Surreal

The grunting sounds filtered towards Ja’el’s ears before he even arrived at the gym where the sounds were emanating. Pressing his back against the wall, Ja’el cautiously peered around the side of the door. What he saw made his mouth go dry.

Erik was exercising on one of the large, padded floor mats with a sword that was no doubt taller than Ja’el. Aside from its length, the blade was also thick and the silver metal gleamed in the well lighted gym. The sheer size of the blade wasn’t the only thing that left Ja’el stunned and speechless. His bodyguard’s attire had a little something to do with that as well.

The only piece of clothing Erik wore was a pair of blue, silk shorts that showcased his well toned arms and legs. Ja’el was fascinated by the way his arm muscles rippled as he wielded the no doubt heavy sword. However, his eyes were glued to the firmness of Erik’s buttocks well outlined in the skimpy shorts.

It’d taken Ja’el a couple days to finally work up the courage to leave his private quarters and find a way to socialize with his bodyguard. He’d come to realize that since Erik now knew of his true appearance then he’d have no need to use the AC injector until they arrived in Samian. Yet, his initial hesitation was due to the fact that he was aware of Erik’s attraction to him. Should Ja’el risk something happening between them by allowing himself to enjoy his company? The answer to that question had been ‘no’ for two days. Until finally he came to the conclusion that he had enough willpower to reject the giant’s advances and Ja’el hoped that Erik’s promise never to hurt him would stand true in this instance.

“You may as well come in, that way you can get a better view of me.”

Ja’el froze in his tracks as he realized Erik’s statement was aimed at him. By the gods, how had Erik known he was there? Taking a deep breath, Ja’el pushed himself off the wall and walked boldly into the gym. Big mistake. Here he was, face to face – up close and personal to this half naked hunky man. His normally slicked back ebony hair had fallen forward to frame his bronzed face provocatively. Those gorgeous forest-green eyes seemingly devoured Ja’el, making him feel naked although he was dressed from head to toe in a black turtle-neck and dark gray slacks.

“Good day,” Ja’el stuck his hands in his pockets as he stood there, unsure of what else to say.

Erik chuckled, and a wide grin was spread across his handsome face before he replied, “Good day.” With one flick of his wrist, the giant blade retracted into the hilt of the sword. The grin never left his face as he turned and walked to a nearby table and set the hilt down. He then retrieved two plastic short swords from a bin and returned in Ja’el’s direction.

“Well, let’s make the most of it while you’re here. Practice with me.” Erik tossed Ja’el one of the plastic swords.

Ja’el fumbled the fake weapon before finally grasping the hilt between both hands. “I don’t know the first thing about sword fighting.”

“Then I’ll teach you.” Erik quickly closed the distance between them and saw the leery expression on Ja’el’s face. “Relax – it will be fun.”

Ja’el held the sword out in front of him and used it to jab Erik’s bare chest lightly. “Like that?”

“Yep, if your intention is to tickle me.” Erik grinned before allowing his sword to fall to the floor and quickly moving behind Ja’el and placing his larger hands over his which still held his sword. “You’re clutching it too tightly; loosen your grip just a little.”

Ja’el didn’t understand how this had happened. All of a sudden he had Erik standing over him in a spoon position with his strong hands pressed against his. He could feel his warm breath sending a tingle down his neck. When Ja’el felt the outline of his cock through the thin shorts he quickly pulled away. “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”

“Why not? We were just going to have a little fun, that’s all,” Erik replied.

“I’m not sure if your idea of fun will mesh with mine,” Ja’el said as he attempted to put a few feet of distance between them.

“Why don’t you just say what’s on your mind?” Erik asked.

Ja’el shrugged, “I simply don’t want to give you the wrong idea about me.”

Erik scratched his head before folding his arms across his chest. “Could you be talking about the barely restrained sexual tension that exists between us?”

Ja’el sighed; leave it to Erik to be blunt like that. “I knew it; I never should have come in here.”

“I understand your anxiety – you’re concerned about the day when we finally make love.” Erik almost laughed when Ja’el looked at him like he had two heads, but held it back. “You know it will happen; it’s not a matter of IF but when.”

“Do you plan to force me?” Ja’el asked through gritted teeth. Was Erik reneging on his promises?

“When we make love – you will be completely on board with it. This I promise you.”

Ja’el scoffed, “Well then it’ll never happen.”

Erik retrieved his plastic sword from the ground and shot Ja’el a grin, “We’ll see.”

Ja’el tossed his own sword to the floor before muttering something under his breath as he left the gym in disgust. When would he learn? He’d been a loner for three years; there was no reason to change that now.

~*~

“I’ve got news,” Soiph made herself comfortable in Rais’s office by sitting in front of him on his neatly organized desk. She’d overturned stack of pens but ignored them as they clattered to the floor. What’s more is Rais didn’t seem to the notice the mess she was making. “What’s with you?”

“Hmm? Oh, hey Soiph – report?” Rais asked distantly.

Soiph rose as eyebrow at him. She had led a team of Den guards to scour the city in search of two possible scryers that had shown up a couple days ago. The local authorities had notified all law enforcement of the potential threat. And with the brothel housing the second largest force of armed personnel, Draymond had decided to put them on the case. “Okay, I’ll give my report; then you’ll tell me what the fuck is wrong with you.”

Rais sighed before replying, “Fine.”

“There’s no sign of these scryers, and no other energy signatures have been detected since they opened the portal here. In fact, had we not been able to trace that signature we’d be unsure if they had even arrived at all. The only witness was a local trader who saw them from a distance so his description of them was very brief.”

“So what’s your assessment?”

“Either they are not in the city, or they are here and just laying low for the moment. But if they indeed are here, it could mean trouble and not just from them but the Tolatrians as well.”

“Alright, I’ll find out what Draymond wants to do about it. The Tolatrians had contacted him over a matter in the past of which he cooperated fully. Perhaps he is still in good enough standings with them to find out if they are running an op here.”

“But what if they’re not and we suddenly bring their unwanted attention here?” Soiph asked. “What if these are two rogue scryers that are doing something they should not be?” The Tolatrians normally left trade center planets alone and focused on conquering other civilizations that couldn’t pay them huge profits to stay away. Regardless of what was happening; dealing with the warmongering nation was never preferred.

“I don’t know Soiph, I simply don’t know,” Rais replied with a sigh.

“You know, rumor had it they suffered stellar losses a few years ago,” Soiph began. “But we never learned which nation was responsible, because none ever took the credit.”

“That’s most likely because the battle never took place within this galaxy.” Rais noticed the surprised expression on his second-in-command’s face. “I see you never knew that; but it makes sense. They do have the scryers in their employ who are capable of opening portals.”

“Yes but – to another galaxy?”

“Soiph I’ve learned in this line of work – that anything’s possible.”

Soiph nodded; then as if a light had switched off inside her she changed topics. “So what happened with Chav this time?”

Rais tapped his fingers against the desk before giving Soiph his full attention. “I took your advice – I fucked him.”

Soiph jumped off the desk and began to perform a wacky dance number. “Thank the gods!” She then jumped back on the desk and rubbed her hands together. “Okay so how was it, give me the juicy details!”

“I’d rather not.”

Soiph released a low growl, “Oh Rais you’re so fucking boring.”

“Well things didn’t exactly go as planned,” Rais sighed before spilling the awful truth. “And he said he loved me.”

Soiph pondered what to say next for a moment. “Well you know, whores say that all the time.”

“Please don’t refer to him like that.”

Soiph was genuinely taken aback. “You’re not saying you believe him are you?”

Rais stared at Soiph but said nothing.

“Right, I can see I’m not helping right now.” Soiph jumped off the desk and headed for the door. “I’m going to give you a little alone time.”

“Gee thanks.”

“You’re very welcome,” Soiph winked at him before disappearing through the doors.

~*~

Ja’el heard Erik’s voice as he invited him to dinner over the loudspeaker. He supposed he should have appreciated his bodyguard using that form of communication rather than coming to him in person. It made ignoring him so much easier.

However, it seemed Ja’el had yet to learn his lesson to stay away from Erik. So, he studiously got dressed and headed for the small cafeteria that also housed a dining area. He’d picked a simple scoop-necked gray shirt with black slacks for his attire. Ja’el’s wardrobe was not very elaborate, even as J. Leighton. He let his assets on paper count for what he was worth rather than his appearance.

Ja’el had been sort of annoyed with himself that he’d stopped to check his appearance before leaving his quarters. He had pulled his shoulder-length reddish blond curls back in a pony-tail. A few tendrils escaped to frame his face. He thought he looked okay, but instantly began to kick himself as he realized he now WANTED to look attractive for Erik. He’d sighed and left the room, realizing that if he stuck around any longer he was apt to change his mind about the whole dinner.

Upon arrival, Ja’el found Erik standing by the bar mixing some drinks. The tall man was dressed in a pair of black leather pants and a long-sleeved silk shirt with a V neckline that revealed a large portion of his muscled chest. His raven-colored hair was once again slicked back in that debonair style and black boots completed his attire.

“Welcome,” Erik had finished mixing the drinks and moved to offer Ja’el a glass.

Ja’el accepted the offer and mumbled a ‘thank you.’

“No, thank you for coming here tonight – I know I’m not the easiest person to get along with.” Erik took a sip of his drink but his eyes never left Ja’el’s gorgeous face. “Are you hungry?”

Ja’el actually managed a smile before replying, “Yes.”

“Then let’s eat.” Erik pulled out a chair for Ja’el and waited until he was seated before moving to his seat directly across from the smaller man. There was an assortment of cheeses, bread and fruit laid out before them.

Ja’el snagged a small bunch of red berries and began to chew on them. “We’re past the halfway mark, five days left before we arrive at our destination,” He said between bites.

“Are you anxious to arrive?” Erik asked as he tore a loaf of bread in two and took a bite.

“Yes,” Ja’el replied truthfully. It was very possible his lead would turn cold when he got there; it had been a few years since the person he sought had even been heard from.

“Where is it are we going exactly?”

“Samian.”

“The trade center, the same city where one of those male brothels are located?”

“That’s the one,” Ja’el replied as he took a sip from his drink. Tobkar was just as well known as Samian for the sheer fact that they housed the Cadence Palace and Elite Den whorehouses respectfully. “We will be headed to the Elite Den, for I have to meet with the owner.”

“The person you’re looking for, he doesn’t work there does he?” Erik felt the need to ask. Getting the brothel to release one of their whores would be a sheer impossibility.

“No,” Ja’el pressed his lips together after his response.

“Did he at one point?”

“I don’t know.”

“So, is this person a Talion like yourself?”

The piece of fruit Ja’el had been about to place in his mouth suddenly fell from his fingers to the table forgotten. “You – you knew?”

“Ever since I saw your real face, yes. I’m familiar with many of the races in Andrenon. Your pointed ears and skin-tone were a dead give-away,” Erik replied.

“Then, you also know what happened to us?”

“Your defeat at the hands of the Tolatrians? Yes. Actually I didn’t think there were any of you still alive, but judging by your quest, there’s at least one more. So, what’s his name?”

“I don’t know.” Ja’el brought a napkin to wipe his lips as his appetite was suddenly lost. “I just know where he might have been, three years ago.”

“What happened to the rest of your family?”

Ja’el was silent for a moment as he twisted the napkin between his hands tightly. “They’re dead.”

“You have my condolences.”

Ja’el decided enough was enough; he’d turn this conversation back on his green-eyed companion. “What about you Erik, do you have any family?”

“None that I keep in contact with or care to talk about,” Was Erik’s blunt reply.

“Typical,” Ja’el was not surprised that his bodyguard wasn’t more forthcoming. “So, are you planning to use the knowledge of my heritage to your advantage? Then you also know that the Tolatrians have a price on the heads of any Talion survivors. We tried to defy them; we didn’t simply roll over and die. For that reason, they destroyed our cities and sold whoever survived to the mines. Actually those were the lucky ones, for the captives they took as their personal slaves suffered a far worse fate.”

“But some of you escaped – like the one you seek and yourself.”

“Yes.” Ja’el didn’t feel the need to inform Erik that he hadn’t escaped. The two years he spent in the mines was not something he wished to relay to anyone ever.

“I have nothing to gain from outing you. I’m not exactly on speaking terms with the Tolatrians.” Erik had been unaware of the price on the heads of all surviving Talion’s. He now realized why Ja’el found the AC injector necessary.

“Thank you,” Ja’el replied.

“But I would like to help you with your investigation. I know you think you can do this on your own, but large corporations like that brothel are not going to be easy to deal with,” Erik stated.

“I know what I’m doing – Kisku Draymond will meet with me, that’s all I need.”

“What if he doesn’t have the answers you seek? Then you’ll need to decipher another method to find your missing person.”

Ja’el sighed before rubbing his hand against his cheek. “I just wish the gods had made this a little easier for me.”

“The gods have nothing to do with it.”

Ja’el returned his gaze to Erik’s when he realized the man’s demeanor had suddenly changed. What had caused his companion to suddenly become irritated? “Did I say something wrong?”

“No,” Erik quickly replied. “I just wish you’d let me help you is all.”

“Well you are helping me, by agreeing to be my bodyguard. I simply believe that is all I need from you right now.”

Erik nodded and decided he wouldn’t press him further on the matter. He was actually pleased that the smaller man had opened up to him to an extent. Getting Ja’el in his bed had been on the top of Erik’s list of things to do, but now he did genuinely want to help the younger man. He’d seemingly been through so much in his short life; it was about time something good happened to him.

~*~

Rais sat across from Kisku in the brothel owners’ lavish office after presenting his report on the current scryer situation. All had been quiet since the scryer’s arrival. It gave them pause to wonder if indeed the newcomers were even still in the city.

“I will hold off on contacting the Tolatrians – at least until these scryers make a move. That is if they ever do,” Kisku stated.

“I can’t fathom what would be their reasoning for coming here.” Rais realized that Kisku seemed to barely take notice of his last comment. There was a distant look in the owner’s black eyes. “Sir is everything alright?”

“Hmm?” Kisku returned his attention to Rais. “Oh yes – it’s just that one of my most used whores was recently punished for attacking a client. He was normally completely submissive that he could skip Euphoria treatments. I could face a lawsuit for the attack, but I just don’t understand why Chav did it. It was certainly unlike him.”

“Where is he now?” Rais had to know. His face was a mask of calm although his insides had evolved to turmoil.

“He’s still in the dungeons, apparently his punishment is not yet over.”

The thought of Chav being tortured or worst caused a sudden fear to tighten around Rais’s heart. “I just remembered I need to meet with Commander Shuoy about a matter, are we almost finished here?”

“Yes, you’re dismissed.” Kisku waved his hand at Rais before turning his attention to his computer screen.

Rais managed to walk steadily out of the office but once he hit the halls he broke into a dead run and quickly dashed to the nearest elevator pad. He was almost entirely certain that Chav’s change of attitude had something to do with their intimacy the other night. What in the world had he done? He’d taken a good thing; that was Chav’s docility and ruined it by shattering whatever had kept the boy in such good spirits.

Rais tapped his booted heel impatiently as he waited for the elevator to take him to the basement of the complex where the dungeons were located. He wondered what sort of state the boy would be in; the brothel guards were masters in the trade of torture.

Once he arrived on the correct floor; Rais half walked half ran through the halls. He walked when there were other guards present and ran when he was alone. Finally, he made it to the steaming wide hall that was the central torture chamber.

There were hearths with blazing fires and cauldrons filled with boiling liquids or red-hot coals. Rais had sentenced many a disobedient slave to this place in the past, but he never oversaw the punishments personally. Discipline was necessary and it was an important part of his job description to keep the slaves in check. However, it was never something he enjoyed to witness himself.

Rais passed several cubbies with naked and trembling slaves covered with various cuts and bruises. He once again began to worry about the condition Chav would be in. Finally, when he reached the end of one stack of cubicles he found the slender slave suspended from the ceiling by a pair of iron shackles.

Rais quickly entered the cubby and took Chav’s limp, pale body in his arms. The boy was unconscious; his skin clammy to the touch and marred with ugly red welts that criss-crossed his back; arms and legs. There were several charred black marks on his thighs and Rais recognized them as burns from a branding iron. He lifted Chav’s face with his hands and brushed the damp, limp auburn curls out of the way so he could look at him. There was a dark purple bruise above his right eye and his normally luscious pink lips were chapped and bleeding.

“By the gods, what have they done to you?” Rais quickly removed a key from his shirt pocket and undid the shackles at Chav’s wrists. The tender flesh there was also scraped and bleeding.

“Hey what are you doing? This whore has another day of punishment left,” Came a voice from the cubby entrance.

Rais turned around and glared at the source of the unwelcomed intrusion. He then ignored the man and proceeded to lift Chav in his arms once the boy was free of the shackles.

The guard visibly paled when he recognized who was standing before him. “Captain Dian, my apologies sir, I did not recognize you.”

“Get out of my way,” Rais gruffly ordered.

“Yes sir.” The guard quickly stepped aside, and although he’d had previous orders to continue Chav’s punishment; there was no denying the Captain of the Guard.

Rais held Chav’s limp body to him gently. He was unmindful of the blood stains that were ruining his uniform. The only thing he cared about was getting the boy to a Healing Room post haste. There was a horizontal elevator that lead directly to a healing room located on the dungeon floor. Oftentimes many slaves would be so close to death that if they didn’t get them healed within minutes, they’d end up loosing them. As much as discipline and order were important, killing a slave was unprofitable and was not often done.

The doors to the well lighted chamber hummed open allowing Rais and his precious cargo entrance. Along with vertical glass tubes there were also horizontal versions of the tubes for slaves like Chav who were unconscious when brought here. He laid Chav gently into one such tube and quickly pressed the buttons to seal the tube and begin the healing process.

“Captain, are you there?”

Soiph’s voice filtered towards Rais from the communication device hooked to his belt. He was silent for several moments as he stared at Chav, watching the healing tube make fast work of the boys’ injuries. “What is it Commander?” He finally responded.

“We have a sighting of one of the scryers in the entertainment district, I’m ready to move my men in on your order,” Soiph stated.

Rais knew he should have dropped everything and joined his second-in-command in battle. However, he couldn’t bring himself to leave Chav. “Proceed.”

“Sir?”

Rais could hear the confusion in Soiph’s voice. “You’re already in position, continue. I’ll join you when I can.”

“Yes, Sir – over and out,” Soiph replied.

Rais forced a smile when he saw that Chav had regained consciousness. The boys’ beautiful lavender eyes had fluttered open slowly. He noted the look of fear that filled them when they finally focused on him.

The tube held Chav for another few seconds before it was ready to release the now healed slave back into the world. When the glass chamber opened, he sat up but tore his gaze away from the Captain. Wrapping his hands around his waist he tried but failed to prevent himself from trembling.

“Chav I don’t understand, why did you attack a client?” Rais had to know.

Chav raised tear-filled eyes to the Captain. “Because I knew it was the only way.”

“The only way for what?” Rais was truly confused.

“For me to be punished for displeasing you.” A lone tear spilled down Chav’s cheek as he completed his admission.

Rais balled his hands into a fist before squeezing his eyes closed. “Chav it was all a misunderstanding, you never displeased me.” He returned his gaze to the trembling boy.

“You were upset; I could tell and it was my fault,” Chav insisted.

Rais shook his head and chuckled. “Silly boy; are you calling me a liar?”

“No, I would never do that!” Chav exclaimed. “Please I’m so sorry – I’m so sorry I upset you.” The tears now began to stream down his pale cheeks like a broken dam.

Rais placed a gentle hand on Chav’s cheek and wiped at the river of tears. Before he knew it he was closing the distance between their faces and kissing the boy softly. His crying ceased, which hadn’t been Rais’s intent but he could live with the results.

“I’d like to begin seeing you regularly,” Rais stated.

“Do you mean it?” Chav couldn’t believe his ears.

“Yes; now come on – let’s get you out of here.” Rais lifted Chav out of the tube and placed him on his feet. As they left the room, the only thing on his mind was the welfare of the young slave walking beside him.

~*~

Soiph's entrance in the crowded bar went mostly unnoticed. It was around midday yet the alcohol consumption was lavish as ever. An eyewitness had seen a man with fuchsia colored hair enter the bar. That matched the description of one of the scryers. It could be a coincidence but they still had to at least check it out. Their sensors hadn’t picked up on anything, if a scryer was indeed present he was not using his powers even in the slightest.

Soiph had ordered her contingent of guards to remain outside while she investigated the bar herself. They could remain more inconspicuous that way and wouldn’t alert the patrons or the perpetrator of their mission.

Soiph delegated her search to men wearing hoods. The one she sought had bright pink hair, so he would be easy to spot, but not if he had that hair covered. She found herself forcing eye contact with several men that were wearing hoods. It offered her some unwanted attention by people who thought she was looking for a hook-up. One man grinned at her and grabbed the bulge at his crotch.

Soiph began to think this had all been one big waste of time as she had gone through just about all the hooded patrons in the bar. She was doing one last sweep when suddenly, someone bumped into her from behind. “Watch where you’re going, idiot!” She snapped at the person before turning to face him. Standing behind her was a man wearing a hood; she could see a grin on glistening moist lips but it was the strand of pink hair that was sticking out the side of the hood that tipped her off.

Soiph reacted quickly by pulling off his hood before putting some distance between them and grabbing her phaser. She stared for how long she was unsure at the tall, slender man dressed in a deep purple, hooded robe. His slightly iridescent eyes matched the bright pink color of his hair, one telling characteristic of a scryer. The glossy tresses were kept off his face by a single, silver clip. And she also realized why his lips seemed to glow in the medium light of the bar, he was wearing cosmetics! She was not turned off by his appearance; in fact he was rather pleasing to the eye. His delicate bone structure gave him a sophisticated air.

Soiph didn’t know too much about scryers, except that they were extremely powerful and dangerous. However, this rather effeminate looking man didn’t seem like he could hurt a fly. The Commander was smart enough to realize that looks could be deceiving. If the man standing before her was truly a scryer, then this phaser would do nothing against him.

Soiph holstered her phaser before pulling a short staff from the strap on her back that was reminiscent of a night-stick, except it was cement gray in color. She began to twirl the staff in one hand like a baton and once it began to glow; it created a series of particles that flew in the stranger’s direction. She would capture him and then ask questions later.

Soiph stifled a gasp when the man vanished before her and the particles hit a patron who’d been sitting behind him, quickly encasing him in a prison of light.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Playing with magic you barely understand.”

Soiph felt a chill go down her spine. She knew the scryer had spoken and that he now stood behind her before she even turned to face him. She was about to try the attack again when she was suddenly slammed against a wall. The staff fell from her fingers as she began to claw at the scryer’s single hand that held her in place by the neck. His grip was tight but not suffocating. Soiph didn’t know how long it would remain so.

“Commander!”

Soiph glanced sideways to see when the rest of her men had entered the bar. Most of the current patrons had scrambled under tables and chairs or began to escape through the back doors. She noticed when the scryer raised a palm in the direction of her men.

She realized she had to act quickly.

“Stand down!” Soiph shouted. When she saw her troops hesitation she added, “That’s an order!” The men finally lowered their phasers but did not retreat. She saw when the scryer lowered his hand and returned his attention to her.

“How noble – you just saved the lives of your men,” The pink-haired man grinned.

“Why are you here, scryer? What do you want?” Soiph demanded.

The scryer seemed to pause as if to consider her question. “You know, when you ask so nicely, I’m almost tempted to tell you.” He grinned at her once more before he cocked his head sideways as if listening for something. He then returned his gaze to the woman, “Maybe next time.”

Soiph had been expecting him to vanish once more, yet it didn’t stop the disappointment that overtook her after he did. “Quickly, search the perimeter.” She ordered the men yet she knew it would be futile. The scryer was no doubt long gone.


A.N. Are none of my reviewers of Surrender reading? Some of that stories' characters come to play next chapter, please let me know what you think so far.