Fic: Comes a Horseman 5/7
Dec. 26th, 2007 04:51 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
astri13I hope everybody had a nice Santa with lots of cool prezzies. And since I didn`t get this one in before Christmas, I`m gonna make it a belated in-Christmas-update. Hope you enjoy. :)
Comes a Horseman - Chapter 5
Summary: In the Bronze Age young healer-apprentice Jen is living a life of quietness. Though this may change once Jaret, leader of a barbarian horde, comes riding into his village.
Word count: 6065
Total word count so far 30.557
Previous chapters and full header to be found here
Chapter 5
After a night of tossing and turning - that is until Jaret had put a stop to it by trapping him in a tight embrace - Jen still hadn't come up with anything resembling a plan. But he knew his priority had to be to keep the little ones from being sold tonight. Jaret had announced he'd be taking them away by dusk, and Jen knew that there was no chance of escape until then. The children might be small but trying to sneak away from the camp in plain daylight would be a hopeless endeavour. And while the city wasn't that far and easily reachable by foot, it couldn't be done fast enough to outrun men on horseback. No, their - and his - only hope was the cover of darkness.
He rubbed a hand over his tired eyes, barely suppressing a yawn, thinking about how exhausted he was - and went rigid. Could the answer have been in his possession all along? He knew there was still some of the powder in the medicine bag. Hashid had always kept it well stocked. If he managed to administer it to Jaret's food or drink, Jaret wouldn't be going anywhere tonight. Of course there was the matter of Jaret being mightily suspicious to find he'd apparently forgotten all about his plans and fallen asleep to awake and find his little captives gone. He'd immediately suspect, if not outright punish Jen. But that was assuming the children had escaped, so punishment would be worth it.
Jen shivered at the thought of what Jaret might do to him. For all Chadan's obvious cruelty Jen feared that once Jaret was pushed past his limit, he might prove the far more dangerous of the two. Still, he had to try, just had to. Jaret's own horrifying tale had given Jen ample incentive for that. But more so even with what little Jen actually knew about slavery he did know that the ending Jaret's sister had gotten was the more likely outcome than Jaret's. Early deaths were common among child slaves, especially the really small ones who hadn't been born into slavery and thus couldn't adapt fast enough to satisfy their new masters.
Cursing the fact that he missed the ingredients to make up a different mixture, one that would induce a reaction that might strike Jaret as more natural but would be no less potent to keep him in the camp for the night, Jen resigned himself to working with what he had. Of course there still was the problem of suspicions arising among the riders if Jaret seemingly changes his plans for no good reason. With Jen's luck that weasel Chadan would show up again and demand an explanation. What if he found Jared out cold? What was Jen to do then? Gods, there were just so many hurdles to overcome. For a moment Jen felt defeated before he even began.
No. He would not give up so easily. There were solutions to nearly every problem, one just had to find them. And if Jen didn't look this time, no one else would. He just would have to come up with a compelling reason for why Jaret wouldn't leave his tent that night.
A heavy hand stroked the top of his hand. "So deep in thought, little Jen? Are you plotting some nefarious scheme?" Jaret's joking voice could be heard, driving Jen from his musings.
He just prayed with all his might that he didn't look as stricken as he felt at the moment. Of all the times for Jaret to acquired the ability to read minds, this would be the most unwelcome one.
But Jaret luckily seemed to misjudge Jen's mood because he sighed and withdrew his hand. "I will take you to the children as promised but it would be better if you learned to accept fate.
"Better for who?" Jen asked stubbornly.
"For everybody. Most of all for you," Jaret answered. He surprised Jen by crouching down next to him. "You can't change it and agonizing over that fact will only hurt yourself in the end."
Jen scoffed. "What does it matter to you if I'm hurting?"
Jaret leaned closer so their lips almost touched. "I don't like it," he whispered. Then he leaned forward and with surprising gentleness pressed his lips to Jen's, initiating a sweet kiss.
Frozen in place by the action Jen didn't struggle or tried to push Jaret away. And before his suddenly foggy mind could form a coherent thought Jaret had already released him. It was just so unfair that Jen couldn’t control the way his body reacted to Jaret, especially when Jaret was all-tender like this. Why was it just the opposite of what Jen's conscience demanded of him? How could he even feel attracted to a murderer and slaver? It seemed impossible but the tingling feeling that went down to the tips of his toes in moments such these belied his claims that Jaret elicited no feelings inside him.
"You…you gave me your word not to do…that," Jen finally stuttered out.
Jaret grinned. "No, I didn't. If you care to remember I promised not to use force but didn't agree to not to use seduction."
Jen nibbled on his lower lip. Jaret's words had given him another idea. Or rather brought one up from the darkest recesses of his mind. There would be another way of distracting Jaret. If Jen were to seduce him, Jen was rather confident he could interest Jaret enough to stay the night. Even if he likely recognized it for the distraction it was. Of course come morning Jen would face the same problem in being blamed for escaped prisoners. But so far he saw no way to avoid that - and it was a price he was willing to pay.
He guessed seducing Jaret wouldn't be hard. The much more dangerous question was if it would be a hardship. Jaret still gave him that maddening grin, lips poised as if they planned another attack on Jen's mouth. The idea was not entirely unpleasant and neither was the idea of having those lips touch other parts than just his own lips. Jen had never been able to deny that Jaret looked nice, more than nice really. Gold-tanned skin covering a muscular body, the lines of his face smooth and the brown hair thick and soft.
Jen sometimes wished Jaret were old or fat or covered in boils. At least then Jen wouldn't have to deal with his own body betraying him. Nevertheless there was also fear of the unknown. He had never done anything like that, had never even mated with a woman and all his knowledge right now extended to the vague ideas Jaret's whispered words every now and then on the matter had given him.
Use the weapons you have, Hashid had once said to him when Jen had grumbled about not being allowed to handle actual weapons. 'The kind old man probably hadn't been talking about Jen's body but even Krisian had pointed out the benefits of using it. Granted, not exactly like that but the principle was the same. Only Jen hadn't been ready for anything like it then and he was still not sure he could be now. Laying there, allowing Jaret inside his own body? No, for now he would stick to his original plan and if that failed, well, he would have to rethink strategy. Only first Jen had to manage the small feat of setting an actual escape in motion first. .
"Can we go see the children now?"
Jaret gave a put-upon sigh but nodded. "Later."
The time seemed to crawl until Jaret finally exclaimed he'd be taking Jen to the prisoners. Before they went Jen in a seemingly spur of the moment had asked for permission to take his medicine bag with him in case any of the little ones was in need of treatment. Jaret had given him a half curious, half pitying look at the request but then shrugged. He had jokingly claimed that Jen wasn't likely to poison the prisoners just to spite Jaret after all. Jen had had to bit his tongue to keep from rising to the challenge but he could only imagine that the expression on his face had to have been thunderous. Sometimes it really was as if Jaret was covered in boils.
They walked till finally they stopped at another tent on the edge of their camp. One bored-looking guard stood watch in front of it though he straightened a bit at Jaret's approach. Both struck Jen as promising signs. Even more so was the observation that the other riders blithely ignored both the guard and the tent, probably figuring that a couple of children were too scared to try and make a break for it by themselves. Which could work in Jen’s favour. If he found a way to take out the guard, the children might be lucky enough to flee this very night. And while Jen had never been to a settlement - or city as Jaret called it - he could imagine the children could find numerous hiding places there. Even at night there seemed to be some buzzing activity if the noise and lights were any indication.
Sure, the vague plan starting to form in his head was less than perfect, for one it didn't take the little ones long-term survival into account but right now Jen couldn't worry about that. He just had to make sure they were saved from the immediate threat of being sold.
To his delight Jaret left him alone with the promise to fetch him later – and once Jaret was gone the guard immediately went back to slumping boredly.
Jen carefully entered the tent and immediately found a small form attached to his legs.
"Jen," little Cassandra cried, clinging to him.
Jen tried to pry her off so he could kneel down and embrace her properly but it was no use. She just kept calling his name in between sobs.
Now the other children came closer, joining in the crying and calling out for him. Daria, the oldest of the group with ten summers, touched his arm to draw his attention, fearfully asking after her parents she hadn't seen since the attack.
There was but a tiny glimmer of hope in her eyes. And Jen was loath to take that from her as well. He tried to think of what to say. How to tell her that she was an orphan now. And so were four others of the eight children. It seemed so unfair that the smallest members of the tribe were the ones who'd been struck the most by fate, but Jen figured that their parents might have fought the fiercest to protect their offspring.
Jen knew that all of them had other brothers and sisters still but because according to desert law boys reaching the age of fourteen were considered adults, for girls it could happen even sooner, depending on when they reached child-bearing age. Thus those siblings had been grouped with the other prisoners. It hadn't been any use to even try to argue this point with Jaret. And really, what would it have mattered as everyone was looking to be sold as a slave anyway?
Still, he put a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder. "Daria,--"
"Don't…you don't have to say it," she spoke sharply, wiping her hands over her eyes angrily.
Little Cassandra, still holding on to Jen for dear life, had put her head back and looked between them with wide eyes. "Thank you," she piped up.
Jen stroked over her soft hair. "What for, little one?"
"You kept the mean man from hitting me." She frowned. "But then he hit you. Does it still hurt?"
"No, not anymore."
"He said not to cry. And I tried to stop but I couldn't help it. I miss my mama. Where is she?" The little girl kept on babbling.
Jen gulped. He would have to tell her the same thing he had been about to tell Daria. Only he doubted the smaller child would take it with the same bravery and understanding. "You will see her again, little one. But not for some time."
The child's lower lip trembled. "Why not?"
"She has travelled to the Gods."
That was something everybody in the tribe understood, even the children. It meant nothing else than that a loved one would never come back. Cassandra buried her head in her hands and started crying again. Jen leaned down, helplessly stroking her little back.
"What…what is going to happen to us?" A young boy called Denus asked fearfully. He wringed his little hands and Jen spotted a little cut on his palm.
"You will visit the city. Tonight even. When it's already dark. Won't that be a great adventure?
The children looked doubtful and unsure. Jen sneaked a glance back over his shoulder at the guard who was standing outside. The tent's entrance was open but the man didn't look like he had much interest in listening in, in fact he barely looked like he had much interest in staying awake. He only moved to take a sip from his jug every now and then.
Jen urgently grabbed Daria's shoulder and explained his plan to her as best as he could. He tried to communicate to her how she as the oldest was their leader now and had to make sure they all stayed together and moved quickly - and quietly. She looked wide-eyed and unsure but nodded tentatively as a sign that she understood.
"Will you come with us?" She whispered.
"Not tonight. Maybe later," Jen answered vaguely. "This you will have to do on your own."
Daria nodded her head in the direction of the guard. "Will we be all alone?" She asked pointedly.
Jen almost smiled. Daria possessed a sharp little mind herself. He tried to appear confident when he gave her an answering nod. "Yes but everything will be alright. Don't fear."
Easier said then done of course since Jen still didn't know exactly what to do about the guard. He had brought the medicine bag in case there might be an opportunity to use the same method he planned on with Jaret. That hadn't seemed likely, seeing as Jen wasn't tasked with serving this guard food or water but the way he kept clutching his jug to him gave Jen an idea.
Trying to appear inconspicuous if the guard decided to pay them some attention after all, Jen looked at Denus. "Give me your hand, I will put some herbs on it."
"It's just a scratch." The little boy looked at him curiously.
"Still, better I take a good look at it," Jen spoke with the authority of the tribe's healer, and Denus obediently held out his arm.
Jen rummaged around in his bag for some healing herbs to apply on Denus' hand. Once Jen was done, he put the rest of the herbs back and smiled victoriously as his fingers enclosed the leather pouch. There was only one left in the bag. In it was a powder, Hashid used to make out of a special kind of berries that were rare to find - and poisonous if you ate too many of them. Though in its current form the substance had a much different effect. One Jen could put to good use.
Quickly he opened the pouch and let about half of the powder drop into the palm of his other hand. He just hoped the rest would be enough for Jaret as well. Nifty little Daria meanwhile re-wrapped the little package and stuffed it in the bag again. Jen winked at her near. He leaned forward. "Wait till I'm almost out, then make some noise."
Little Denus nodded enthusiastically. He was always up for some mischief.
With a few last comforting words, Jen said his tearful goodbyes to the children and made to leave, his hands badly shaking as he kept it tightly closed, feeling the fine coarseness of the powder against his palm.
He crept closer and closer to the water jug in the guard's hand. Luckily the children played their part well and just then two of them started wailing after Jen, begging him not to go and thereby drawing the attention of the guard who put the jug aside, rose and made a few menacing steps into the tent.
"Stop that."
Surreptitiously Jen let the powder drop into the jug. Thankfully the mixture mingled with liquid quite fast, leaving no visible traces and hardly affecting the taste. He looked back at the still crying children and caught one's eye, winking at him. Jen quickly winked back. The guard looked back and forth between Jen, still poised at the tent's entrance and the children. His mind apparently wasn't the sharpest because there was no sign he suspected any foul play.
"You." He pointed at Jen. "Go now. And you," That was directed to the children, "be quiet. Your new masters won't like you being noisy either. I can give you all a little taste if you want."
The crying abruptly stopped and the children looked solemn again. Jen wanted to hit the man but if all went well he would be fast asleep soon enough and maybe even get a nice punishment for letting captives escape by dozing off on duty. It would serve him right. To his relief Jen saw the guard grabbing a hold of his apparently beloved jug as soon as he had taken up his position at the tent's entrance again.
He turned fully, making a few steps away from the tent to look up and…froze. Krisian wasn't very far away, looking right at him. Jen didn't know if he'd seen what had just happened but by the look on Krisian's face it was likely.
Tentatively Jen went over to him and the first words out of Krisian's mouth confirmed his worst fears.
"What in the Gods' names are you doing?"
Jen tried to play dumb. "Nothing. I need to go."
Krisian grabbed onto his arm. "What was it? The herbs that make you sleep?"
"No."
"You're a horrid liar, Jen."
Admitting defeat Jen looked worriedly around. Thankfully no one seemed to have overheard them just now.
Krisian seemed to share the sentiment because he dragged them both a few steps away, shaking his head incredulously. "It was, wasn't it? What are you thinking?"
Jen bit his lip, hesitant on how much he should or could divulge to Krisian. If he gave Krisian the benefit of a doubt now and have that trust flung in his face, all would be lost. "I…um…"
Krisian rolled his eyes. "It is obvious you planning some escape here, Jen. But how is one sleeping guard going to help you?
"Why would I tell you that?"
"Maybe because you need all the help you can get," Krisian pointed out.
Jen cocked his head. "Would you help me?"
Krisian sighed. "It's never easy for a man to serve two masters, Jen. But I take no pleasure in the thought of seeing the little ones sold at the markets. So unless you asked me to betray Stavus himself, I'm willing to offer my help."
Biting his lip, Jen tried to weight the situation in his mind. Krisian was right, not going about everything alone would raise his chance of success.
Seeing Jen's hesitance, Krisian's eyes darkened. His mouth became a grim line. "Do you think so little of me now you'd doubt my word? Doesn't our friendship count for anything?"
Jen was torn but decided to take a leap of faith. "Look around, no one is really paying attention to the children," he explained haltingly. "With the guard out of the way, they can flee by nightfall."
"Aren't you forgetting something? They won't be here by nightfall. Jaret is taking them to market soon."
"He won't," Jen promised with a certainty he didn't really feel.
Krisian folded his arms in front of his chest. "Can you tell the future now? How do you know that?"
Jen stubbornly stuck out his upper lip. "I just do."
Realization flashed over Krisian's face. "Please don't tell me you plan to drug him too? That's never going to work. And even if it does, he will know it was you."
Jen rolled his eyes. Like he hadn't thought of that over and over again. His heartbeat would probably never slow to its normal rhythm again and all that because Jaret finding him out was the only thing he could think about. Still, to Krisian he put on a mask of fake confidence. "Just let me deal with that."
Throwing his hands up, Krisian looked looked at him in exasperation. "That's what I'm afraid, Jen. That you will be the one to have to deal with that. What if he changes his mind about you again?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"Don't play me for a fool. Due to some protesting from you-know-whom Jaret has decided to keep you, without you having to use any of your…charms, I presume?"
Jen couldn't help the heat that he felt creeping into his face at the implication.
But Krisian wasn't finished. "You push him enough, you might not like the consequences. And I don't want to have to…" He coughed and stopped himself.
"What?"
Krisian looked uncomfortable with what he had started to reveal. "In case Jaret decided to sell you after all, I had planned on smuggling you out somehow," he explained gruffly.
The words warmed Jen and he smiled despite himself. "Oh. So maybe --"
"Now, don't get ahead of yourself. It was meant to be a last resort, as neither Jaret nor Stavus would look too kindly upon me for doing it. I would only do it for you and only to keep you from being sold into slavery." Krisian looked at Jen with serious eyes, and Jen knew he meant every word.
"But then why are you willing to help me with the children?"
Krisian grimaced. "Because I feel like I still owe the tribe. And there is a tiny chance to manage it without making it obvious I was involved. You on the other hand, even if Jaret has no proof…" He trailed off ominously.
Yes, it kept coming back to the fact that nothing short of a miracle would save Jen from being punished for what he was about to do. He decided the argument was going in circles and leading nowhere. He just needed to know where he stood with Krisian on the matter. "Leave Jaret to me and help me with the children. Will you do this or not?"
Krisian gave a short, barking laugh. "I don't have much of a choice, do I? You will do something foolish regardless."
"You could tell on me right now," Jen challenged.
"And you know I wouldn't do that. So fine, you make sure the children will be in their tent by nightfall and I'll take care of the rest."
Jen scratched his chin in thought. "Maybe I could --"
"No," Krisian held a hand up, effectively shushing him. "You can not be seen to wander around the camp alone, especially if Jaret remains curiously absent." His brows drew together. "In fact, you should make it seem as if he is busy otherwise."
That was the other part that had given Jen trouble. Though he mentally kicked himself for not thinking of it himself. "You mean?"
"Yes, exactly."
While Jen was still innocent in the practice of mating, he did know what kind of "noise" Krisian was talking of. There seemed to be lots of moaning and sighing, sometimes even yelling involved as Jen had overheard from some tents when he was prone to wander the village at night. Well, shouldn't be too hard to recreate it, even if he had to do it for two. And then of course there was the part where he had thought about it being more than just the illusion Krisian proposed. Only that he didn't feel comfortable sharing with his maybe-again-friend yet.
"So we're agreed on how to proceed?" He looked at Krisian.
"Against my better judgement but yes, agreed." Krisian laughed dryly. "You always could get me to do crazy things."
* * *
Later when Jen shared another meal with Jaret before the latter was going to leave for the city, Jen felt like a nervous wreck. His hands were shaking when he offered Jaret a cup of the sweet wine he fancied so much. Only this time unbeknownst to Jaret it held a secret ingredient.
But while Jaret dug into the food with aplomb, he had shown little interest in the wine. A few sips had touched his lips so far and Jen felt almost sick. Would that be enough? It hadn't been a lot of powder as it was. Maybe Jaret would just feel a mild drowsiness from it? Jen wasn't sure and he was breaking out in a cold sweat because of it.
Also more importantly did this mean Jaret suspected something? Had Jen's talk to Krisian been overheard? Or had Krisian sold him out after all?
Jen’s nervousness resulted in him acting clumsy - he had dropped the contents of his plate onto his lap – bringing him close to hysteria. Jaret had already inquired twice if something was up. At first Jen had denied it but then had put it down at his being upset over the children. Maybe if Jaret really believed Jen was resigned to their fate, he wouldn't suspect him of any trickery if the children were gone by morning. And gone they had to be. It was now or never, and Jen needed to believe in the success of his plan.
He tried one more time to offer Jared something from the jug. "The wine not to your liking?" His tone was supposed to be casual but to his own ears ended up sounding desperate.
"It's the same I had yesterday when it was to my liking so why should that have changed?" Jaret pointed out.
Jen laughed nervously. Keep it together, you fool, he admonished himself silently. If Jaret wasn't suspicious now he'd soon be if Jen continued to act like a madman.
Yet Jaret only shrugged. "Better to keep a clear head for the tradings. I never drink much before them."
Jen wanted to scream. Why did Jaret have to be sensible about this when he couldn't be so with the attacks, the killings and the slavery in the first place.
Meanwhile Jaret had emptied his plate and made moves as if to rise. Jen became frantic. He had to act. Something. Anything that prolonged Jaret's stay and give the magics of the powder time to work. If the few sips Jared had taken would work at all. And in all honesty there was only one viable course of action he could see now. "I have…um…thought about it, me staying here," he blurted.
"Really?" To Jen's relief, Jaret resumed his sprawl.
"I think it might not be so bad," Jen glanced at Jaret from lowered lashes to gauge his reaction Jen's apparently sudden change of heart.
"Do you now?"
"Well, you do promise I won't be ill-treated?"
It was only half a question but Jaret inclined his head in a gesture of agreement nonetheless.
"That means you would protect me from your men?"
"Of course."
Time to get closer to his prey. "And yourself?"
Jaret raised an eyebrow. "You think you need protection from me?"
"Well, you don't deny that I…," Jen made an embarrassed gesture, looking for the right words.
"Strike my fancy?" Jaret supplied.
Jen nodded.
Face unreadable, Jaret looked at Jen. "That you do. But I already told you this morning that I wouldn't use force. And I'll keep to my word."
"Yes, about this morning, I think that was your idea of seduction?" Jen pressed on.
"Afraid I'll be successful there, little Jen?"
Sitting up straighter, Jen tucked back a strand of his hair. "No." He did his best to appear confident in that. "But I want to know the terms."
"Terms?"
"Your terms for what you would consider allowed without breaking your word," Jen clarified.
"Oh, I'm sure you would notice the difference between rape and seduction," Jaret drawled, his tone amused.
Jen sighed. Jaret still didn't show any real signs of sudden tiredness and Jen was getting to the end of his rope. Right now he would have rather liked to have some tutelage on seduction as his own attempts - without letting on too much that it was a seduction attempt - proved harder than he'd imagined. He guessed he could just rip off his tunic and scream at Jaret to take him but that would be a dead giveaway if there ever were one. Apparently it didn't matter either way as Jaret's next question proved.
"Your sudden eagerness to discuss this matter wouldn't have anything to do with my plans for this evening, would it?" Jaret's tone was still friendly enough. Obviously he was amused by Jen's clumsy attempts to distract him.
Well, it didn't really matter as long as he just stayed in the cursed tent. "As you said yourself, what does it matter if they are sold tonight or tomorrow?" He asked, playing up the bitterness. "Maybe I wanted to prolong their last precious moments together a bit but I really do want to know how you picture me being your…companion."
"Companion, huh?" Jaret chuckled. "But very well, I guess I could take a few moments to…demonstrate it to you?"
It wasn't really a question and Jen knew Jaret was mocking him but he also knew that he needed to play along regardless. "Demonstrate?"
"Well, you did want to know, didn't you?"
Jen drew his knees up to his chest. "You could also tell me. In words."
"Ah, but I'm not sure I could make myself clear enough. I'm not very good with words. Not like you, little Jen," he winked. Then yawned.
Yes. The harmless little act encouraged Jen greatly. Maybe Jaret had taken in enough of the powder after all. Jen just needed to give it more time. "I don't know…"
"Hm, in that case I should probably leave now. Think of some good words to properly answer your question later."
Grinding his teeth, Jen threw him a dark look. "Fine, you may show me." He raised a suspicious eyebrow. "But no tricks." The irony of his own words wasn't lost on Jen but considering what was at stake and the weak position he was in, trickery was about the only option left.
Jaret grinned. "No tricks." He scooted closer till their bodies were almost touching, his hot breath ghosting over Jen's left cheek. "Well this," now Jaret's lips lightly touched the corner of his mouth, "counts as seduction…while this…" Jen gave an undignified squeak when suddenly he found himself flat on his back with Jaret looming over him, pressing him down "…would probably be considered closer to using force."
Jen gulped. He could feel the evidence of Jaret's excitement at the position. He looked up in Jaret's face, searching for more signs the powder was taking effect. And yes, Jaret's eyes appeared to glaze over slightly but Jen couldn't exactly say if that was a result of the special wine or because of something else.
Now Jaret leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Jen's collarbone, peaking out from the neckline of his tunic. "Seduction."
A rough bite to the spot where neck and shoulder met followed. "Force."
Jen felt Jaret's body loosening up on top of his own. Good. Slackened limbs were a sign that it couldn't be much longer now.
"I think I understand," he whispered.
"But I was only getting started with the lesson," Jaret protested. His hand reached down, touching Jen's bare knee and from there started creeping upwards. Under the hem of Jen's tunic.
Jen felt his skin tingle under the touch and his breathing quickened. Next Jaret's mouth was back again at his neck but this time gently, oh so gently suckling there. He tried to hold himself still and not react to any of it. Yet when Jaret's hand reached his most private parts and those large fingers enclosed him, he could neither help the moan that escaped him nor his traitorous body from arching upwards into the touch.
Neither action went unnoticed by Jaret. "Your mouth always says no to me, but the rest of your body screams yes now."
"I --"
Jen's protest was cut off by Jaret's mouth. His hand was keeping up the stroking motions on Jen's manhood. In reaction Jen felt his insides tighten and his breathing quicken. At least apart from another man not only being present but actually performing in it, this act was familiar to Jen even though the feeling had never been so strong, the need for release so powerful like it was now. He bit his lip to keep from pleading with Jaret. That victory he would not grant the other man.
He looked at Jaret whose eyelids were drooping now. It wouldn't be much longer now until Jaret would lose his hold onto consciousness. As a result his stroking grew slower again before they stilled completely and Jaret's hand fell to the ground uselessly. A tiny, undoubtedly crazy, part of Jen wanted to shake Jaret back to full awakeness. Of all the times for the mixture to take effect! It just had felt so good and Jaret seemed quite talented in this act. These huge paws of his just drove Jen crazy.
Now more and more Jen felt Jaret slacken which also led to the other man's weight resting more fully on Jen's body, a hard manhood poking Jen's upper thigh. Jaret sighed sleepily and started a slight rocking motion that rubbed both their members against each other, the clothing between them providing additional friction. Jen couldn't help but hump himself against the body on top of him. He felt close to bursting at the moment.
"You'll…get'r..wish. M'gonna…stay," Jaret slurred. He rocked once, twice, three times more before Jen felt him shudder and a hot wetness seeped through both their garments.
Unfortunately Jen himself remained painfully hard still while Jaret appeared now dead to the world, slumped right atop Jen. The latter groaned, instinctively keeping up his rocking till he too felt overcome by his release. For a while he lay there gasping for breath and trying to regain his bearings but Jaret proved to be quite heavy and it was starting to cause Jen some serious discomfort. He pushed both hands under Jaret's chest to gain some leverage and attempted to roll the larger man off of him. On the third try Jen finally managed to do so and Jaret came to rest beside him, snoring softly with one arm thrown out haphazardly over Jen's chest.
To be sure Jen hesitantly called Jaret's name but received no answer. He slumped. Now that he had done his part, he could only hope Krisian would do his and the children managed to get away. His heart started beating faster - but now the cause was fear again, not arousal. He listened frantically to the sounds from the outside, fearful of steps nearing the tent and demanding to speak to Jaret. Fearful what the morning would bring.
Thinking of Krisian's advice, he made a few more noise he hoped would be mistaken for two people in the throes of passion. When his ears caught the words …guess he's busy with the pretty whore…, he knew that at least on that front he had been successful. Of course the name hurt, more so now because Jen felt that this time there was some truth in it. No matter his intentions, he had enjoyed what had just happened between them. If and when Jaret wanted a repeat performance, he figured that he would get more than the touch of Jaret's fingers. He didn’t know if the shiver that ran through his body at the thought was due to anticipation or due to fear.
* * *
Chapter 6
Comes a Horseman - Chapter 5
Summary: In the Bronze Age young healer-apprentice Jen is living a life of quietness. Though this may change once Jaret, leader of a barbarian horde, comes riding into his village.
Word count: 6065
Total word count so far 30.557
Previous chapters and full header to be found here
Chapter 5
After a night of tossing and turning - that is until Jaret had put a stop to it by trapping him in a tight embrace - Jen still hadn't come up with anything resembling a plan. But he knew his priority had to be to keep the little ones from being sold tonight. Jaret had announced he'd be taking them away by dusk, and Jen knew that there was no chance of escape until then. The children might be small but trying to sneak away from the camp in plain daylight would be a hopeless endeavour. And while the city wasn't that far and easily reachable by foot, it couldn't be done fast enough to outrun men on horseback. No, their - and his - only hope was the cover of darkness.
He rubbed a hand over his tired eyes, barely suppressing a yawn, thinking about how exhausted he was - and went rigid. Could the answer have been in his possession all along? He knew there was still some of the powder in the medicine bag. Hashid had always kept it well stocked. If he managed to administer it to Jaret's food or drink, Jaret wouldn't be going anywhere tonight. Of course there was the matter of Jaret being mightily suspicious to find he'd apparently forgotten all about his plans and fallen asleep to awake and find his little captives gone. He'd immediately suspect, if not outright punish Jen. But that was assuming the children had escaped, so punishment would be worth it.
Jen shivered at the thought of what Jaret might do to him. For all Chadan's obvious cruelty Jen feared that once Jaret was pushed past his limit, he might prove the far more dangerous of the two. Still, he had to try, just had to. Jaret's own horrifying tale had given Jen ample incentive for that. But more so even with what little Jen actually knew about slavery he did know that the ending Jaret's sister had gotten was the more likely outcome than Jaret's. Early deaths were common among child slaves, especially the really small ones who hadn't been born into slavery and thus couldn't adapt fast enough to satisfy their new masters.
Cursing the fact that he missed the ingredients to make up a different mixture, one that would induce a reaction that might strike Jaret as more natural but would be no less potent to keep him in the camp for the night, Jen resigned himself to working with what he had. Of course there still was the problem of suspicions arising among the riders if Jaret seemingly changes his plans for no good reason. With Jen's luck that weasel Chadan would show up again and demand an explanation. What if he found Jared out cold? What was Jen to do then? Gods, there were just so many hurdles to overcome. For a moment Jen felt defeated before he even began.
No. He would not give up so easily. There were solutions to nearly every problem, one just had to find them. And if Jen didn't look this time, no one else would. He just would have to come up with a compelling reason for why Jaret wouldn't leave his tent that night.
A heavy hand stroked the top of his hand. "So deep in thought, little Jen? Are you plotting some nefarious scheme?" Jaret's joking voice could be heard, driving Jen from his musings.
He just prayed with all his might that he didn't look as stricken as he felt at the moment. Of all the times for Jaret to acquired the ability to read minds, this would be the most unwelcome one.
But Jaret luckily seemed to misjudge Jen's mood because he sighed and withdrew his hand. "I will take you to the children as promised but it would be better if you learned to accept fate.
"Better for who?" Jen asked stubbornly.
"For everybody. Most of all for you," Jaret answered. He surprised Jen by crouching down next to him. "You can't change it and agonizing over that fact will only hurt yourself in the end."
Jen scoffed. "What does it matter to you if I'm hurting?"
Jaret leaned closer so their lips almost touched. "I don't like it," he whispered. Then he leaned forward and with surprising gentleness pressed his lips to Jen's, initiating a sweet kiss.
Frozen in place by the action Jen didn't struggle or tried to push Jaret away. And before his suddenly foggy mind could form a coherent thought Jaret had already released him. It was just so unfair that Jen couldn’t control the way his body reacted to Jaret, especially when Jaret was all-tender like this. Why was it just the opposite of what Jen's conscience demanded of him? How could he even feel attracted to a murderer and slaver? It seemed impossible but the tingling feeling that went down to the tips of his toes in moments such these belied his claims that Jaret elicited no feelings inside him.
"You…you gave me your word not to do…that," Jen finally stuttered out.
Jaret grinned. "No, I didn't. If you care to remember I promised not to use force but didn't agree to not to use seduction."
Jen nibbled on his lower lip. Jaret's words had given him another idea. Or rather brought one up from the darkest recesses of his mind. There would be another way of distracting Jaret. If Jen were to seduce him, Jen was rather confident he could interest Jaret enough to stay the night. Even if he likely recognized it for the distraction it was. Of course come morning Jen would face the same problem in being blamed for escaped prisoners. But so far he saw no way to avoid that - and it was a price he was willing to pay.
He guessed seducing Jaret wouldn't be hard. The much more dangerous question was if it would be a hardship. Jaret still gave him that maddening grin, lips poised as if they planned another attack on Jen's mouth. The idea was not entirely unpleasant and neither was the idea of having those lips touch other parts than just his own lips. Jen had never been able to deny that Jaret looked nice, more than nice really. Gold-tanned skin covering a muscular body, the lines of his face smooth and the brown hair thick and soft.
Jen sometimes wished Jaret were old or fat or covered in boils. At least then Jen wouldn't have to deal with his own body betraying him. Nevertheless there was also fear of the unknown. He had never done anything like that, had never even mated with a woman and all his knowledge right now extended to the vague ideas Jaret's whispered words every now and then on the matter had given him.
Use the weapons you have, Hashid had once said to him when Jen had grumbled about not being allowed to handle actual weapons. 'The kind old man probably hadn't been talking about Jen's body but even Krisian had pointed out the benefits of using it. Granted, not exactly like that but the principle was the same. Only Jen hadn't been ready for anything like it then and he was still not sure he could be now. Laying there, allowing Jaret inside his own body? No, for now he would stick to his original plan and if that failed, well, he would have to rethink strategy. Only first Jen had to manage the small feat of setting an actual escape in motion first. .
"Can we go see the children now?"
Jaret gave a put-upon sigh but nodded. "Later."
The time seemed to crawl until Jaret finally exclaimed he'd be taking Jen to the prisoners. Before they went Jen in a seemingly spur of the moment had asked for permission to take his medicine bag with him in case any of the little ones was in need of treatment. Jaret had given him a half curious, half pitying look at the request but then shrugged. He had jokingly claimed that Jen wasn't likely to poison the prisoners just to spite Jaret after all. Jen had had to bit his tongue to keep from rising to the challenge but he could only imagine that the expression on his face had to have been thunderous. Sometimes it really was as if Jaret was covered in boils.
They walked till finally they stopped at another tent on the edge of their camp. One bored-looking guard stood watch in front of it though he straightened a bit at Jaret's approach. Both struck Jen as promising signs. Even more so was the observation that the other riders blithely ignored both the guard and the tent, probably figuring that a couple of children were too scared to try and make a break for it by themselves. Which could work in Jen’s favour. If he found a way to take out the guard, the children might be lucky enough to flee this very night. And while Jen had never been to a settlement - or city as Jaret called it - he could imagine the children could find numerous hiding places there. Even at night there seemed to be some buzzing activity if the noise and lights were any indication.
Sure, the vague plan starting to form in his head was less than perfect, for one it didn't take the little ones long-term survival into account but right now Jen couldn't worry about that. He just had to make sure they were saved from the immediate threat of being sold.
To his delight Jaret left him alone with the promise to fetch him later – and once Jaret was gone the guard immediately went back to slumping boredly.
Jen carefully entered the tent and immediately found a small form attached to his legs.
"Jen," little Cassandra cried, clinging to him.
Jen tried to pry her off so he could kneel down and embrace her properly but it was no use. She just kept calling his name in between sobs.
Now the other children came closer, joining in the crying and calling out for him. Daria, the oldest of the group with ten summers, touched his arm to draw his attention, fearfully asking after her parents she hadn't seen since the attack.
There was but a tiny glimmer of hope in her eyes. And Jen was loath to take that from her as well. He tried to think of what to say. How to tell her that she was an orphan now. And so were four others of the eight children. It seemed so unfair that the smallest members of the tribe were the ones who'd been struck the most by fate, but Jen figured that their parents might have fought the fiercest to protect their offspring.
Jen knew that all of them had other brothers and sisters still but because according to desert law boys reaching the age of fourteen were considered adults, for girls it could happen even sooner, depending on when they reached child-bearing age. Thus those siblings had been grouped with the other prisoners. It hadn't been any use to even try to argue this point with Jaret. And really, what would it have mattered as everyone was looking to be sold as a slave anyway?
Still, he put a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder. "Daria,--"
"Don't…you don't have to say it," she spoke sharply, wiping her hands over her eyes angrily.
Little Cassandra, still holding on to Jen for dear life, had put her head back and looked between them with wide eyes. "Thank you," she piped up.
Jen stroked over her soft hair. "What for, little one?"
"You kept the mean man from hitting me." She frowned. "But then he hit you. Does it still hurt?"
"No, not anymore."
"He said not to cry. And I tried to stop but I couldn't help it. I miss my mama. Where is she?" The little girl kept on babbling.
Jen gulped. He would have to tell her the same thing he had been about to tell Daria. Only he doubted the smaller child would take it with the same bravery and understanding. "You will see her again, little one. But not for some time."
The child's lower lip trembled. "Why not?"
"She has travelled to the Gods."
That was something everybody in the tribe understood, even the children. It meant nothing else than that a loved one would never come back. Cassandra buried her head in her hands and started crying again. Jen leaned down, helplessly stroking her little back.
"What…what is going to happen to us?" A young boy called Denus asked fearfully. He wringed his little hands and Jen spotted a little cut on his palm.
"You will visit the city. Tonight even. When it's already dark. Won't that be a great adventure?
The children looked doubtful and unsure. Jen sneaked a glance back over his shoulder at the guard who was standing outside. The tent's entrance was open but the man didn't look like he had much interest in listening in, in fact he barely looked like he had much interest in staying awake. He only moved to take a sip from his jug every now and then.
Jen urgently grabbed Daria's shoulder and explained his plan to her as best as he could. He tried to communicate to her how she as the oldest was their leader now and had to make sure they all stayed together and moved quickly - and quietly. She looked wide-eyed and unsure but nodded tentatively as a sign that she understood.
"Will you come with us?" She whispered.
"Not tonight. Maybe later," Jen answered vaguely. "This you will have to do on your own."
Daria nodded her head in the direction of the guard. "Will we be all alone?" She asked pointedly.
Jen almost smiled. Daria possessed a sharp little mind herself. He tried to appear confident when he gave her an answering nod. "Yes but everything will be alright. Don't fear."
Easier said then done of course since Jen still didn't know exactly what to do about the guard. He had brought the medicine bag in case there might be an opportunity to use the same method he planned on with Jaret. That hadn't seemed likely, seeing as Jen wasn't tasked with serving this guard food or water but the way he kept clutching his jug to him gave Jen an idea.
Trying to appear inconspicuous if the guard decided to pay them some attention after all, Jen looked at Denus. "Give me your hand, I will put some herbs on it."
"It's just a scratch." The little boy looked at him curiously.
"Still, better I take a good look at it," Jen spoke with the authority of the tribe's healer, and Denus obediently held out his arm.
Jen rummaged around in his bag for some healing herbs to apply on Denus' hand. Once Jen was done, he put the rest of the herbs back and smiled victoriously as his fingers enclosed the leather pouch. There was only one left in the bag. In it was a powder, Hashid used to make out of a special kind of berries that were rare to find - and poisonous if you ate too many of them. Though in its current form the substance had a much different effect. One Jen could put to good use.
Quickly he opened the pouch and let about half of the powder drop into the palm of his other hand. He just hoped the rest would be enough for Jaret as well. Nifty little Daria meanwhile re-wrapped the little package and stuffed it in the bag again. Jen winked at her near. He leaned forward. "Wait till I'm almost out, then make some noise."
Little Denus nodded enthusiastically. He was always up for some mischief.
With a few last comforting words, Jen said his tearful goodbyes to the children and made to leave, his hands badly shaking as he kept it tightly closed, feeling the fine coarseness of the powder against his palm.
He crept closer and closer to the water jug in the guard's hand. Luckily the children played their part well and just then two of them started wailing after Jen, begging him not to go and thereby drawing the attention of the guard who put the jug aside, rose and made a few menacing steps into the tent.
"Stop that."
Surreptitiously Jen let the powder drop into the jug. Thankfully the mixture mingled with liquid quite fast, leaving no visible traces and hardly affecting the taste. He looked back at the still crying children and caught one's eye, winking at him. Jen quickly winked back. The guard looked back and forth between Jen, still poised at the tent's entrance and the children. His mind apparently wasn't the sharpest because there was no sign he suspected any foul play.
"You." He pointed at Jen. "Go now. And you," That was directed to the children, "be quiet. Your new masters won't like you being noisy either. I can give you all a little taste if you want."
The crying abruptly stopped and the children looked solemn again. Jen wanted to hit the man but if all went well he would be fast asleep soon enough and maybe even get a nice punishment for letting captives escape by dozing off on duty. It would serve him right. To his relief Jen saw the guard grabbing a hold of his apparently beloved jug as soon as he had taken up his position at the tent's entrance again.
He turned fully, making a few steps away from the tent to look up and…froze. Krisian wasn't very far away, looking right at him. Jen didn't know if he'd seen what had just happened but by the look on Krisian's face it was likely.
Tentatively Jen went over to him and the first words out of Krisian's mouth confirmed his worst fears.
"What in the Gods' names are you doing?"
Jen tried to play dumb. "Nothing. I need to go."
Krisian grabbed onto his arm. "What was it? The herbs that make you sleep?"
"No."
"You're a horrid liar, Jen."
Admitting defeat Jen looked worriedly around. Thankfully no one seemed to have overheard them just now.
Krisian seemed to share the sentiment because he dragged them both a few steps away, shaking his head incredulously. "It was, wasn't it? What are you thinking?"
Jen bit his lip, hesitant on how much he should or could divulge to Krisian. If he gave Krisian the benefit of a doubt now and have that trust flung in his face, all would be lost. "I…um…"
Krisian rolled his eyes. "It is obvious you planning some escape here, Jen. But how is one sleeping guard going to help you?
"Why would I tell you that?"
"Maybe because you need all the help you can get," Krisian pointed out.
Jen cocked his head. "Would you help me?"
Krisian sighed. "It's never easy for a man to serve two masters, Jen. But I take no pleasure in the thought of seeing the little ones sold at the markets. So unless you asked me to betray Stavus himself, I'm willing to offer my help."
Biting his lip, Jen tried to weight the situation in his mind. Krisian was right, not going about everything alone would raise his chance of success.
Seeing Jen's hesitance, Krisian's eyes darkened. His mouth became a grim line. "Do you think so little of me now you'd doubt my word? Doesn't our friendship count for anything?"
Jen was torn but decided to take a leap of faith. "Look around, no one is really paying attention to the children," he explained haltingly. "With the guard out of the way, they can flee by nightfall."
"Aren't you forgetting something? They won't be here by nightfall. Jaret is taking them to market soon."
"He won't," Jen promised with a certainty he didn't really feel.
Krisian folded his arms in front of his chest. "Can you tell the future now? How do you know that?"
Jen stubbornly stuck out his upper lip. "I just do."
Realization flashed over Krisian's face. "Please don't tell me you plan to drug him too? That's never going to work. And even if it does, he will know it was you."
Jen rolled his eyes. Like he hadn't thought of that over and over again. His heartbeat would probably never slow to its normal rhythm again and all that because Jaret finding him out was the only thing he could think about. Still, to Krisian he put on a mask of fake confidence. "Just let me deal with that."
Throwing his hands up, Krisian looked looked at him in exasperation. "That's what I'm afraid, Jen. That you will be the one to have to deal with that. What if he changes his mind about you again?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"Don't play me for a fool. Due to some protesting from you-know-whom Jaret has decided to keep you, without you having to use any of your…charms, I presume?"
Jen couldn't help the heat that he felt creeping into his face at the implication.
But Krisian wasn't finished. "You push him enough, you might not like the consequences. And I don't want to have to…" He coughed and stopped himself.
"What?"
Krisian looked uncomfortable with what he had started to reveal. "In case Jaret decided to sell you after all, I had planned on smuggling you out somehow," he explained gruffly.
The words warmed Jen and he smiled despite himself. "Oh. So maybe --"
"Now, don't get ahead of yourself. It was meant to be a last resort, as neither Jaret nor Stavus would look too kindly upon me for doing it. I would only do it for you and only to keep you from being sold into slavery." Krisian looked at Jen with serious eyes, and Jen knew he meant every word.
"But then why are you willing to help me with the children?"
Krisian grimaced. "Because I feel like I still owe the tribe. And there is a tiny chance to manage it without making it obvious I was involved. You on the other hand, even if Jaret has no proof…" He trailed off ominously.
Yes, it kept coming back to the fact that nothing short of a miracle would save Jen from being punished for what he was about to do. He decided the argument was going in circles and leading nowhere. He just needed to know where he stood with Krisian on the matter. "Leave Jaret to me and help me with the children. Will you do this or not?"
Krisian gave a short, barking laugh. "I don't have much of a choice, do I? You will do something foolish regardless."
"You could tell on me right now," Jen challenged.
"And you know I wouldn't do that. So fine, you make sure the children will be in their tent by nightfall and I'll take care of the rest."
Jen scratched his chin in thought. "Maybe I could --"
"No," Krisian held a hand up, effectively shushing him. "You can not be seen to wander around the camp alone, especially if Jaret remains curiously absent." His brows drew together. "In fact, you should make it seem as if he is busy otherwise."
That was the other part that had given Jen trouble. Though he mentally kicked himself for not thinking of it himself. "You mean?"
"Yes, exactly."
While Jen was still innocent in the practice of mating, he did know what kind of "noise" Krisian was talking of. There seemed to be lots of moaning and sighing, sometimes even yelling involved as Jen had overheard from some tents when he was prone to wander the village at night. Well, shouldn't be too hard to recreate it, even if he had to do it for two. And then of course there was the part where he had thought about it being more than just the illusion Krisian proposed. Only that he didn't feel comfortable sharing with his maybe-again-friend yet.
"So we're agreed on how to proceed?" He looked at Krisian.
"Against my better judgement but yes, agreed." Krisian laughed dryly. "You always could get me to do crazy things."
* * *
Later when Jen shared another meal with Jaret before the latter was going to leave for the city, Jen felt like a nervous wreck. His hands were shaking when he offered Jaret a cup of the sweet wine he fancied so much. Only this time unbeknownst to Jaret it held a secret ingredient.
But while Jaret dug into the food with aplomb, he had shown little interest in the wine. A few sips had touched his lips so far and Jen felt almost sick. Would that be enough? It hadn't been a lot of powder as it was. Maybe Jaret would just feel a mild drowsiness from it? Jen wasn't sure and he was breaking out in a cold sweat because of it.
Also more importantly did this mean Jaret suspected something? Had Jen's talk to Krisian been overheard? Or had Krisian sold him out after all?
Jen’s nervousness resulted in him acting clumsy - he had dropped the contents of his plate onto his lap – bringing him close to hysteria. Jaret had already inquired twice if something was up. At first Jen had denied it but then had put it down at his being upset over the children. Maybe if Jaret really believed Jen was resigned to their fate, he wouldn't suspect him of any trickery if the children were gone by morning. And gone they had to be. It was now or never, and Jen needed to believe in the success of his plan.
He tried one more time to offer Jared something from the jug. "The wine not to your liking?" His tone was supposed to be casual but to his own ears ended up sounding desperate.
"It's the same I had yesterday when it was to my liking so why should that have changed?" Jaret pointed out.
Jen laughed nervously. Keep it together, you fool, he admonished himself silently. If Jaret wasn't suspicious now he'd soon be if Jen continued to act like a madman.
Yet Jaret only shrugged. "Better to keep a clear head for the tradings. I never drink much before them."
Jen wanted to scream. Why did Jaret have to be sensible about this when he couldn't be so with the attacks, the killings and the slavery in the first place.
Meanwhile Jaret had emptied his plate and made moves as if to rise. Jen became frantic. He had to act. Something. Anything that prolonged Jaret's stay and give the magics of the powder time to work. If the few sips Jared had taken would work at all. And in all honesty there was only one viable course of action he could see now. "I have…um…thought about it, me staying here," he blurted.
"Really?" To Jen's relief, Jaret resumed his sprawl.
"I think it might not be so bad," Jen glanced at Jaret from lowered lashes to gauge his reaction Jen's apparently sudden change of heart.
"Do you now?"
"Well, you do promise I won't be ill-treated?"
It was only half a question but Jaret inclined his head in a gesture of agreement nonetheless.
"That means you would protect me from your men?"
"Of course."
Time to get closer to his prey. "And yourself?"
Jaret raised an eyebrow. "You think you need protection from me?"
"Well, you don't deny that I…," Jen made an embarrassed gesture, looking for the right words.
"Strike my fancy?" Jaret supplied.
Jen nodded.
Face unreadable, Jaret looked at Jen. "That you do. But I already told you this morning that I wouldn't use force. And I'll keep to my word."
"Yes, about this morning, I think that was your idea of seduction?" Jen pressed on.
"Afraid I'll be successful there, little Jen?"
Sitting up straighter, Jen tucked back a strand of his hair. "No." He did his best to appear confident in that. "But I want to know the terms."
"Terms?"
"Your terms for what you would consider allowed without breaking your word," Jen clarified.
"Oh, I'm sure you would notice the difference between rape and seduction," Jaret drawled, his tone amused.
Jen sighed. Jaret still didn't show any real signs of sudden tiredness and Jen was getting to the end of his rope. Right now he would have rather liked to have some tutelage on seduction as his own attempts - without letting on too much that it was a seduction attempt - proved harder than he'd imagined. He guessed he could just rip off his tunic and scream at Jaret to take him but that would be a dead giveaway if there ever were one. Apparently it didn't matter either way as Jaret's next question proved.
"Your sudden eagerness to discuss this matter wouldn't have anything to do with my plans for this evening, would it?" Jaret's tone was still friendly enough. Obviously he was amused by Jen's clumsy attempts to distract him.
Well, it didn't really matter as long as he just stayed in the cursed tent. "As you said yourself, what does it matter if they are sold tonight or tomorrow?" He asked, playing up the bitterness. "Maybe I wanted to prolong their last precious moments together a bit but I really do want to know how you picture me being your…companion."
"Companion, huh?" Jaret chuckled. "But very well, I guess I could take a few moments to…demonstrate it to you?"
It wasn't really a question and Jen knew Jaret was mocking him but he also knew that he needed to play along regardless. "Demonstrate?"
"Well, you did want to know, didn't you?"
Jen drew his knees up to his chest. "You could also tell me. In words."
"Ah, but I'm not sure I could make myself clear enough. I'm not very good with words. Not like you, little Jen," he winked. Then yawned.
Yes. The harmless little act encouraged Jen greatly. Maybe Jaret had taken in enough of the powder after all. Jen just needed to give it more time. "I don't know…"
"Hm, in that case I should probably leave now. Think of some good words to properly answer your question later."
Grinding his teeth, Jen threw him a dark look. "Fine, you may show me." He raised a suspicious eyebrow. "But no tricks." The irony of his own words wasn't lost on Jen but considering what was at stake and the weak position he was in, trickery was about the only option left.
Jaret grinned. "No tricks." He scooted closer till their bodies were almost touching, his hot breath ghosting over Jen's left cheek. "Well this," now Jaret's lips lightly touched the corner of his mouth, "counts as seduction…while this…" Jen gave an undignified squeak when suddenly he found himself flat on his back with Jaret looming over him, pressing him down "…would probably be considered closer to using force."
Jen gulped. He could feel the evidence of Jaret's excitement at the position. He looked up in Jaret's face, searching for more signs the powder was taking effect. And yes, Jaret's eyes appeared to glaze over slightly but Jen couldn't exactly say if that was a result of the special wine or because of something else.
Now Jaret leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Jen's collarbone, peaking out from the neckline of his tunic. "Seduction."
A rough bite to the spot where neck and shoulder met followed. "Force."
Jen felt Jaret's body loosening up on top of his own. Good. Slackened limbs were a sign that it couldn't be much longer now.
"I think I understand," he whispered.
"But I was only getting started with the lesson," Jaret protested. His hand reached down, touching Jen's bare knee and from there started creeping upwards. Under the hem of Jen's tunic.
Jen felt his skin tingle under the touch and his breathing quickened. Next Jaret's mouth was back again at his neck but this time gently, oh so gently suckling there. He tried to hold himself still and not react to any of it. Yet when Jaret's hand reached his most private parts and those large fingers enclosed him, he could neither help the moan that escaped him nor his traitorous body from arching upwards into the touch.
Neither action went unnoticed by Jaret. "Your mouth always says no to me, but the rest of your body screams yes now."
"I --"
Jen's protest was cut off by Jaret's mouth. His hand was keeping up the stroking motions on Jen's manhood. In reaction Jen felt his insides tighten and his breathing quicken. At least apart from another man not only being present but actually performing in it, this act was familiar to Jen even though the feeling had never been so strong, the need for release so powerful like it was now. He bit his lip to keep from pleading with Jaret. That victory he would not grant the other man.
He looked at Jaret whose eyelids were drooping now. It wouldn't be much longer now until Jaret would lose his hold onto consciousness. As a result his stroking grew slower again before they stilled completely and Jaret's hand fell to the ground uselessly. A tiny, undoubtedly crazy, part of Jen wanted to shake Jaret back to full awakeness. Of all the times for the mixture to take effect! It just had felt so good and Jaret seemed quite talented in this act. These huge paws of his just drove Jen crazy.
Now more and more Jen felt Jaret slacken which also led to the other man's weight resting more fully on Jen's body, a hard manhood poking Jen's upper thigh. Jaret sighed sleepily and started a slight rocking motion that rubbed both their members against each other, the clothing between them providing additional friction. Jen couldn't help but hump himself against the body on top of him. He felt close to bursting at the moment.
"You'll…get'r..wish. M'gonna…stay," Jaret slurred. He rocked once, twice, three times more before Jen felt him shudder and a hot wetness seeped through both their garments.
Unfortunately Jen himself remained painfully hard still while Jaret appeared now dead to the world, slumped right atop Jen. The latter groaned, instinctively keeping up his rocking till he too felt overcome by his release. For a while he lay there gasping for breath and trying to regain his bearings but Jaret proved to be quite heavy and it was starting to cause Jen some serious discomfort. He pushed both hands under Jaret's chest to gain some leverage and attempted to roll the larger man off of him. On the third try Jen finally managed to do so and Jaret came to rest beside him, snoring softly with one arm thrown out haphazardly over Jen's chest.
To be sure Jen hesitantly called Jaret's name but received no answer. He slumped. Now that he had done his part, he could only hope Krisian would do his and the children managed to get away. His heart started beating faster - but now the cause was fear again, not arousal. He listened frantically to the sounds from the outside, fearful of steps nearing the tent and demanding to speak to Jaret. Fearful what the morning would bring.
Thinking of Krisian's advice, he made a few more noise he hoped would be mistaken for two people in the throes of passion. When his ears caught the words …guess he's busy with the pretty whore…, he knew that at least on that front he had been successful. Of course the name hurt, more so now because Jen felt that this time there was some truth in it. No matter his intentions, he had enjoyed what had just happened between them. If and when Jaret wanted a repeat performance, he figured that he would get more than the touch of Jaret's fingers. He didn’t know if the shiver that ran through his body at the thought was due to anticipation or due to fear.
* * *
Chapter 6
