncho. Theron snatched at the poncho, Cal pulling it away. ~"Only if you go out to the fire pit."~

"Jerk."Theron muttered, trying again to snatch the poncho. Calth'air was a little faster than he was. The male smirked down at him, Theron getting up from the bed and shuffling out of the room. He froze a little when his feet hit the hallway, his heart racing. Calth'air came up behind him, giving him a nudge. Shuffling a bit, his shoulders cowering, he walked down the hall, looking side to side. Outside, he could hear people laughing and playing, drums and symbols being played.

When he got near the gathering room and toward the very front entrance of the tent. Cal peeked out, the music stopping as he looked back in. Theron was sweating pretty hard but once he received his poncho, he calmed down. Pulling the cloth away, he urged the mage forward. Around a big bonfire was the whole tribe, a whole pig being cooked on a spit over it. Looking around, there were a little over a hundred pairs of violet eyes staring back at him.

~"Hel…lo?"~Theron said, raising his hand a little. There was quiet and that was enough to encourage Theron to turn around. Cal's arm, however, kept him from entering the tent again.

~"He's a little shy."~Calth'air said, a couple of the women laughing a little bashfully themselves. Everyone went back to what they were doing, the musicians beating on their drums again. Theron pushed against Cal's arm but the taller man easily pushed him back, guiding him over to a large mat with a blanket that several large pillows were set. Cal's father sat at one of them, picking at some of the smaller meal that was prepared before dinner. The whole area smelled like fish. Cal made him sit down near a big green one which he gladly took to. It was green and reminded him of his comfy, layers of…well…comfort. Cal's father smiled at him, offering him a skewer of fish.

~"Take it, you must be hungry."~He said. Out of respect, Theron took it, picking at it a little. ~"Why don't you tell us a little about yourself? Let the village know you like family."~

~"Ah..Family?"~Theron said, surprised. His face reddened and he looked down at his stick that was still covered in fish. Taking a bite of courage, he swallowed down the meat and thought on it a little. Cal looked to his father, shaking his head. The old man's eyebrows rose, his forehead crinkling like an old piece of paper.

~"I am sorry. With my age, I forget these things."~He apologized.

~"Fine…It's fine…."~The paler one answered, looking back to his stick. ~"I have two sons that I have taken in with my…"~He started, looking around. Some of the men and women leaned in a little. They had heard rumors, no doubt, of his own behavior. From the village, he could pick out a few of the Nadle.

Nadle were men or women who chose to love someone of the same sex. From the litter of people, men were snuggling against a fairer man who was leaner than most. Some women could very much hold warrior or leader status while their fair, motherly counterparts petted their arm lovingly.

~"My…Second…Soulmate…"~He finished. ~"I'm sure you've heard. It's the King of Grayharte but my soul is connected to Ace…I love my family. What more can I say other than it is they that I only have left."~

~"Please consider us your family as well, Lord Mage."~ A soft voice spoke up from right beside the tribe leader. A slightly younger, a little more feminine man spoke up, leaning to look at him.

~"Pappi, it's nice to see you up and about. Did Papa drag you out of the tent tonight?"~Calth'air said with a laugh, crawling over and giving the man a kiss on the forehead. The elderly man laughed a little, patting Cal's head like a small child before he went to go sit down again.

~"P-pappi? You're a…"~Theron said, looking at the two of them with his mouth gaping. Cal flicked him in the head.

~"Yes, they are. Pappi gave birth to about eight of Papa's children, including myself you know."~Calth'air said with a roll of his eyes. Theron was a little in awe and admiration to the two men. Cal put his hand underneath Theron's jaw, closing it for him.

~"I…I'm sorry. It's just…Well, I was given the chance to do the same but…Hezekiah…the boys…We don't know if we should start or…or just…give in."~Theron said, frowning. ~"His mother wants to have grandchildren…but…by a woman…"~

~"I see. Xiar's family was a little bit of the same way, Rho…Don't fret. You will have that opportunity though do mind that you will be in a lot of pain. Try going through it eight times. I think Calth'air here was one of the more painful ones."~The man joked. ~"Ah, forgive me, my name is Sheshik."~

~"It's nice to meet you."~Theron said, lowering his head a little. Sheshik smiled warmly, leaning his head on Xiar's shoulder.

The mage watched the two closely, then turning back to eat the rest of his fish until the pig had been fully cooked. The men and women picked at the meat, putting it to long trays with some extra bits mixed in with it. A tray was set in front of groups of people along with a hard bread that was used to scoop it up and eat. Theron hadn't had this type of meal in a long time and it made his heart ache almost with joy for the experience again.

As people ate, dancers came out and shook their hips around the fireplace. Theron watched with little interest, even with the heavy gazes and teasing as they got closer started to get a little more uncomfortable. Cal shooed them off, getting a bit of sand in his food. Whatever. There was plenty of it. When things calmed down, children being tucked away for the night, things started getting a little steamier.

Theron had made himself comfortable on the giant green pillow, curling up some. A Nadle male, had taken interest and tucked a little bit of dark chestnut hair behind his ear. ~"He's handsome."~He commented, looking to Calth'air with a smile.

Cal raised an eyebrow. ~"He looks like everyone else, Nua."~He noted, looking down at the dozing mage.

~"Just reeeaally look at him, Cal…His skin is paler and it feels so soft."~Nua spoke softly, running his finger down Theron's side that peeked from under the poncho. ~"Lean too. You could wrap your arms twice around him."~

Calth'air just smirked. ~"You can't. I couldn't even when I went to Grayharte to watch him. He's got strong arms."~ Cal said, putting his arm up in example. The Nadle could only smile, bringing a hand up to run his slim fingers along it.

~"Indeed."~Nua purred. ~"If you are ever near my tent, you know you're more than welcome."~

~"I'll pass."~ The tribal leader huffed.

~"You know, the sea ate him…Are you sure you want to keep waiting?~"Nua teased a little but got a dark, loathing stare from Cal.

~"Go eat some sand."~Cal growled. Nua merely smiled, slinking back to one of the mats on the sand. Theron shifted a little, licking his lips. Calth'air decided that it was time for the mage go back into his little hole in the Tribal Leader's tent. He'd had enough for the night. Slipping his arms underneath him, he picked him up easily and carried him bridal style into Xiar's tent, down the hall and into their room. Laying him down, the mage grumbled something about someone's grip being too tight, rolling over with his face catching some of the low light of the oil lamp still lit.

Well…What Nua said was true. As the light hit along his skin, it looked to have a smooth halo around it from the light. His neck was a little longer and curved nicely as his head tilted. If he had been covered up, he could have been mistaken for a woman almost. Pulling up the blanket at the foot of the bed, Cal shook his head and sat down on his own.

"G…nnnn…Gri…"Theron mumbled in his sleep. He arched a little, rolling so he was lying on his stomach, drawing himself up. "Go…rocks…"

Calth'air listened. He didn't know the full details but he heard that Gridgor had died in an accident, a rock fall of some kind. A loud thud brought him out of his musing and he saw that Theron had managed to whack his arm against the low headboard. It was beginning to get more violent and now he was beginning to wonder if the King's personal mage in Grayharte had done something. Moving over quickly, he took the unconscious mage's arms, pinning them to his sides as he slipped under the covers.

With a grapple hold, he held onto him to keep him from hurting himself in his sleep. Theron squirmed underneath him, Calth'air grinning a little when his foot managed to jam into a tender area. The mage calmed down, panting and shifting little before he fell into a deeper sleep.


In the morning, Theron woke up unable to sit up. Craning his head, he saw a braided head of hair sleeping on top of him, making him pale. "G…Gri?"He called out, Cal shifting a little before lulling his head up, smacking his lips a little as he was still fast asleep. It wasn't Gri, it was Calth'air. Why had he thought that it was Gri when this copycat had the smell of the ocean and not pine on him? Laying his head back down, he stared at the roof of the tent, trying to close his eyes again.

~"Mmm…Fishcakes…"~Cal mumbled, turning his face so it was buried into Theron's stomach. The mage wasn't too sure he was comfortable with another man lying on top of him but held still, clearing his throat a little. Calth'air rolled his head up, his eyes up and open, looking around. ~"Uuumm…"~

~"Get. Off."~Theron said lowly, Calth'air slowly getting up to stretch. Looking down, he saw that he still had his pants on, Cal the same as well. So…He hadn't done anything to him. Just laid on top of him…though he would make it clear that he was not the man's pillow. Sitting up, he ran his fingers through his hair, getting up on his feet with a wobble.

~"Don't get the wrong idea, you were thrashing around so much you would have broken something."~Cal said as he dug a bit of earwax out of his long ears with his little finger.

~"I was thrashing?"~He said, only slightly surprised. Hezekiah had managed to get a good smack because of a rough night but he hadn't really known just how bad it was. Bringing his hand to his eyes, he sat down again. ~"I'v been having the same nightmare for weeks now…~"

~"Tell me about it."~Cal responded.

Theron just shook his head. ~"No. It's a nightmare…I'm a grown man, I can get over it."~He said as he rose up again. ~"Where's breakfast?"~

~"Same place as last night. Come on.~"Cal said, leading the drowsy mage out of the room and down the hall. He could hear no music playing this time and everyone was quiet. When they went out, there were some people still eating. ~"Reyah, how long did we sleep in? All the pickings are almost gone."~ Cal tsked as he went to seek out some food for them.

The light of the morning sun was so bright by the see. When Cal stepped aside, unblocking Theron from his shadow, it seemed like was getting a flash to the face. Cowering, he covered his eyes, peeking until he could see again. He didn't get a good look at the village before but now he saw just how big it was. From the main tent, he could see that it extended all the way down the beach. ~"My…"~He said, hearing someone clear their throat in front of him.

Calth'air held two plates of food. ~"They were grateful enough to at least save some food."~He sighed.

~"Your village is so big…"~Theron said in awe.

~"Really? I though it was always so tiny."~Calth'air said jokingly with a cocky smirk. ~"Many of our tribesman and others have joined us along the coastline after everyone was released. It's safe here."~He said as Theron took his plate and went to go sit down on the sand.

~"Mine was small…It was mostly family from both sides."~Theron said as he bit into a crispy fried fish that had some form of sweet sauce all over it.

~"I see…"~Cal said as he wolfed down some of his meat.

Wow this was awkward. Theron finished his plate and got up, Calth'air getting up immediately behind him. The taller one took his plate, setting it under his own. Annoyed, the mage grabbed both plates, heading into the gathering room so he could wash them…or wherever they washed their dirtied dishwater.

~"Oye, I can take care of that."~Cal said, trying to snatch them away again.

~"I can do it."~Theron huffed, moving it away and walking a little faster.

~"You're a guest here."~ Calth'air growled, walking behind him with a brisk pace. Theron just walked faster and soon they were making a track through the village, arguing and still fighting over doing the dishes. It wasn't until Sheshik stepped in and took the plates from the mage that it stopped.

~"You two are quite loud this morning. I'll take care of them. Calth'air, take him for a walk along the beach and show him around."~Sheshik said with a gentle smile. Theron reddened in the face but Calth'air was still just as annoyed as before.

~"He's a guest here, Pappi…"~Calth'air muttered, getting flick to the ear by his mother-father.

~"Even guests can do they're fair share of work. He can hep me if he chooses to, or he can help the men go fishing. Either way, he's welcome and he is family."~Sheshik smiled, petting the side of Calth'air's cheek. The man softened right away, leaning his head until the elder's hand.

~"Right…I'll take him."~Cal said with a sigh, patting the hand on his cheek and then putting a hand on Theron's shoulder. Sheshik smiled, heading back towards his tent while the two shuffled away after getting chastised a little by the mother-father. Cal took the mage to the shore but sat down instead of walking along the beach.

~"I hate getting chastised by Pappi…I feel so guilty afterwards."~Cal admitted.

~"You did do something wrong."~Theron said flatly, leaning down to remove his shoes so he could wade around in the water some. The cool sat water felt good around his feet yet also gave him a little time to heal himself of any little aches or pains. His back wasn't really in the best condition after sleeping the first night on the hard flat platform. Cal watched as the mage's body glowed with a soft aura of violet light.

~"You're just as guilty, mage."~Cal said with a huff. ~"Don't forget, I'm not the only one he talked to."~

~"Right, right…"~Theron said with a sigh.

Cal's curiosity got the best of him. Getting to his feet, he strode over and cautiously put a hand along Theron's arm, the mage flinching since he didn't expect to be touched. ~"What is this…light that you've got? It's warm."~He asked, tracing his finger along it. The light changed shape and would move away where ever his finger touched.

~"I'm healing."~He answered, bringing his hand to his shoulder. ~"I forgot what sleeping in a bed like that is like. I'm a little achey."~

Cal laughed curtly. ~"You were spoiled back at that castle."~He smirked.

Theron fell quiet, his head drooping some. It just reminded him of how much he missed everyone. Ludwig and Mamoru's mischievous behavior, Hezekiah's kind hands. The roughness of Calth'air's were a reminder that it wasn't them. He started to sink and Cal put his arms under Theron's shoulders, pulling him away from the water.

~"Hey! Hey, don't faint!"~He said, shaking him. Theron was out like a light. Great.

Sitting there on the beach as slowly the afternoon sun started to rise, Theron was out for a while. Someone had went to of find them, seeing them lying on the sand. Cal peeked open an eye, looking up at them. ~"He fainted."~

~"Sure. Lunch is ready, I suggest you go take him to Xiar to get him checked out."~The other man noted, nodding and turning away. Calth'air hoped that Theron would have come out of his fainting spell, though now it didn't look to be so. Adjusting the mage, he picked him up and carried him back to the village. Xiar was sitting in his typical spot at the head circle closest to his own tent with Sheshik by his side, feeding him a piece of meat.

They saw him, Xiar rising to his feet. Laying Theron down on a mat, Xiar put a wet, cool rag on his forehead. ~"Tell me what happened, Cal."~Xiar said as he knelt down and sat himself cross-legged, his old bones popping.

~"We started talking and I brought up the Grayharte castle…He fainted right after that."~He explained, his elongated ears drooping some. He was in for another lecture again. However, a soft laugh brought Xiar and Calth'air out of their seriousness. Sheshik stood at the open flap of the tent, a hand to his chin.

~"I may have some idea of why he fainted. Poor dear is homesick."~ Sheshik said with a soft smile, joining Xiar and Calth'air. ~"Cal-dear, did he bring anything from home with him to here? Clothes or anything?"~

~"Well, his 'family' gave him some things to remember them by. I think there was a blanket among them."~He said as he rose, leaving briefly to retrieve the sack that Theron brought with him, returning with a rich, soft blanket. Cal had never felt something so comfortable. Covering Theron with it, the mage seemed to pop back to life when he felt the weight of it, his eyes sliding open and blinking around.

The blanket smelled like Hezekiah and strongly. Bringing his hands up, he brought the cloth of his face, inhaling deeply.

~"Feeling better, Rho-sweetie?"~Sheshik asked, smoothing back his hangs. Theron sat up, red in the face.

~"Uh…Um…Yes, Thank you."~Theron said, shifting a little. ~"You do not have to call me Rhodhir…Everyone just calls me Theron now."~

The three other men looked at each other, then back to him. Smiling, they just mentally shrugged it off. ~"Rhodhir is easier to pronounce."~ Xiar admitted.

Sheshik nodded in agreement. ~"It's your true name, who you really are."~He added.

Theron went a little quiet, staring down at the blanket. His head was whirring, going through different reasons to say no but he couldn't find the exact one. Closing his eyes, he laid back again. ~"Rhodhir…is fine…"~He answered.