Brynnan: The Alsar Imperative

The Burning Star

Shahin walked into the Prince’s personal garden. The morning felt fresh and beautiful, and the scent of flowers permeated the air. The boy tossed his golden hair back and flexed his limbs, stretching like a cat.

He felt content after having spent a night of love with Jehanadir. Their fucking had been intense and raw at first, as the Prince had been on fire after watching his young lover dance: he had taken Shahin from behind, gripping the boy’s round ass and pounding into him, but the second time had been gentle and sensual. Afterwards, Shahin fell asleep in Jehanadir’s arms. Re-living the memories made him smile.

The quietness lulled him. He was unconcerned: although he had slipped into the garden without telling his guards, they were nearby. He stopped and plucked a peach-coloured bloom from a bush, its heady scent drawing him.

“Young man!” A feminine voice hailed him. “Please wait for me; don’t go—“ The dulcet tones sounded gentle and pleading.

Shahin whipped around, dropping the flower. A woman stood nearby, her arm held out beseechingly. She was lovely to look at, with hip-length corn gold hair twisted into thin braids. The young dancer recognized her—the Senarican woman, Lady Alessa!

Shahin didn’t wait. “Guards!” he called, then turned and ran. Something whipped past his shoulder, and he instinctively dove to the ground, coming up in a roll. The boy didn’t look behind him: to pause could be a fatal mistake. As he reached the shelter of the stone portico, his four guards rushed out, ranging around him protectively.

“Behind me,” Shahin gasped. “She has weapons, I think. She threw something . . .”

Three of the guards ran down the path, swords drawn. The Prince’s boy was glad they wore protective vests.

The remaining guard positioned himself behind Shahin and said, “Walk on, young sir, and quickly!”

“I’m so sorry, Merren, I should have stayed with you, but I couldn’t resist seeing the garden.”

“Well, it’s our fault for not coming to you sooner. It would be more than my life’s worth if something happened to you. Our Prince will tear a strip off all of us as it is.”

They turned into the main corridor leading to Jehanadir’s residence. Two other guards joined them. Then they were at the door. Just as they were entering, the Diviner, Dronnadh, greeted them.

“Shahin! I sensed danger. Thank the Mother-of-All, you are unharmed.”

“Just my pride is hurt. I disobeyed my Lord and did not stay close to my guards.”

“Let us go see him,” Dronnadh replied.

*    *    *

Jehanadir sat in the outer reception room. His expression gave away nothing as  Shahin recounted events. The Prince’s violet eyes only narrowed as he listened, his long, blood-red hair partially covering his face when he bowed his head in thought.

“Who was she?” he asked.

Dronnadh answered. “It is the woman from Senarica, Lady Alessa. I feel a disturbance, but the guards have taken her. Any moment now—“

The door opened, and a guard entered. “We have caught the intruder, my Prince. What would you have us do?”

“Bring her to the audience chamber. Have her wrists secured and search her for weapons,” Jehanadir ordered.

*    *    *

A small group gathered in the audience chamber. Dronnadh had alerted Nijal by mind touch, who then summoned Brynnan, the Warlord, Azander and Geraint.

When guards brought in the intruder and a female attendant, all eyes focused on her. She looked beautiful and harmless. Her wrists had been fastened to a chain around her waist.

Alessa’s eyes locked beseechingly on the Prince. “Why have you restrained me? What harm have I done?”

But Jehanadir, instead of answering, asked the guards, “Has she been searched?”

“Yes, my Prince. We found nothing.”

Jehanadir sighed. “Did you search her hair?”

“Ah, no—you can see it is just braided, without ornaments.”

Jehanadir’s expression darkened. “Yes, I see that. Did you search her braids?”

The chief guard flushed and bowed his head. Then he told the woman attendant, “You heard our Prince, Madame Ausari. Please check her hair.”

“Wait!” Jehanadir said. “Undo each braid, and be very careful.”

Madame Ausari complied, even as Lady Alessa’s face displayed a flash of anger. A guard started to speak, but Jehanadir silenced him with a raised hand.

They waited. Lady Alessa’s unbound hair spread like a golden web in the sunbeams. As the fourth braid loosened, something flashed and fell from her hair, striking the floor with a faint sound. Madame Ausari stooped to pick it up.

“Do not touch it!” Dronnadh warned. “Let the guards.”

Merren, the guard who had escorted Shahin to the Prince, took the object in his gloved hands and brought it to the Prince. It was a long, sharp pin. Jehanadir paled and shut his eyes.

Brynnan, watching, immediately understood. The Prince was once blinded by his evil uncle, who tried to usurp his power. The man had raped Shahin and sexually abused the Prince. Under the pretext of desire, Jehanadir had slept with his uncle and then killed him with a long, sharp pin pushed into his heart. The Prince had concealed it in his hair.

Shahin, who had been present at the killing, uttered a cry of distress.

“Now, my Lady. Explain yourself. You have just this one chance to be truthful.” Jehanadir’s tone was icy.

Lady Alessa fell to her knees. “Be merciful, great Prince! I took a walk from my quarters and lost my way. Then I smelled flowers and discovered a beautiful garden. I saw yonder young man walking there and hailed him. I merely wanted to compliment him on last night’s dance. I meant no harm, but he called the guards and ran from me. I tossed a pebble at his shoulder to gain his attention. Then the guards came.”

“And the pin?”

“Again, I swear I mean no harm. The pin is merely an item commonly worn by Senarican noblewomen to defend their virtue in dire straits. I gave no thought to it.

Jehanadir turned to his boy. “Shahin?”

“I do not know what she threw at me. I thought it was a weapon. But I disobeyed your direct order, and I deserve punishment.”

“We’ll speak of that later. But at least you reacted correctly.” Then he turned to Merren. “Have the guards search about the path again.”

Nijal reached out to Merren. “Give me the pin.”

Merren looked to the Prince and, seeing no objection, complied.

Holding the offending object, Nijal ran a finger down its shank. Then he licked it. There was an outcry from the guards, but the Prince’s friends, knowing the Alsar surgeon’s capabilities, were silent.

Nijal closed his eyes, and his body stilled as he metabolized the substance. But a few moments later, he seemed to become aware again. He pronounced his conclusion: “It is poisoned with a paralytic that, in small doses, renders the victim immobile. In stronger concentrations, it paralyzes the lungs, and the victim suffocates.”

Lady Alessa cried out, panic in her eyes. “It is not meant to kill, Lords! Merely rend an attacker helpless. Again, it is a common practice and had no bearing on my meeting the young man! Please believe me!”

The Warlord interrupted her. “Lady, whatever you state, we cannot ignore the potential for harm.”

“I agree with Lord Samir,” said Jehanadir. Then he addressed his guards. “Take her to a secure cell while we investigate this matter further. Have the rest of her braids unbound and look for more pins. Watch her constantly lest she seeks to harm herself.”

He looked at the Lady, who knelt all in disarray, a tear trickling down her cheek. When Jehanadir spoke, his tone was implacable.

“We can take no chances. Messengers will be sent to your husband. In the meantime, attempt no further action. Pleas for mercy will not help you.”

Lady Alessa was escorted out.

*    *    *

The Prince declared a short break to their discussion while the garden was searched. He took Shahin with him and also Brynnan, with the Warlord’s permission.

They arrived at Jehanadir’s bed chamber. As the Prince sat, his shoulders sagged, and he put his head in his hands. “So close . . .” he whispered. “Young fool, you could have lost your life.”

Shahin dropped to one knee before his lover, placing his head in the Prince’s lap. “I’ve displeased you, and it grieves me so.”

“Yes, you have. What can I do to reinforce this lesson?” He looked at the Bard. “Brynnan, you know more of death than any man living. Will you impress on Shahin the consequences of his actions?”

“Do you understand where I must take him? I would never want to hurt him.”

“He would have been hurt far more this morning if he hadn’t run. I believe the Lady planned him serious harm.”

They undressed, and Brynnan took Shahin to bed. The boy was pale, and Brynnan comforted him. “It won’t be so bad. I will take your spirit through the Shadow-ways when you reach a climax. Take courage: you and I have travelled those paths once before. Now, lie back and let us arouse you.”

He kissed Shahin on the mouth, and the young dancer responded, twisting his tongue around the Bard’s. Brynnan delighted in the taste and feel of the boy’s lips. He stroked the youthful, firm flesh and smooth chest.

Shahin sighed and relaxed into the Bard’s embrace. Then Jehanadir joined in and kissed his boy while Brynnan worked his way down the dancer’s lithe, toned body until he reached the loins. He lapped his tongue over Shahin’s cock, and moved to his testicles, kissing and sucking them. The boy’s growing erection swelled to an impressive size for such a youth. His golden pubes were lightly feathered around the base of his cock, and blended into his sun-kissed skin colour.

Brynnan swallowed the cock to its root, making Shahin moan in pleasure while the Prince sucked his lover’s nipples. Jehanadir’s blood-red hair fanned out over the boy’s chest, sensuously tickling it. Shahin squirmed beneath the two men’s attention.

When the youth was fully hard, Brynnan returned to kiss him again while his hand lingered to massage the boy’s rigid member. Meanwhile, Jehanadir slid down until he could take Brynnan’s already-stiff cock in his mouth. He moved his head up and down, sucking it thoroughly before switching to his young lover’s, with Brynnan feeding the head of Shahin’s cock into Jehanadir’s mouth. Thus the Prince alternated between sucking both cocks.

“He’s ready,” Brynnan said. “I‘ll take him now.”

Jehanadir took the bottle of lubricating lotion from the bedside and applied it, not only to Brynnan and Shahin but to himself also, dripping the fluid over their asses and cocks, and massaging it in. Then Shahin, lying on his back, raised his legs as Brynnan mounted him. He briefly played with the boy’s testicles and then pressed his cock against the rosebud.

As the Bard entered his rectal chute, Shahin cried out aloud, drowning in a sensual sea,  submitting eagerly to the Brynnan’s purposeful thrusts. The Prince lay close, masturbating himself while jerking Shahin’s cock with his other hand.

Brynnan, despite his serious goal, revelled in the feel of plunging into the young, tight ass. He felt his arousal building to a height and knew Shahin felt the same. He cupped the back of the boy’s neck, pulling him forward, while he reached down and assaulted his fresh mouth. As tongue and cock penetrated the youth, he sensed Shahin’s impending climax, which triggered his own.

He engaged his mind, sending thoughts and images to the boy. ‘We are cumming now. Surrender totally to me and give me your trust. Let go . . .”

Shahin uttered a long, drawn-out moan as his cum surged out between their bodies. Brynnan felt the hot, slippery fluid on his abdomen as his own cum pumped into the boy’s rectal passage. He felt the rising of his spirit, freed by the act, and seized on Shahin’s.

Abruptly, the Shadow-ways surrounded them like a dark forest with countless branching trails. Their spirits assumed bodily forms as a silver mist swirled around them. Brynnan led the boy by the hand, unerringly choosing a route to a well-known, but grim destination. A tall, arched portal stood before them, Brynnan’s mind’s interpretation of an opening to another realm.

Shahin’s sending fluttered like a trapped bird. ‘What is this terrifying place? I have a sense of doom; I don’t want to enter.’

‘Nor should you; you are still alive. This is the Dread Portal, which leads to the Desert of Souls. Watch . . .’

As their spirit forms hovered before it, the Portal slowly opened, and a cold wind poured through it, engulfing them. Before Brynnan and Shahin spread a sparse woodland of silver-trunked trees, and through the trees, the desert began. Shimmering sands stretched to a limitless horizon under the twilight sky. Brynnan felt the pull like a tidal urge to cross the threshold.

‘This is where the dead go. I have led many souls here and have even crossed it once, myself.’

‘It is terrible! But it draws me. Brynnan, don’t let go of me.’

‘I won’t. Besides, only the dead can enter. You have a full life ahead of you if you take care. But eventually, you will find yourself here again.’

‘What happens to the souls?’

‘It is forbidden to speak freely of it, but I will tell you this much: when they enter, all their memories of life in the Material Realm flow away from them. But come now: we must return.’

‘Yes, please take me from here.’

Brynnan pulled Shahin’s spirit back. The silver mists surrounded them in a disorienting whirlpool. They came to in a tangle of limbs, Jehanadir lying with them, sharing his body’s warmth.

Shahin opened his eyes and looked at his Prince. “I was in a terrible place. The horror of death surrounded me, but Brynnan was with me and kept me safe. I saw—I saw—“

“Shh, don’t try and describe it.” Jehanadir kissed Shahin tenderly on the cheek.

“My Lord, I will never disobey you again! I don’t want to die—at least not for a long, long time. I don’t want to forget all I was and how I loved you.” Tears trickled down his face.

Brynnan said, “For the soul, it’s not such a terrible thing, and for some, there’s a rebirth of spirit. But, yes. Exercise sound judgment, make good choices, and listen to your inner voice, especially when it cautions you against your conscious mind’s inclinations. Last night, I met another young man who made a poor choice and did not listen to his instincts.”

Brynnan related the previous night’s events when he rescued Eirik from Lord Vieri and Adelchis. He told them in detail how he heard words indicating a plot.

“Eirik’s uncle, Jorge, confirmed what I suspected. We shelter them both, and I will bring them to you at your command, Prince. This morning, Kambiz sent guards to arrest Adelchis, but he seems to have disappeared, making him more dangerous. But I will find him; if not me, then my Father, the Dread Huntsman, will track him with his hounds.”

Brynnan hugged Shahin tighter, saying, “So you see, young man. We know of two possible trained assassins—Lady Alessa and Adelchis, Lord Vieri’s bodyguard. It’s even more important that you obey instructions.”

“Is there some way I can better guard him?” Jehanadir asked.

“What if we assign an Alsar Guardian to Shahin? Nijal and Dronnadh both have special responsibilities, but I am beginning to think Azander might be a good choice. He is powerful and guarded me well last night when my spirit travelled.”

“I’ll consult Dronnadh,” Jehanadir answered thoughtfully. “He must be informed of all that’s happened. Surely he will see the pattern developing with his Diviner’s skills. Now let us bathe and dress. My guards must have searched the garden by now. I wonder if they will find Lady Alessa’s “pebble” that she claimed to have thrown?”

*    *    *

Dronnadh accompanied the guards on their search for a weapon in the garden. He used his knowledge of the Patterns to calculate the probable trajectory of a thrown object from Lady Alessa’s position. Drawing closer, he smelled something at odds with the flower scents: a faint metallic odour. Then he saw a thin wisp of white smoke.

Below a bush was a small, star-shaped disc with an oily sheen. “Merren, do you have a leather pouch?”

“No, Diviner, but I have a water flask. Will that do?”

“Yes. You have gloves. Place this thing in your flask, in the water.”

“What is it? It’s misshapen but looks like a throwing star!”

“It’s made of an alkali metal that burns in air. The action is delayed as this one is coated. When the coating degrades, the disc destroys itself. I have seldom seen one—the art of making them is lost. It’s an advanced weapon of an assassin.”

Merren said, “The Prince must know of this at once.”

*    *    *

“You cannot know my wife threw a weapon at your boy!” protested Lord Vieri. “She is incapable of such behaviour. She is a refined and gentle soul.”

The Lord faced a group of accusers in the audience chamber; the Prince and Lord Saamir, Brynnan, Nijal, Dronnadh, Geraint and Azander. Vieri looked from face to face, seeking one who might support him, but their gazes were like stone.

“Shall we present witnesses?” said the Prince.

“Yes. Prove it was she that used a throwing star!”

“Oh, we can prove that, and more besides.”

Jehanadir called on Merren and the other guards. He recounted the finding of the star.

“That does not prove that Alessa used it—”

“Oh, I’m afraid it does. Your wife admitted she threw something: a pebble, she claimed,” said Dronnadh. “I searched where it would have landed and found the star. It was already destroying itself. The metal burns in the air, so it had to have been thrown shortly before. There is no one else who could have done it.”

Nijal adressed Vieri next. “Your wife had a pin concealed in her hair, its tip coated with poison. She claimed it was to defend her virtue. Either she does not trust your own courtiers, or she commits the offence of discourtesy in assuming our people would molest her. She was alone with Shahin bearing two deadly weapons. We believe your wife is a trained assassin.”

“That’s preposterous!” sputtered the Senarican Lord.

“We will not ignore the risk to Shahin’s life. She will not be released,” said Jehanadir. Then he switched tactics abruptly. “Where is your bodyguard, Adelchis? Or should I say—your assassin?”

“You have no proof! Besides, he has left. I sent him back to our city with messages from me.” Vieri was now visibly sweating.

“Oh, we have proof, alright. Jehanadir turned to Brynnan. “Bring in your hunter and his nephew.”

Through a side door came Jorge and Eirik.

Vieri stared coldly at the hunter’s nephew. “Is this how you repay me?”

“Yes, this is how I repay you for planning to let Adelchis kill me. I have told the Prince and these gentlemen what transpired last night. ‘We cannot have a body here,’ you said as Adelchis attempted to throttle the life out of me.”

“I saved your life, Eirik. It was merely sexual play that was a little too rough for your liking!” Vieri protested.

Jorge stepped forward. “Now, don’t deny Adelchis is an assassin. I have known of him for years.”

Lord Vieri stared at Jorge with new eyes, “What is this, old man?”

“I agree with my nephew. Your Lady told him he was no longer useful. You planned to have us both killed.”

Jehanadir seemed to come to a decision. “You are no longer welcome here. We have heard of more evidence against you. I will grant you this mercy: that you quit our Principality with your entourage tomorrow. My warriors will escort you part way. They will outnumber you, and any attempts on your part to do harm will merit the slaughter of your own guards. I don’t know how guilty your nobles are, but they have my permission to leave.”

“And my wife, Lady Alessa?”

“She stays here and will be judged by us,” declared Jehanadir, “Her alternative is to submit to a mind search by these Alsar. It is not a pleasant experience, but we will find out every plot and connection with others she knows. Nothing will be concealed. After that, she may be released unless she damns herself—and perhaps you. Which do you choose for her? To remain here or to be subjected to the search?”

Vieri looked trapped. His eyes darted around the chamber as if seeking escape. Finally, he spoke.

“I could not bear the harm her mind would endure in such a barbarous search. Let her stay, but when we reach Senarica, we will negotiate for her safe release. Let her be your hostage for now.”

Lord Samir addressed Vieri. “The Red Prince is too kind. Lady Alessa would be put to death in Torrent Mountain for her transgressions. I warn you to accept the Prince’s mercy and leave quietly. And if Adelchis is found near here, he will be killed.”

Lord Vieri looked like he had more to say as he was escorted out, but he prudently kept his mouth shut.

When they were alone, Jehanadir said. “I don’t want to waste my time thinking about the Senaricans: let them go, and we will settle the whole affair diplomatically, negotiating with their council. We have other things to discuss. The threat to Mavrenn, for one. Dronnadh, do you still perceive a threat to her?”

“Not only that, but a threat to yourself is gathering, O Prince. They have not finished their moves,” replied the Diviner.

“Is it safe for us to ascend Mount Narib and Brynnan and myself to travel to the spirit world?

“It is indeed in the Pattern, but you must take great care. The Alsar who arrived yesterday will guard you upon the summit in the Divination place. I also see a role for yonder hunter, Jorge—he must accompany us.”

“If you feel it necessary, my Seer. We shall comply. Our journey will start in two more days.”

“Will you leave me behind, as you usually do for the Spring Rite?” asked Shahin, his eyes wide in apprehension.

“No, my lover: you will travel with us, but Azander shall stay by your side at all times,” Jehanadir said.

“I give you my total obedience, my Prince,” said Shahin, bowing his head.

*    *    *

Samir closed the chamber door and barred it. “Alone with you, at last, my heart’s love. I have seldom seen you in the past few days.”

Brynnan walked towards his lover, shedding his clothing. Samir took him in his arms.

“Let us love each other,” the Bard said, “Before further interruption comes our way.”

They kissed for some time, wrapped in a close embrace. “Go to the bed,” Samir commanded. “Strip off everything.”

Brynnan readily obeyed. Then he watched the Warlord remove his leathers, revealing his powerfully muscled body. His stallion-sized cock stood out proudly, already erect, and Brynnan devoured it with his eyes.

“Come closer, my heart’s love. Do to me as you wish.”

Samir stood at the side of the bed as Brynan, lying prone upon the linens, took the head of Samir’s cock in his mouth, sucking, kissing and licking it. The Warlord stroked his lover’s head. Brynnan licked his way down the thick shaft, and when he reached the root, he rolled on his back. Samir leaned over his face, positioning his full, firm ball sack above Brynnan’s mouth. Brynnan worshiped it, licking and sucking at the bulging testicles. The man-scent of musk and light sweat filled his nostrils, and he inhaled deeply. The balls tasted fresh, with a hint of salt.

The Warlord allowed Brynnan to continue before lying down over his lover’s body, positioning his mouth over Brynnan’s penis. He sucked it skillfully to engorgement, and the firm meat filled his mouth. He moved his head back and forth just as he felt Brynnan doing the same to himself. Seriously aroused as they sucked each other, his huge cock dripping copious amounts of pre-cum, Samir turned around to cover the Bards body, mashing their cocks together, grinding his loins over Brynnan’s.

The Bard’s own flood of pre-cum lubricated the skin of their members, and they fucked each other, rubbing their hard cocks together in a frenzied motion. Then Brynnan opened his legs and raised his hips, and without delay, the Warlord sunk his entire shaft into the Bard’s love-chute.

Brynnan cried out wordlessly as the Warlord’s cock made serious friction on his prostate. Samir began to pound him hard as Brynnan raised a leg to his lover’s shoulder. The Warlord gripped the Bard’s hips tightly, pulling him deeper onto his rigid shaft.

“Cum now, my lover,” Samir commanded.

“Yes, Lord.

Their minds flowed into one another’s as Brynnan’s thick cum jetted over his chest, spilling pearly ropes like rain streaking a glass window pane. In that unique realm of the mind, Brynnan felt his lover ejaculate into his ass. A roaring wind of lust and surrender filled them, and they clasped each other tightly, their tongues melding in a deep kiss.

Sometime later, Brynnan roused himself, realizing he had fallen asleep under his lover’s body. Samir awakened with him, and they gazed wordlessly into each other’s eyes.

“You are dear to me, my heart’s love,” Samir whispered.

“And I love you with all my heart, dearest Lord.”

“All of it?”

“Well . . .I save a piece for my Father, and Geraint and Nijal—not to mention my horse, Rhiannon—”

Samir bit him.

*    *    *

To be continued . . .

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