Possession

Selix lay in bed, the decadence of soft silken sheets kissing his naked skin. He stared up into the canopy. He told Rae that Master wouldn’t summon him tonight. The thought brought back that sick hollow feeling to his stomach. He closed his eyes, pulling the sheets closer to his body. Rin, the oldest of the pets at the trainer’s spoke of seductions on quiet warm nights like this. He remembered lying on his pallet with the all the other boys listening attentively to the hot whispered words Rin spoke. Some boys slept and occasionally a bed shifted overtaking the secret words but some of the boys, like himself, lay and listened. Rin spoke of seducing the archery trainer. He spoke of removing the weighted cotton garment from the trainer’s broad shoulders, of the taste of sweat on the large man’s shoulder. He’d described the feel of sweat slicked skin against his own, the passion of their hard members sliding against each other as they embraced in a passionate kiss. The danger of being caught overridden by the need to touch and feel naked flesh against naked flesh as the two stole away to the back supply. Rin recalled the heavy weight pushing him face down against the supply table. He remembered feeling himself becoming aware of his own growing passion as Rin described being filled with hot pulsing flesh and the feeling of the trainer’s weight on his back. He remembered how flushed and hot he felt then but all that, compared to the heat he felt when he kissed Master, paled in comparison.



Selix slid one trembling hand down his stomach, feeling the quivering movements in his stomach at the soft caress. He imagined it was Master’s hand tracing over his parting thighs. In his mind, he replayed their kiss, their paired panting breathes, their bodies hot with passion.



“That isn’t what I want from you.”



The words were like ice water down his spine. His hand snapped up from its gentle caressing. He fought the tears that might ruin his complexion. He curled himself up and thought of ways to please his Master tomorrow deliberately avoiding every task that involved physical contact.



. . .



Darius stared at the end of the first report on Kirotikri. In his hand the official report from Leader Tiananmen who’d taken over the planning of the raid when Darius’s orders changed. Darius received several commendations for the planning of the raid which resulted in record low deaths on both sides of the fighting. The battle reportedly ended quickly with little defiance. Leader Tiananmen didn’t report any trouble following the preexisting plan, which he used regardless of his own greater rank as Leader. The raid went as planned according to this report. He got the distinct feeling the report went through sanitation before being officially released.



The second report lay heavy in his hands, the unofficial private accounts from Commanders Lee and Hien. The report spoke of a vicious battle that didn’t appear in the first report. It described the powerful defiance of the people of Kirotikri and the change of orders from strong but determined discipline to orders to burn villages to the ground in certain areas. What changed from the initial orders? Who made the new orders? Why follow the plan to the tee up to the strategies of attack but then use brutal tactics only in certain villages? Something didn’t add up here.



The third report still haunted his thoughts, the records and accounts of all those captured in Kirotikri. The majority of the children went to farming lands or textile factories. There were no reports of abuse or misuse. They claimed to follow standard regulations with minimal bondage and no violence. A surprising number of the men captured died in the time following the raids most of them dying of ‘heavy labor related injuries’. Then there were the five captured resisters. Two of them still served in heavy labor heavy guarded facilities after suffering severe injuries attempting to escape. One died in a suicide attempt. The Fourth escaped and currently still classified as missing. The fifth, lay in his bed sleeping.



He sighed and made a note to meet with Leader Tiananmen as soon as possible.



He poked his head into the hallway motioning the keeper outside of his door. “Jan.”



A servant nodded at him and came to stand in front of him. “Bring my pet’s morning cloths to my bedroom. He won’t be returning this evening.”



The keeper nodded and moved quickly down the hall.



Darius closed the heavy door and began to unbutton his shirt, heading toward his closet. The sleeping form on his bed, the body stretched out on its stomach spoke of a peace that didn’t exist in its waking moments. The boy’s muscles remained firm and large even through confinement to ever decreasing sizes of quarters. In sleep, the usually tense face relaxed the age of experience fading away and revealing the beauty of youth.



A soft knock on the door led him away from the bed.



“General Vesperian. It’s Rylan, Connor’s groomer.” The obsession man fiddled with the garments in his hands as he stared at the large double doors. His charming smile faded into shock as the half dressed general came to the door. The grin came back in full force this time more genuinely. “I hope that you’re having a pleasant evening, General Vesperian.”



Darius smiled broadening, “Yes thank you.” He put out his hand for the clothing.



The groomer gave him a wink. “I apologize for not preparing him for this evening.”



Darius said nothing, neither confirming nor denying the remark.



“If he needs help dressing, call for me. I’ll have his makeup redone after breakfast. I’ll be sure to have him cleaned and prepared for tomorrow night.” He bowed slightly.



“That won’t be necessary I will be cleaning and preparing him myself.”



“Yes sir.” The surprised and rather embarrassed groomer left the room.



Darius shut the door, surprised to find a rather displeased Connor standing at the edge of the room. There was a brief moment of silence when Darius handed Connor his clothing. “You may go back to bed.” Darius caught Connor’s eyes on his naked chest. “I was just in the middle of changing for the evening.”



“Liar.”



Darius spun around. “Excuse me?”



“You were standing over me half naked. I’m not a heavy sleeper. You people beat that out of me.” Connor snarled.



“I apologize I didn’t realize-“



“Let me make this clear.”



Caught by surprise at the actions Darius found himself shoved up again the nearest wall, arms wrenched back in a familiarly ironic position.



“You aren’t going to lay a finger on me Vesperian.” Connor spoke the words low and in the general’s ear. “I’m willing to play your damn game in public, but you best keep it to that.”



Darius used the leverage of his knee against the wall to send them backwards. They scuffled backward. Connor landed on the floor with an ‘umph’ the air rushing from his lungs. The two wrestling back and forth until Darius lay on top of him. “This isn’t a game Connor. You belong to me. I’m not taking you because I don’t need to rape you to have power over you. You are my slave Connor. Plain and simple. Get used to the idea.” Darius released him. The other man immediately scrambled to his feet.



“You banpo pigs all think the same shit. You can’t own people. You think you can keep me for long. You think that I’ll be here forever and magically become your bitch somewhere in the middle. You’re mistaken. The only reason you get away with any of this shit is because I’m more interested in killing you when I can get away safely than just killing you.” Connor smirked.



“I would watch your mouth if I were you Connor. You are stepping on thin ice. You were so good today don’t ruin it now over silly pride.”



“Silly pride? What the hell would you know about pride, you scum?”



“That’s it Connor. I’ve had enough of this. Be quiet or face the consequences.”



“Oh yes master. Right away.” Connor rolled his eyes. “You think I’m going to behave like that mindless twit at dinner.”



“Connor-“



“Would you like to hear a story Master? How about the real tale of Epheus.”



Darius moved to interject.



“Once there was a great Emperor of Banpo. On the day his first son was born, he called to his servant for his services and was refused because the servant too, had been gifted a son at the same moment the Emperor had. The Emperor was enraged that someone dare give birth to a child at the same time his heir was born and demanded that the baby forever serve his son, as a mean to apologize for the transgression. So it was done, and the boy forever toiled after his master.”



“Connor that is it.” Darius moved to silence the other man.



Connor moved out of reach rounding the table in the middle of the room. “There came the day when the Emperer’s son Orianto came of age and decided to go on a grand journey. He decided to travel to the city of Bilounch. Epheus warned Orianto of the dannngeers,” Connor balanced on low sitting coffee table a moment before hoping down and moving further away “of traveling there at night but Orianto would not listen and eventually the two were beset upon by thieves of a most unsavory nature. They threatened Orianto, and in return for his safety Orianto paid with Epheus’s body.”



Darius lunched.



Connor dodged it smoothly. “Epheus was beaten, his cloths torn to shreds, and still Orianto demanded they travel on. Night dwindled on and Orianto grew hungry even after having spent all his money on drink and women, so he once again called upon his slave. He sold Epheus’s body to earn food. The boy was used again and again to pay for Orianto’s bills and meals.”



Darius struggled with him for a moment before they both set to grappling with each other.



Connor continued. “The next night. Unh” Connor pushed him back only to end up in the same grapple. “Orianto decided they would travel into the woods. Once again Epheus was forced to follow. When Orianto tired, he demanded Epheus carry him. Epheus did so until his feet bled and his legs gave out. Orianto then decided he would not sleep on the ground, but needed a grand bed, so he demanded that Epheus build him one.” Connor let out a grunt as he pushed Darius away, hurrying from his arm range before he was caught.



Darius growled. His face stern. His mind focused on catching and punishing the boy.



“Epheus crawled from bush to bush stripping leaves and brush until everything within 20 meters had been piled into a grand mattress for Orianto. Orianto lay upon this bed and decided he was not warm enough and demanded the rags that Epheus had. Epheus was left cold and naked in the night air. Still Orianto was not satisfied and demanded that Epheus curl at his feet, and stretch out his hair to blanket Orianto, as opposed to use it to cover his own naked and cold body.” Connor jumped onto the bed avoiding Darius lunging attempts to grab him.



Darius cornered him and stood on the bed the two grappling once more.



“Epheus did so. The night grew colder and colder and while Orianto slept, the merciful god Lias came down and drew up the weeping Epheus into his arms. He kissed away his tears and raised him into the sky, wrapping him in a blanket of darkness to keep him warm.” Connor spit the words up at Darius who’d managed to somehow end up on top of the equally strong man. The story became a series of grunts and pushes.



“Go ahead Connor. Finish your story. Tell me all about the banpo trash.” Darius panted.



Connor glared up at him from the stalemate. “There Epheus still sits, his hair spread around him, the reminder of his last great possession ripped from him, his arm pointed to the west as a sign that all those unfortunate to serve the banpo will suffer.” Connor shoved Darius over. “What do you think about that master?”



“And that’s what you think of the great Banpo empire isn’t it?” Darius growled.



“It’s not what I think. It’s what I know. You forget I’ve seen it with my own two eyes.” Connor stared directly into him.



A long moment of silence passed between them.



The reports passed through Darius’s mind along with a million questions.



Darius suddenly released him. Connor sat up immediately.



Rolling off the bed, Darius spoke in a stern tone. “Go to bed, Connor.” He took a deep breath and returned to changing.



“What the hell-“



“We’ll talk about it in the morning. I’m too tired to deal with this at the moment.” Vesperian shucked his pants. “I don’t care what you think about Banpo. Obey me and keep your opinions to yourself in public and I don’t care what you say when it’s the two of us.”



Connor sat there shocked, while Darius changed and returned to the small side room.



. . .



Morning came all too suddenly for Mikhael. After their first kiss, watching Selix all day was tantamount to torture. After feeling the heat of the lithe body and hearing the delightful whimpers and moans the boy let slip from those soft eager lips, he dreaded the escalation. He entered the dining room five minutes early. Surprised to find Selix already sitting at the table, nearly finished with his plate.



“Good-morning, Master. I hope you slept well.” Came the soft welcome.



Something in the way Selix looked at him put Mikhael on edge. “Thank you, Selix. I did. I hope you slept well, also.”



“Yes Master.” The short reply led them into a long silence.



Five minutes after they ceased to talk, Mikhael’s breakfast came. Mikhael looked up at the head server. “Where is my brother this morning?”



The man bowed. “General Vesperian went out to dine with a guest this morning. Connor returned to his room with orders that he was not to leave it until General Vesperian returned.”



Mikhael nodded, growing bitter at his brother’s treatment of his pet. “Thank you.”



“You’re welcome Commander Vesperian.”



Selix ate quickly and silently. Attempting to be as efficient as possible.



“I will be spending the majority of the morning writing letters, Selix. You are free to do as you like.” Mikhael said before taking a bite of his toast.



“Would Master like to dictate as I write? I’m fluent in 7 languages, Master.” Selix said with that same look in his eyes.



Mikhael raised a surprised eyebrow. “Can you?”



Selix nodded. “Yes Master. It was my specialty at the trainer’s.”



“What made you want to study something like languages?” Mikhael asked the question, still pondering what that veiled look over Selix’s usually bright eyes meant.



“I didn’t like not being able to take to all of the other pet’s, Master.”



MIkhael laughed at the admission.



Selix’s head feel back to his plate.



“Very well, Selix. If you can keep up, you can write for me.” Mikhael said hoping to catch one of those bright starry looks again.



“Thank you Master. I’m glad to be of service.” Selix nodded and smiled briefly before turning back to his plate.



“Is something wrong, Selix?” Mikhael asked coldly.



“Nothing Master.” Selix smiled again. “I’m perfectly fine thank you.”



Mikhael nodded his reply, but that empty smile Selix gave him said that the boy lied. He sighed and finished his coffee.