Col and Andri: The Vanna Stallions

Of Swords and Sweat

Col saw their friend Celyn the following day, who had arranged a meeting for him with the head of the Music School, Master Daraou.  

Celyn, now a fifth-year apprentice, was a handsome and cheerful young man with a mop of unruly brown curls. He occasionally met with Col and Andri for evenings of sexual adventures. Just now, as he led Col to the courtyard garden to meet with Master Daraou, he was curious about the young Wanderer’s reasons.

“I hear you’ve graduated from your apprenticeship with Horsemaster Gabrien. Is that all he had to teach you, three years of horsemanship? We bardic apprentices have barely scratched the surface of our craft in seven years.”

Col was accustomed to Celyn’s teasing. “That’s because you are slow to grasp essentials, unlike us Wanderers,” he retorted. “Besides, if I were you, I would not antagonize me if you ever want to taste my cock again or feel it in your a—“ Col promptly stopped speaking as they passed two red-clad priests, who glared at them.

“Seriously, though, Andri needs your support, Celyn. I must convince Master Daraou to let him accompany me on a mission.”

“That will be difficult. The fourth-year apprentices have a special assignment where they must immerse themselves in a regional style of music and study all its forms. Master Daraou won’t grant any exceptions, you know,” said Celyn, frowning.

Col smiled. “I am counting on that fact!”

Sunlight greeted them in the courtyard. Master Daraou sat near a reflecting pool surrounded by beds of herbs sporting early growth. As they approached the stone bench, Col snagged a fragrant leaf from a plant and inhaled its pungent scent.

The Music Master said, “I wish you good health, Assistant Horsemaster. Peppermint is a useful herb, is it not?”

“Certainly, it is useful to treat mild cases of colic in horses, Master Daraou. I trust your own digestive health is in top form?”

Master Daraou never knew when Col was being secretly disrespectful and eyed him with suspicion, but the young man’s demeanour seemed humble enough. “You requested to see me, Col. What can I help you with?”

“Master Gabrien is sending me on a journey to my people to select stallions to breed with the ArMynydd mares. My family will be attending our Spring Gathering, when many Kumpanias get together to exchange goods and ideas, recount our legends and compete in music. I know Andri is to learn a new regional music style this term, and I was wondering if I could bring him a new instrument—a viol or dulcimer—that my people are justly famous for crafting. Also, I can attempt to memorize some traditional musical progressions he can play. I play the viol very poorly, but I could try. I came to ask you for permission and advice, Master Daraou.”

“That’s. . .very thoughtful of you, Col,” said the Master, stroking his grey beard. His typically severe expression, which he adopted when talking to Col, softened. “And how long do you plan to be away?”

“The journey there will be nearly a full Moon; I would plan to stay half that length of time and another Moon to return. I’d be back well before midsummer.”

“I see. There is merit in your suggestion, although how much you would be able to retain and pass on to Andri is questionable. Let me think . . .”

Col put on his most benign and hopeful expression and patiently sat on the opposite bench. Beside him, Celyn, who had not been dismissed, played along.

“I wish I could go, Master,” he said eagerly. “I could help Col choose an instrument for Andri, and I am sure I’d do a much better job memorizing the music and the legends than Col, whose mind is overly focused on horses.”

“Now, Celyn, be gracious to our newly-promoted Assistant Horsemaster. You can’t go, as you have to learn the Three Hundred Laws of Truth this spring and attend the circuit courts afterwards. But perhaps I could spare Andri to go with Col to his people’s Spring Gathering for the assignment. Yes, why not? It would be a much more productive use of Andri’s time. Let me discuss this with some of the other Masters, and I will summon you both when I have an answer.”

*    *    *

When Col and Celyn reached Andri’s chamber, the young bard had returned from voice practice and eagerly awaited them. But when he saw his friends’ serious expressions, he collapsed disconsolately on the bed.

“I knew it wouldn’t work; I should have—“ Then he noticed Celyn was trying hard not to laugh.

“You scoundrels! Quick, tell me!”

Col reached Andri and kissed him resoundingly on the lips. “I think Daraou will let you come with me, but you will have to work hard and present him with results when you return.”

Celyn approached Andri and also kissed him with a certain sensuality. “I suggested I go in your place. I think that’s what swayed him. We should hear back soon.”

“Yes,” said Col. “Celyn was most convincing—just the right blend of eagerness mixed with a moral superiority over a simple horse-boy who couldn’t possibly understand the nuances of his peoples’ music and history.” He grinned wickedly and slapped Celyn non too lightly on the shoulder. “I am proud of you, and I owe you a favour. What’s it to be?”

It was Celyn’s turn to grin as he rubbed his shoulder. “What you were talking about in the corridor when those two priests passed us. Umm, sucking or fucking.”

“What would you like to do or have done to you?” pressed Andri.

“Oh, I don’t know . . .just abuse me!” Celyn gestured dramatically, throwing his arms wide.

“I’m afraid it will have to be fast and dirty. Master Gabrien is expecting me. We are practicing sword-fighting on horseback later.”

Andri was already undressing. “And I have another class soon, but we’ll have time to satisfy each other, I think.”

The three tumbled onto the bed, where Andri had placed an extra coverlet. It did not take long for their youthful cocks to become erect. Col rolled on top of Celyn, rubbing his cock against his, while Andri knelt at their heads, gripping his proud member in his fist.

“I should just jerk off and cum all over your faces,” he said impishly.

In response, Celyn turned his head and opened his mouth, so Andri obligingly pushed his cock into it.

“Yes, suck him, Celyn,” said Col, grinding his cock against his friend’s and feeling the slickness of pre-cum wetting them both.

Celyn moaned around Andri’s cock and opened his legs wide, at which point Col slid his stiff rod smoothly inside Celyn’s ass. He kept it still for a few moments, then pushed further in, knowing Celyn’s capabilities.

“Suck Andri harder; I want to see him cum and watch you swallow!” Col directed.

Celyn obliged. Sensations increased for all three, and the scent of sweat perfumed the air.

Col increased his pace, pumping rapidly in Celyn’s ass while Andri reached down between his friends’ bodies and grasped the pre-cum soaked cock he found there.

Sucking Andri’s cock, and having his own jerked off while being fucked put Celyn over the edge. He moaned with abandon as his cum spread between his and Col’s stomachs.

Feeling the sticky substance coating his hand brought Andri to ejaculation next. He gripped the root of his cock, smearing it with Celyn’s love-juice and feeding it to his friend. “Swallow it. I’m cumming in your mouth!” Then Andri briefly pulled his cock away and continued pumping his ejaculate over Celyn’s face before shoving his still-hard cock back into his friend’s mouth, where he was sucked off completely.

Col was the last to cum, and he came hard, thrusting for all he was worth before the spasms took him.

*    *    *

Three days later, Master Daraou summoned Col and Andri to his chambers. Unlike Horsemaster Gabrien’s apartment, this place was crammed with instruments, musical curios, and scrolls on shelves. Col, who had never been in the Master’s rooms before, stared about himself with frank curiosity until Andri nudged him. He straightened up and tried to look his most serious as Master Daraou entered.

“I have an answer for you,” he said without preamble. “I spoke with your other Masters, Andri, and with Horsemaster Gabrien. You may accompany Col on his journey.”

Moved, Andri knelt on one knee before his Master and kissed his hand. “Oh, Master Daraou! I will strive to be worthy of your trust.”

Master Daraou coughed and gestured for Andri to stand. “Yes, well—realize that your workload will be heavy. You will take your harp and follow my instructions and those of your other teaching Masters. I enjoin on Col to not distract you but to encourage you.”

Col bowed respectfully. “I will be a hard taskmaster. There will be little time for frivolity on this trip.”

Master Daraou gave Col that suspicious look again, then, seeming to remind himself of Col’s new gravitas, said, “I will hold you to your word, Assistant Horsemaster. Now. What of safety? Will guards accompany you?”

“Two Ruithin-trained guards will accompany us for the first stretch of the journey to Redstone Holding, where the Deieros Brotherhood now dwells: the Brotherhood holds allegiance to the Torrent Mountain Redoubt and Citadel. The warrior Geraint will join us there, and he is a formidable fighter. From there, Andri, Geraint, our groom Keven and I press on alone, as my people’s Spring Gathering is limited only to those who belong or are invited. I believe Master Gabrien will vouch for my fighting skills, and Andri has progressed well in unarmed combat lessons.”

“But we know fighting is always a last resort,” Andri hastened to interrupt. “I will also rely on my negotiating skills.”

“And your position in this College. Any who would take on our bardic order and priests would be foolhardy indeed.”

Andri neglected to mention that he had encountered plenty of foolhardy people in his travels with his prior Master, Brynnan Marec Mavrenn, Guardian Nijal and the old Warrior, Geraint. In addition, Andri was still a desirable and handsome youth and thus could present a target to some.

Master Daraou finished with more advice and a pile of study materials for Andri. After their escape, the young singer looked at Col, grinned, and said, “You can take your serious and responsible face off now, lover.”

“Ah! But I am responsible for you, ves’tacha, and I mean to protect you by any and all means. And I’ve got to ask you a question,” said Col as they paused in the hallway.

“Ask away . . .”

“You and I met just after you had been rescued from Redstone Holding, where that evil Lord and Lady ruled, holding you prisoner. Now the Brotherhood have made it their base. How do you feel about going back? Will it bother you?”

Andri took his lover’s hand and squeezed it reassuringly. “No. Brynnan and I faced our monsters a long time ago after he fetched me from Redstone. It’s just a building.”

Ves’tacha, I meant that some of your monsters are still there—you were also captured by the Deieros after you left my family and me,” Col persisted.

“What’s this? You bend your devious wits into getting me to accompany you, then try to dissuade me? It’s no longer a problem, I tell you!”

“Andri, it’s what Horsemaster Gabrien would call ‘weighing the risks.’ I really mean it when I say that I’ll protect you.”

“Dear fool, we will protect each other. As we always do!” Andri leaned forward and kissed Col.

They resumed walking, but they continued holding hands, their minds bound both in the moment and in their memories.

*    *    *

It took several days to organize the logistics of their trip. Gabrien instructed the two highly-skilled Ruithin guards who were to accompany them and the groom Keven, who was tasked with seeing to the small company’s needs and looking after the pack horses and spare mounts.

Col finalized the details with Andri and Gabrien. “We are taking the Eastern route along the High Plateau instead of by the coast,” he said. “That way, we can check on the ArMynydd horse herd and talk to the herders, as you advise, Master Gabrien.”

“Much as I would have liked to see King Cyndyllan if we went by the coastal route, he would have insisted we stay for several days,” said Andri.

“Yes. The King is quite fond of you,” grinned Col, remembering their sexual trysts with the King.

Andri said, “That reminds me. I will be late this evening. Take your time if you and Horsemaster Gabrien have things to do before we leave tomorrow. Don’t rush on my account.”

“We won’t,” replied Col. “We plan to cross swords once more. He has something new to teach me. Isn’t that so, Master Gabrien?”

Gabrien looked sharply at Col, then at Andri. The hint was unmistakable. “Then let us not delay here overlong,” he responded.

*    *    *

Col sweated with exertion as Gabrien pressed his attack. Armed with a broadsword in one hand and dagger in the other, they worked on tactical advantages and counter moves, with Col on a strong-tempered and battle-trained mare and Gabrien on a stallion. The horses were directed to obey despite their different sexes. It took all of Col’s concentration to coordinate his responses effectively.

Finally, they ceased their practice. Both horses were wet with foam on their necks and blowing hard. Col identified with his horse’s plight; he felt the same. Gabrien had worked him severely.

“We will ride up to the higher pasture and cool them off,” Gabrien said.

“Can we take them up to Rhaeadr Ewynnol? I could do with standing under the waterfall,” Col replied.

They made their way up a winding, but well-trodden trail, then branched off on the waterfall track. The high, narrow falls plunged into a treed gully. Dismounting, they allowed their beasts to drink sparingly, removing their saddles before scrubbing them down with twists of dry reeds.

Both men decided to brave the ice-cold falls when the horses were settled. But when Gabrien came to Col as he prepared to strip, the young Assistant Horsemaster felt that acute sense of sexual tension.

Looking into Gabrien’s grey eyes that spoke of his desire, Col responded fervently when the Horsemaster took him in his arms and kissed him deeply. He found their combined scent of sweat and leather intoxicating. Acting on impulse, he dropped to his knees and gently bit the bulge in Gabrien’s leather breeches, pushing against its hardness, and the Horsemaster obligingly unfastened them. His weighty cock sprang out, fully erect and Col swallowed it, tasting the salt and animal musk of Gabrien’s recent exertions.  

Gabrien groaned, absorbed in the ministrations of Col’s skillful tongue before the young man switched to nuzzling and licking his balls. Finally, the Horsemaster pulled Col to his feet, and they hurriedly stripped each other, flinging their clothes and gear to one side, kissing with a lustful urgency.

They tumbled to the grass, pressing their bodies tightly together so that their stiff cocks mashed one into the other. Col sucked the Horsemaster’s nipples, feeling them stiffen into points in their nest of greying hair. Then, driven by need, he licked Gabrien’s sweat-soaked armpits. The Horsemaster seized him and returned the favour. Col shivered as Gabrien’s tongue slicked the silky black hairs under his arms.

“Fuck me, Gabrien,” Col gasped, rolling onto all fours.

The Horsemaster hastened to do just that. He pushed his coned fingers into Col’s ass until he reached the prostate, making the young man cry out. Grasping his pre-cum drenched cock, Gabrien then assaulted the anal rim, his cock thrusting past the initial restriction. He was in.

Col sighed in satisfaction as Gabrien tightly gripped his firm buttocks, pulling his Assistant Horsemaster onto his cock. His deep, slow strokes became faster until he was drilling Col’s ass relentlessly.

They exchanged no words, but their moans and grunts spoke eloquently enough. Col’s body shook with the force of his desire, signalling his surrender to his needs.

Gabrien withdrew and pushed Col onto his back, hoisting a leg in the air as he sought penetration. When he entered that tight portal once more, he uttered one word: ‘Col,’ which contained a wealth of acknowledgement and feeling. It seemed that speaking the magic of Col’s name triggered Gabrien’s release at last, and he shot a copious load of cum into the young man’s ass in seemingly endless spurts.

Gabrien withdrew and rolled off, saying, “Don’t move!” Then he leaned over and licked Col’s balls and cock. As he reached the glans, he wrapped his lips tightly around it, pushing back the foreskin and lightly sucking the sensitive, shapely head.

It was Col’s turn to utter the Horsemaster’s name. ‘Gabrien,’ he whispered.

Gabrien enclosed as much of the cock as he could easily take in, then relaxed his throat muscles to accommodate the entire phallus. As Gabrien worked his head up and down, waves of pleasure began to build in Col, and he knew he was about to cum. As his muscles contracted, he felt the ejaculation happening, the erotic friction almost unbearable as he came, feeling the Horsemaster swallow as he shot his load. Col was transported beyond himself, and he temporarily lost all his bearings as his thoughts were washed away by the ecstasy.

Gabrien gasped and swore pithily as he rested his head in Col’s loins. Then he said, “Perhaps the time away on your journey is necessary. A man could get addicted to this!”

“I know. But I trust you, Master Gabrien. Your self-discipline has inspired my own in all the time I have trained under you.”

“I would not come between you and Andri.”

“You won’t. He is my soul-partner, and our love goes far beyond the sex act.”

Gabrien sat up and sighed. “Come on, let’s go wash. The horses will be well-rested now.”

“Mmm . . .” replied Col lazily. “I wish I could just rest, too. Alright! I’m getting up!”

They entered the stream below the waterfall, braving the cold spray that hit them like shards of ice.

“Good thing we didn’t do this first, Master Gabrien. My balls have gone into hiding!”

Gabrien laughed easily and slapped him on the back.

Col reflected on the difference in the Horsemaster’s attitude with him. Their change in status seemed to have freed up another side of the man—one more open and relaxed. He fully intended to fulfill his mission to the best of his ability. He would not let Gabrien down.

*    *    *

Col sought out Andri in the Gathering Hall, where both students and Masters relaxed. Andri was seated at a table with a few fellow fourth-year apprentices, his face animated with conversation. Entranced, Col watched his lover, noting the distinctive way Andri would toss his blond hair back from his eyes, the tilt of his head when he listened to his friends, his laughter and his knowing smile that caused dimples to appear beneath his high cheekbones.

Then Col lightly touched his mind: ‘Ves’tacha,’ he sent.

Andri turned, and his smile became radiant. “There you are! Come join us. There’s a cup with your name on it here.”

Col readily sat beside Andri as the others made room for him, accepting the cup of ale he was handed. He chatted easily with the others, who appreciated his good nature and his support of their friend.

But Andri sensed an uneasiness beneath Col’s cheerful manner. ‘Problem, my lover?’ he briefly sent.

‘I want to talk to you alone,’ responded Col.

‘Soon as I can,’ Andri sent back.

They stayed a little longer, then made their excuses. Col topped up his cup with ale and gulped it down before leaving; he was still thirsty after the day’s exertions.

When they were in the corridor, Andri asked, “Shall we go to the stables to talk?”

“Not the stables. Let’s go to the courtyard garden.”

Andri looked wonderingly at his lover. Typically, the stables were Col’s safe place. They sought out the stone bench by the reflecting pool in the garden. The scent of herbs surrounded them, and the atmosphere was quiet and peaceful.

“So. Talk to me. How was sword practice?”

“Gabrien worked me hard. It was pretty exhausting. The horses and we got all lathered up, so we took them to the waterfall below the upper pasture.”

“And? Was the water cold?”

“We didn’t get to the water initially. We had really sweaty sex first.”

“I thought you wanted to say farewell to Horsemaster Gabrien like that.”

“Yes, I did. But not quite like that!”

Andri looked puzzled until Col responded, “Oh, by all the Spirits of Fortune! Just let me give it to you mind-to-mind.”

He reached out, laid a hand against Andri’s face, and looked deeply into his eyes.

The sending was powerful. Andri wasn’t aware that his lover’s mind had progressed that far. He stiffened from the shock of the sudden images and sensations, feeling Col’s urgent lust and Gabrien’s response. The arousal washed over him like a riptide at sea, sweeping him along, helpless to prevent it. At the sending’s conclusion, he felt as if Gabrien was sucking his cock, and it triggered an orgasm. Andri gritted his teeth to prevent an outburst and kept himself motionless. Finally, the visions in his mind ended.

Andri took a deep breath and exclaimed, “Gods! That was intense!”

Col just looked at him, awaiting a more detailed response.

“What shall I say? That you two share a powerful attraction? If you are wondering, I’m not jealous.”

“Actually, I wasn’t wondering that. You love me too much to be jealous, as I love you and just wish for your happiness, ves’tacha. But I wonder if it distresses you.”

“I think you are more distressed than I am, my dear wild and untamed lover. So, you had a deeply passionate escapade. I felt your lust and that of Master Gabrien. You two have worked together in close and sometimes dangerous situations for three years. You both have a sexual attraction you did not act upon for all that time. I know that you, me and Gabrien had some rich, sexual feasting the other day, but this afternoon, with just the two of you, there were no inhibitions—no fear of offending me. That was pretty hot, by the way.”

“So you don’t think I failed you or myself somehow?”

“Don’t ask for absolution! It’s not my place to give it to you. It’s yourself you need to give permission to act.”

“I’m afraid I’d do it again if we weren’t going away.”

“Col. Sometimes you are just a rutting stallion. That’s what this is: you are in rut. Exercise it out of yourself, I’d say.”

“I won’t ask you if you mean that,” said Col. “I know you do. Grandmother Eleni told me in no uncertain terms to cleave to you. She hints that something is in store for us when we get to the Spring Gathering.”

“Well, I have seen your Grandmother’s prophecies in action. They scare me because she has real power. But what of your growing awareness? The Gift is in you, also. What do you see for us?”

In response, Col shut his eyes, closing out distractions and freeing his mind. A sense of the time-to-be weighed upon him, attended by a growing certainty. He spoke almost without thinking.

“Something wonderful awaits us. There will be a binding. But another will join our familia. There . . .will also be trouble from an unexpected source that will prolong our journey. It somehow involves the old Warrior, Geraint. I don’t want to see any more. It’s all clouds and mist . . .”

A hand shook his arm roughly. “Come back to me, Col, son of Kyan. Wake up!”

Col opened his eyes. Andri was a reassuring presence beside him. He shuddered, then said, “I wasn’t asleep. My mind just went walkabout. I was in the future, just turning over rocks to see what was under them, so to speak.”

“A charming metaphor; I’m sorry I asked,” said Andri. “Brynnan always professed to hate prophecy, but he told of your coming to me at the College with great accuracy, which made me incredibly joyful and filled me with hope.”

Col took Andri’s hand. “Vestacha, you remind me of the Gift that is you and me, together. Let’s return to our room and get carried away, not by lust, but by love. I want to give you my cum. Tomorrow our journey begins, and you will have me all to yourself.”

“Bater—“ Andri used the Wanderer word. “May it be so.”

*    *    *

To be continued. . .