Time & Reign

Chapter 7

Ketheran and Noku were dressed and walking before the first full rays of sun reached Tengol.
“Master, how long before we reach the forest?” Noku asked.
“The closest point is at the border of Ditel. It is a good thing I had the time to study the library’s maps. There are no guards in the village, it hasn’t been attacked in generations, but there will be people, so we still must be careful.”
Noku froze in his tracks before Ketheran had finished his last sentence.
“What is it Noku?”
“Itins don’t attack Ditel because it’s near the bad part of the forest. Even Itins don’t go in there. A bad thing lives there, master.”
“There is no other way, Noku. It would take us days to reach any other part of the forest, and we don’t have that much time. If we keep moving, we should be able to reach the inn at Ditel just after nightfall.”
Ketheran kept walking. He wasn’t used to leading someone who showed fear instead of moving ahead. He turned, and saw Noku still standing on the path.
“Noku, what ever this thing is that lives in the woods, … I have my sword, my arrows. Both are stronger then any weapons crafted by Itins. You don’t need to worry.”
Noku didn’t look convinced. Ketheran knelt in front of him. “What is it that lives there?”
“There’s lots of things that live there, but the worst is the collector.”
“What is the collector?”
“I’ve never seen him, master, but he flies and has lots of arms, … and he takes things so you can get by.”
“Come on, you can tell me while we walk.” Ketheran said, pushing Noku along. “What does he take? Money? I can give him something in trade.”
“No master, he takes bad things. Eyes, hair, fingers … human parts. He needs them for the forest.”
“What does the forest need with human eyes?”
“I don’t know master, but the collector has friends too. They make Itins split up, then take something from them…”
“All the more reason for you to stop lagging behind.” Ketheran said, becoming annoyed. Noku sensed the tone in his master’s voice, and kept quiet until they reached Ditel, but the fear of entering the forest continued to grow inside of him.

It was late when the first roofs of the village were visible on the horizon. They stopped so Ketheran could give Noku his instructions.
“Keep your hood down always, and don’t look at anyone. Make sure your tale is well hidden. Don’t speak to anyone, even if they ask you something.” Noku nodded. “I shouldn’t have to do much talking anyway. At this time of night, most everyone should be asleep.”
Ketheran was right. The village streets were empty. The only lamp that burned hung outside of the inn. They entered, and Noku stayed close to Ketheran’s side.
“We would like room.” Ketheran said to the innkeeper without looking up from under his cloak.
The innkeeper, a rather old man, took his time walking over to meet them. Ketheran noticed the table of men in the corner had stopped their conversation to look over the strange travelers.
“Yes, yes all the rooms are empty, you can have your pick.” The innkeeper said rummaging through his keys. “Don’t get many travelers out this way. Where are you two fellas from?”
“Bentlock.” Ketheran replied flatly.
“Bentlock, oh yes I know those parts. Looking for land out here maybe?”
“Maybe.” Ketheran answered with the same tone.
“Well its none of my business I suppose.” The innkeeper said handing Ketheran a key. “Go upstairs, and it’s the first door on the left.”
Ketheran took the key. He removed a silver ring and placed it on the counter. “This should pay for the room, and send two plates of whatever they’re eating to our room. Just leave them outside the door.”
The innkeeper picked up the ring. It bore two leaves intertwining around a small black stone. “This will be more then enough, sir. How long are you planning on staying?”
“Just for the night.” Ketheran answered, and they headed upstairs.

The room was small and dark. There was a table and a single chair. The bed was pushed into the corner by the window. Ketheran laid his weapons the table. Noku immediately threw off the heavy cloak, and climbed over to the window.
“Stay away from the window Noku, I don’t want anyone catching a glimpse of you. Of either of us for that matter.” Ketheran said closing the shutters. He then lit the two candles that hung against the walls. Noku sat on the bed rubbing his aching feet.
After a few moments there was a knock on the door. When the sound of footsteps was gone, Ketheran went to the door and brought in the food. He handed a plate to Noku, and sat at the table with the other.
Noku sat on the floor, shoveling the food into his mouth with his hands. He had forgotten his earlier fears from that morning, and was happy. Happy to be away from Targov Hall, happy that Selav was dead and happy to be alone with his master in a safe place. He looked up at Ketheran, who usually laughed at him for his bad table manners, but tonight he sat quietly eating, looking sadly down at the table.
“Master, are you scared to go into the forest?” Noku asked.
“No.” Ketheran said, a mouth full of potatoes.
“Master, do you hate me because we had to leave?”
“I’m used to traveling. My time at Targov Hall was the longest I’ve ever been in one place really. I was beginning to like it though, … seeing the same faces every day. Remembering them, having them remember you. But I don’t hate you Noku. I just wasn’t meant to stay there.”
Noku went back to eating, when suddenly an idea popped into his head. “Master, maybe instead of going through the forest we could stay with your family. I’m sure they wouldn’t tell and …”
“I don’t have any family.” Ketheran interrupted. Noku was surprised. He had thought for sure that a man Ketheran’s age would at least have children. He hesitated to ask, but was no longer afraid that Ketheran would hurt him.
“No children?”
“None.” Ketheran finished eating, and placed the empty plate back outside of the door. He undressed completely and lay on the bed. Noku looked up from the floor at Ketheran. His soft brown eyes looked more distant and sad then they had ever before, and he knew that he had asked the wrong question. Noku crawled into bed next to his master. Ketheran untied Noku’s long black hair, and re-braided it tighter.
“Noku, if I was rough with you when I first took you, especially that night with your tail, ... it’s because I didn’t know. You weren’t my first, … but I’ve spent all of my life in the guard. I’ve had no time for love with another human woman or man. I had spent too much time on battlefields with men like Selav.”
This was the first time that Ketheran had shown any of his true emotions to Noku, and he wanted to turn and embrace his master, but he knew that he was still a pet to him, Ketheran was still his master. They were both silent until Ketheran had finished with Noku’s hair.
“Master, last night, when you didn’t take me, is it because of what Master Selav did? Am I disgusting to you now?”
“I thought you might still be hurt from what he did.”
“I’m not hurt anymore master.” Noku lay on his back and opened his legs. Ketheran looked down at him, and for the first time in several days, smiled.
Ketheran slid a finger into Noku, and gently moved it in and out. “Are you sure I’m not hurting you?”
“No master, it feels good.” Noku sighed.
Ketheran slowly pushed himself into Noku’s opening. He closed his eyes and pressed his hips down so that his stomach rubbed up against Noku, stimulating him as he pumped in and out. Noku moaned and pressed his chin into Ketheran’s shoulder. He had missed the feeling of his master’s warm body, surrounding him and inside of him. He noticed the smell of his dark hair as it brushed against his face, and slight scratching that Ketheran’s rough cheek made against his neck. Noku ran his fingers along the thick vein that ran down his master’s bicep all the way to his hand. He had never been aware of these things before, or aware that he was beginning to love Ketheran. Noku spilled his hot essence between both of their bodies when Ketheran buried himself deep inside and released.
Ketheran removed his softening member from Noku, and got up to put out the candles. Noku watched his master as he walked across the room. He was lucky. Ketheran was big, and still a strong warrior. He would protect him in the forest.
They both quickly feel asleep, Noku buried in Ketheran’s arms.