Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 10:11:55 +1100 (EST)
From: Haleth <seraphtear@yahoo.com.au>
Subject: "Elf's New Slave" 'Part 4'

	Warren balanced the tray in one hand as he opened the door to the
small cabin with the other. He finally managed to get it without spilling
any of the food on the tray and without making too much noise. He walked
into the small room, closing the door behind himself with his foot. He set
the tray down on the low table before inspecting the occupant of the
room. It had been a week since the ship had set sail and the elf was
showing no signs of improvement. His skin had been a beautiful light golden
colour when he had boarded the ship, but it was now dull and slightly
grey. He was worried, having never known of an elf travelling on a ship
before, could they survive?
	Vali made a weak mumbling sound in his sleep and shifted
slightly. Warren ran a hand through the short hair, still amazed that
something which looked like heavy silver could be so soft and light. It
really was a shame they only had three months before the elf would be
presented to his new owner. Because William had a particular fetish for
long hair, and the elf's hair would be absolutely glorious long, but it
would only reach his shoulders by the time they got to Brantilay. And long
hair would make pulling this off easier, not that he didn't look like a
young woman anyway, well, except for being flat-chested, but many woman in
Brantilay were like that. Small was all the fashion at the moment, thin and
fragile was the only way to be appealing, apparently. He had even heard of
women wrapping bandages tightly around their breasts to try and make them
'disappear'.
	He would never understand the nobles' obsessions with fashion but
then he didn't have to. All he had to do was bring back a female elf for
William's collection of ornamental bimbos. Of course he hadn't been given
long enough as neither of them had known that all elves were nobles
themselves, and so finding one who happened to be a slave was next to
impossible. He had actually been surprised he had managed to get one at
all, and he figured it would be easy enough to hide the fact he was a
he. Vali was to be just an ornament after all. They would just put him in
dresses and no one would know the difference. He wasn't sure about the
tattoos though, especially the one on his face. It was finely done but it
was such a strong symbol. If it was some flowers, or maybe a bird, but a
dragon? But then perhaps William would like it, it did add to the elf's
exotic appeal.
	He was brought back to his surroundings as he heard another sleepy
noise. He touched the elf's shoulder carefully. "Vali. Wake up." The elf
didn't stir at his words so he shook his shoulder softly until the large
storm-grey eyes fluttered open. He smiled and pulled his hand back, happy
that the elf's eyes looked clearer than they had in days. "How do you
feel?"
	"Like I'm dying." The elf told him miserably before trying to sit
up, but his head only got a couple of inches off the pillow before he
slumped back down. "You said a week... it's been a week and I still feel
awful." He complained weakly, not bothering to try and move again.
	"Yes, well, I think you are over the seasickness, but you haven't
eaten anything for a long time and so your body needs to recover from
that." The middle-aged human glanced at the tray of food he had
brought. "Do you think you can eat something?" Vali looked at him for a
long moment before letting out a tired sigh.
	"I suppose so."
	Warren leaned over the sick elf and slipped his arms under him
lifting Vali with surprising ease. He had never actually tried to carry the
elf before so he had no idea how impossibly light he was. It was like
carrying a small child, except for the size, for though Vali was thin and
delicate he was taller than Warren had imagined elves to be, almost six
feet tall, which would be another problem with passing him off as a
woman. He set Vali down on the table next to the tray, as there was no
other furniture in the room. Vali seemed to find enough strength to stay
sitting and he looked at the bowl of plain rice sceptically.
	"What is it?" He questioned, turning his gaze to the human.
	"You don't have rice in your country?" Warren was incredulous. How
could the 'great' elven lands not have such an important food growing on
them?
	"If that maggoty looking stuff is rice, then no we don't have it in
my country." Vali answered eyeing the food distastefully. "Where does it
come from?" He picked the bowl up and a spoon and poked at it
gingerly. Warren couldn't help laughing, the elf was so adorable in his
naivety.
	"It is a plant, Vali, a cooked plant. It won't jump out at you."
	"Oh." The elf blushed and turned his gaze down to the strange food,
after a moment more of contemplation he put a spoonful in his mouth and
chewed it gingerly. Once he had swallowed he put the bowl back down on the
tray carefully. "I'm not really hungry."
	"But you have to eat something, you won't get better if you don't."
Warren told him with a concerned frown. The elf really had gotten too thin,
he was almost skin and bones.
	"I can't eat that. It tastes strange and I think I'll vomit it all
back up if you make me eat it." The elf told him perfectly
seriously. Warren had to cough slightly to cover his light laugh, the elf
was too adorable for his own good. He knelt in front of the table and
uncovered another bowl of food. There were two nicely cooked fish fillets
in the bowl and he held it out to the elf.
	"Do you have fish in your country?" He asked with a smile as the
elf took the bowl from his hand.
	"You know it's very mean to make fun of people when they are sick."
The elf told him, inadvertently eliciting another laugh from the human. He
glared at him for a moment before starting to carefully pick at the
fish. To Warren's relief he eventually ate all the fish and even some more
of the rice. But afterwards he could barely stay sitting and he moved him
back to his hammock, stroking some hair away from the pretty face as the
elf drifted back off to sleep. He smiled and cleared up the dishes, leaving
quietly. The elf would be fine.


	Vali breathed in deeply of the cool night air, glad that the wind
was gentle enough for Warren to let him on deck. When the human had first
restricted his time outside he had thought he didn't want him out when the
wind was high because he might fall overboard, but the real reason was he
didn't want Vali's hair or skin ruined by the harsh salty winds. Warren
also seemed to think the sun was bad for him, so he hadn't been out in the
daytime for two months. He hadn't minded staying in the small cabin at
first because he had been learning the humans' strange language, but now he
could speak it fluently and with barely an accent, so he was bored. He
would have given anything for his sword and a few things to kill, they
could even be goblins, he didn't care.
	"Hello, pretty one." He turned from where he had been staring at
the waves and saw one of the few sailors who spoke elven standing looking
at him with a friendly grin on his rugged face. "It's a nice night."
	"If you say so." The elf replied in Brantilan, glad for the
opportunity to practice the new language with someone other than
Warren. The sailor looked stunned for a moment, he then smiled and looked
the elf over in amazement.
	"You learnt it so quickly?"
	"Yes, it wasn't really very hard. Your language is actually very
similar to the common language of the human slaves in my homeland."
	"Ah, and how is it you know the language of human slaves?" The
sailor questioned, giving the elf a nasty look, obviously thinking Vali
meant human slaves were pathetic and beneath him.
	"My mother, a human slave, taught it to me." He replied, smiling
smugly as the sailor looked rather embarrassed.
	"I'm sorry, I had heard elves thought humans were as socially high
as dogs."
	"Oh they do. But I'm a half-breed, which is very different."
	"So you are only a half-elf." The sailor commented thoughtfully,
rubbing the stubble on his chin in contemplation. "You look like a full elf
to me. You have the pointy ears, big eyes and silver hair."
	"And you look like a big dumb oaf, but it doesn't mean you are."
	The sailor laughed and started walking off but before he went below
deck he called out over his shoulder. "See you later, pretty one!"
	Vali sighed and turned back to the dark ocean and night sky. He
wondered what his owner was like. Warren wouldn't say much about him, all
the human would tell him was that it was very important he pretend to be a
woman. It seemed very stupid to him but he would just have to go along with
it until he could figure a way out of this whole mess. He tried to clear
his mind of other thoughts, but like he always did, he ended up thinking of
Brandon. He wondered if the High Lord would come looking for him, would he
even realise he was gone?
	He smiled softly as he pictured the elegant elf in his mind. He
would get to Brantilay and his master would be horrible and nasty but then
Brandon would come and save him. He would slay the evil human and take Vali
back to Sentanii. Brandon would apologise for being so insensitive and he
would forget about Reanna and having children, and he would spend the next
century with him. And they would be so happy.
	He gave a quiet bitter laugh, that would never happen. The most
likely scenario was that Brandon hadn't even thought of him after he had
left. That he was happy with his wife and he would never give Vali a second
thought. No, if he was going to get out of this mess, he would have to do
it himself. There was no one to rescue him.


	Ertican was a very happy man. He was rather intoxicated and he had
procured a whore for later on in the evening. He had gotten a nice room in
an expensive inn and was assured a bed free of bugs. Yes Ertican was a very
happy man. That was until he walked into his room and found a copper-haired
elf sitting lazily on his bed, and when he turned to flee the room he found
a huge scarred warrior filling the doorway. Now Ertican was a very unhappy
and extremely scared man.
	Large hands locked around his shoulders and he was pushed further
into the room, the door closing ominously in the almost silent room. He was
spun to face the elf, the giant keeping a strong grip on his
shoulders. Tristian stood and sauntered over to him, his evil and
completely sadistic smirk in place on his deceptively angelic face. He
reached out one slender gloved hand and caressed the slaver's cheek.
	"You obviously learnt nothing from our last encounter." He sighed
in mock sadness and moved his hand idly down to Ertican's neck. "But I am
willing to give you a choice despite your stupidity, but only because I
having better things to do with my time." He began undoing the buttons on
the slaver's shirt, barely pausing in his speech. "You know of my
reputation, you have experienced some things from me before. So you will
know what a gift it is that I am offering to skip all that, since in the
end you will tell me what I want. So, dear Ertican, where is Vali?"
	"Brantilay!" He all but squeaked out in response. "I sold him to
some rich noble's assistant. He was going to take him back to his master as
an ornamental slave. I swear that's all I know! I didn't even ask the guy's
name!"
	"I hope you are telling the truth, because I don't want to have to
resurrect you later." Tristian said with a dismissive wave of his hand
before taking a couple of steps backwards. Ertican had barely enough time
to register the words before he felt the hands leave his shoulders and
clasp the sides of his head. He opened his mouth, vaguely thinking of
screaming but all that came out was a gush of brains as his skull was
crushed in a mere second by the giant hands.


	The elf rested his chin on his folded arms, which rested on the
ship's rail. He gazed out at the calm waters glad to be out of the stuffy
cabin, and to be able to breath in fresh ocean air. The past week he had
spent in his small room, sick and trying to cling to anything he could so
he didn't end up too battered. He had never thought a storm could be that
bad or last that long. On the worst night Warren even had one of the
sailors, the only one who would talk to him, come and stay with him, to
hold him and keep him from too much damage.
	He was at once glad there was only two weeks of the journey left,
and at the same time terrified. What if Warren had lied to him? What if his
new master would expect certain things from him? If so he would surely find
out about him being a him. And then what? Would he be angered and kill him?
Or worse, send him to a mine or slave brothel?
	He was brought out of his thoughts as he noticed movement off in
the distance. It looked a bit like a fish swimming near the surface. Vali
then realised with a start that whatever it was, it was huge. He turned and
quickly scanned the deck for humans. The large sailor he knew was standing
over near the other side of the large ship and was talking to one of his
fellow sailors. He thought about calling out to him but he wasn't sure what
to call out. It was all because the Brantilans had this stupid
superstition. While the ship was at sea they weren't allowed to exchange
names, which meant he had no idea what anyone but Warren's name was. He
couldn't believe these humans could be so ridiculous.
	The sailor finally glanced his way and the elf waved, indicating to
him to come over. The large human hesitated a moment, then said a finally
word to his companion before walking over. When he reached the elf he
leaned on the rail and questioned, a bit irritated. "What is it, pretty
one?"
	"There's something out there." Vali answered pointing off to where
the large creature was moving just under the surface. The human peered off
in the direction he had indicated for a long moment. He then shrugged and
turned back to the elf.
	"I don't see anything."
	"There is something there, and it's big." Vali insisted, a bit
annoyed that the human couldn't see what was clearly there. Was the man
pretending not to see just to annoy him?
	He looked at the elf a moment longer before sighing and calling out
to the lookout. The lookout shifted in his tower and pulled out a
telescope, scanning the waters in the direction the creature was in. He
appeared to find something and he called back to the large sailor, just one
word.
	"Makara? What's that?" The elf questioned confused, and looking
back to see the creature was coming closer.
	"A sea serpent, pretty one." The human replied, gazing out at the
dark waters, still looking for the creature. "You have very good eyes. How
is it you can see further at night, than I can see in full light?"
	"It's coming towards us." Vali said a bit fearfully, ignoring the
man's question. "Will it attack the ship?"
	"Don't worry, pretty one, this crew have handled more than one
Makara." He then walked away from the elf, rallying the other sailors on
deck. Vali then watched in fascination as they brought out some massive,
crossbow-like contraptions, with spears mounted on them. They also brought
out a large net and spread it on the deck, ready to throw it over the
side. Then to his dismay he saw Warren come up on deck, his brown hair
seeming even darker in the moonlight. He walked straight over to Vali and
took his hand, leading him back to the cabin.
	"But I wanted to see them kill the serpent." The young elf
complained, trying to resist the man's insistent tugging. "I've never seen
one before, and it may be my only chance."
	"Don't be stupid, lass. Now come along."
	"I'm not a lass!" Vali exclaimed angrily and pulled his hand out of
the older man's grasp. "And I'm going to watch them kill it." He then
turned and started to head back, but a strong hand wrapped around his
ponytail pulling him backwards. He stumbled through the door and landed on
his bum on the floor of his small room. Warren had released his hair and
now slammed the door closed before glaring down at the insolent elf.
	"I didn't spend so much of my master's money, and spend so much of
my time teaching you my language and keeping you perfect, for you to get
yourself eaten by some stupid sea creature. And I know you are not a lass,
but you had better start getting used to people calling you that. Unless
you want to be sold to a less 'noble' master?" Through his whole speech the
human kept his voice perfectly calm and collected, but Vali could see the
anger and annoyance burning in his hazel eyes. Vali broke from the furious
gaze and looked at his hands where they lay in his lap. He turned them
over, trying to forget about his situation by puzzling over how pale his
skin looked. It would take months to get a descent tan back... Not that he
would ever get the chance now. He suspected he would have to stay out of
the sun in Brantilay as well.
	"Vali?"
	He looked up again to see Warren's expression had changed to one of
concern. The human crouched down in front of him and looked at him
questioningly.
	"I'll never have sex again, will I?" The second after he asked the
question, Vali wondered what on earth had possessed him to think about that
now, not that he regretted asking it. In fact, he looked at Warren,
patiently waiting for the human to get over his shock at such a blunt
question and give him an answer.
	"Well... no one must find out your true gender, and so I suppose,
no. You will most likely not...again." Warren said very carefully, a
strange redness coming to his dark-skinned cheeks.
	Vali shifted to lean his back against the wall and he laughed
bitterly for a moment. "I finally break up with my over-possessive
boyfriend and I end up in a situation where I can't even have it with one
person anymore. It's so goddamn ironic. My life sucks."
	"Your boyfriend? You like men?"
	Vali smiled slyly, recognising the sudden gleam in the human's eyes
for what it was. "Yes, Warren." He answered, adding a slight purr to his
name and shifting to crawl towards the stunned human. He moved right up
next to him and whispered in his ear, his lips brushing the
caramel-coloured skin. "Do you want to have sex with me?"
	"Yes." He answered instantly and made a grab for the slender elf,
but Vali slipped away from him easily, standing smoothly.
	"Then let me watch them catch the serpent and I'll let you do
whatever you want with me."
	"You little rat!" Warren exclaimed, angry again as he stood
also. "You will stay right here." He commanded then left the room, and a
moment later Vali heard the lock click into place.
	He sighed and sat back on the floor. "It's not fair." He pulled his
legs to his chest and rested his forehead on his knees, feeling tears
stinging his eyes again. He couldn't believe he was back to this
again. Just another good lay. He had had plenty of time to think lately and
he had come to realise he couldn't even be sure that he had really loved
Brandon. Perhaps he had just been in love with the fact someone actually
wanted him for more than one night of passion. And then the High Lord had
given him his own room in the castle, and had made him his possession. It
had been so wonderful just to have one person care and it was something he
had never had before. And now it was gone. And it was all his fault.
	He shouldn't have run off, he shouldn't have reacted like that. He
should have just been grateful that Brandon had been so good to him. He had
expected way too much. He should have realised that he was already being
given far more than he deserved. He didn't blame Brandon for not wanting
him anymore, he wasn't worth the hassle.
	He was so wrapped up in his thoughts he hadn't heard the door open
and close, nor the footsteps. So he was startled when he felt a gentle hand
on his shoulder. He lifted his head wearily and looked up to see the large
sailor from before kneeling in front of him.
	"What's wrong, pretty one?" He asked with a look of concern on his
face. "If it's about seeing the serpent, we killed it and its on deck now,
if you want to come have a look?"
	"No, thanks." Vali sniffled and wiped his eyes on his sleeve before
trying to give the sailor a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, you can go back to
whatever it is you were doing."
	The human shook his head sadly and shifted to sit next to the
silently crying elf. He wrapped a large arm around the slender shoulders,
pulling the elf into a comforting embrace. "What is wrong?"
	"You're wasting your time." The elf replied miserably, "I'm not
worth it."
	"Worth what?" The man questioned curiously.
	"Anything. I'm not worth anything, so you can just leave me alone."
	"Ah." The man seemed to understand. "You are feeling sorry for
yourself." He then chuckled softly, though not in a mocking way and the elf
found the sound oddly comforting.
	"Go away." Vali told him, but he didn't move in the slightest from
the warm hug.
	"That wasn't very convincing, pretty one." The sailor spoke
kind-heartedly. "So, tell me what makes you worthless?"
	"I'm not good for anything. No one wants me, and no one ever will
and I can't blame them... I wouldn't want me either."
	"Such a silly thing to say." The sailor commented evenly. "Do you
know, once I thought I was worthless? And you know what my father told me?"
	"Obviously not." Vali mumbled, slightly annoyed that the man was so
damn persistent.
	"You can never be worthless, only lazy. If you believe you aren't
worth anything than change yourself. Make yourself worth something. I
became a sailor, perhaps not the most important job in the world, but it is
useful, and so I am worth something." He absently ran a hand through the
elf's soft hair. "What you need to do, pretty one, is make yourself worth
something. Because no one will do that for you. Unless, of course, you want
to wallow in self-pity for the rest of your life?"
	"Not really."
	"Hmm, I thought so. Now, do you want to come up on deck and take a
look at the Makara?"


	The coast of Brantilay could just be seen, far off in the distance,
a fog clinging to the land and making it look eerie in the moonlight. The
ship would reach the main port sometime in the afternoon of the following
day, and then they would travel by land the rest of the way to Lord
William's manor. It would take about a week by carriage, during which time
Vali would have to officially be a 'woman'. He would have to wear...dresses
and ick... it was dreadful to think about and so he pulled his thoughts
back to the present.
	He was intrigued to notice the air smelled different, even this far
from the shore. It was hard to explain the subtle difference in the night
air, but it was there. The wind picked up for a moment running invisible
fingers back through his hair. As the soft strands twisted and knotted
slightly he realised he probably should have tied it back before coming on
deck. Now that it reached halfway down his back it was incredibly hard to
manage. He had never realised how annoying hair could be, how could
Tristian keep his hair so long by choice? And the warlord's hair was even
curly. He had enough trouble with straight hair.
	He frowned slightly as he sensed someone else was on the deck, and
they were just standing a few metres away, and he was sure the person was
watching him. After a moment more of thought he realised it was the sailor
who spoke elven. It was puzzling but ever since their little talk a couple
of weeks ago he had often caught the man watching him. He had also seen
Warren talking to him often and he wondered if they had spoken of him. He
hoped not. Thankfully Warren had acted like that night had never happened,
and that Vali had never made the offer. He was glad, for although Warren
wasn't ugly, the elf just didn't find him appealing, though that was more
to do with his personality than his physical appearance. The sailor, on the
other hand...

	Corey found himself staring at the elf yet again. He couldn't help
it, he had never seen a creature more enticing. He stood, his long, slender
hands resting lightly on the rail and his magnificent hair spilling down
his back, shining amazingly in the moonlight like white gold. The elf was
wearing a long sleeveless top over his loose pants so his lightly muscled
arms could be seen, his pale skin seeming to glow, a dark pattern of a
finely tattooed bird clinging to his smooth skin. The elf didn't seem to
notice he was being studied so careful and he tilted his head back,
exposing his supple throat as he gazed at the night sky. The silver hair
shimmered as the wind drifted though it. He was ethereal. An angel stolen
from heaven.
	He walked over to stand next to the beautiful creature, longing to
reach out and pull the lithe body to him, longing to feel the warm body
again pressed to his own. He longed to hold the elf when it was not for
comfort or protection.
	"Good evening, pretty one." He said politely, longing to call the
elf something more flattering than merely 'pretty', for he was far beyond
that simple word.
	"Good evening." The elf replied softly, his voice flowing silkily
through the night air, sending shivers up the sailor's spine. But the elf
remained looking out at the ocean, and so Corey gratefully took the
opportunity to study the elf's delicate profile more closely. He was
absolutely exquisite, with the most amazing eyes; large and slightly
slanted and the most startling shade of icy blue... almost silver. His gaze
then travelled to the ear, which was almost completely covered in the
sparkling waterfall. Then out of sheer reflex he brushed the hair aside,
placing it carefully behind the delicately pointed ear. As he pulled his
hand back, he couldn't resist running a finger along the delicate curve,
surprised a bit when the elf gasped at the touch.
	"Your ears are very sensitive?" Corey whispered, leaning forward so
his warm breath brushed across the elf's ear and he noticed the elf shiver
ever so slightly.
	The elf, still looking ahead, swallowed heavily before giving a
slight nod, as if afraid his voice wouldn't work if he tried it.
	"Fascinating." The sailor mused before giving in to temptation, he
decided if the elf had wanted him to stop he would have protested by
now. So he leaned forward a bit further and darted his tongue out, licking
a light trail down from the tip to the lobe, before nibbling at it with his
lips. The elf let out a soft moan and all but collapsed against the
railing, several tremors running through his slender body. Corey smiled
against the soft flesh, pleased by how sensitive the elf was. He then
continued to attack the elf's ear as he moved his body to pin him against
the rail, and wrapping strong arms around him to hold him impossibly close.
	The warmth coming from where the elf's back was pressed to his
chest was incredible and he knew the elf could feel his hardness where it
sat against the small of his back. He grasped the silky hair and pulled
back so the slender throat was exposed before transferring his attentions
to the milky pale skin. The elf was now gasping lightly in between moans of
pleasure, his whole body shaking with ecstasy. He saw the slender hands
slip from the rail and he quickly moved to intercept them with his own
large hands, causing the elf to whimper in annoyance. But he simply ignored
the noise and continued the play of his lips and teeth across the supple
throat and delicate ears, keeping a firm hold of the elf's wrists.
	"Please..."
	He paused in his ministrations at the soft plea, smiling, enjoying
teasing the elf immensely as he made the cutest and sexist little noises in
his frustration. "Please what, pretty one?" He whispered against the damp
skin, causing the elf to let out a little sob.
	"Please...let me..." It was all the poor creature could manage and
so Corey took pity on him. He shifted his hold so he held the thin wrists
in one hand, he then used his now free hand to slip it into the elf's pants
and grasp his erection. It only took a few quick strokes and the elf came,
his soft cry lingering in the cool night breeze for a moment.
	Corey removed his hand and took a step back, letting the elf slump
bonelessly against the rail, his pale skin glistening with sweat and his
soft hair damp and tousled. The sight was incredible intoxicating, almost
as beautiful to see as when the elf had orgasmed. He slipped the semen
smeared hand into his own pants and came almost as quickly as the elf had,
though not as strongly and he had plenty of strength to stay standing
afterwards, whereas the elf was now sitting sprawled on the deck, leaning
his back against a banister. He laughed and knelt down next to the
exhausted, dishevelled looking angel.
	"Is it always that intense for you?" He questioned with a devilish
grin.
	"No..." The pale cheeks blushed darkly in the moonlight and the
silvery-blue eyes looked at him shyly. "But I had not... since I came on
board."
	"Not even by yourself?" The sailor asked rather surprised. Being on
a ship full of rugged men meant they all often masturbated, it was just a
part of life on long sea journeys. And he had to admit he had thought of
the beautiful elf during his 'sessions' often, and he knew several of the
other sailors had done the same, despite their suspicion of elves.
	"I should go back below, or Warren will come looking for me." The
elf said tiredly as he used the rail to help him get back on his
feet. Corey stood quickly, blocking the elf's path and laying his hands
gently on the delicate shoulders.
	"May we kiss goodbye?" The elf looked up at him, his eyes widening
slightly in surprise and his lips parting subtly in what the sailor took as
an invitation. He leaned down, cupping the back of the elf's head and
claiming the succulent lips in a gentle and delicious kiss. After a few
moments he pulled back and smiled, before asking for one more
concession. "May I have a lock of your hair? To remember you by?"
	The elf looked stunned for a moment, he then blushed again and
nodded his consent. Corey pulled out his dagger and fingered the
wonderfully silky strands for a moment before cutting off a slender lock of
silver. He then tucked the strands carefully into his pocket and slipped
the knife back in its sheath. Before he let the elf go he couldn't resist
burying his hands in the soft waterfall one last time. He was tempted to
ask how his hair had grown so long in only three months but the answer
would probably be the same as to why the elf could see so well in the dark.
	He gave the elf one last soft kiss before stepping aside. The elf
smiled pleasantly and reached a long-fingered hand up to stroke Corey's
stubbled cheek as he whispered words of thanks. He then passed him, moving
with that amazing natural grace of his before disappearing below
deck. Corey grinned and fingered the strands in his pocket, the beautiful
elf was definitely someone he would not forget.


	Tristian and Gabriel finally made it back to Sentanii after finding
and killing that bastard slaver. Now they only had to tell Brandon what
they had found out and they would be able to go back to their happy little
life on the border of wilderness. They headed to Brandon's private rooms,
having got the message that he was in a meeting and would see them as soon
as possible. When Brandon finally came in he didn't look as worried as
Tristian would have thought he would be. He knew that if Gabriel had been
taken from him he wouldn't be able to survive, but Brandon seemed fine,
healthy and almost happy.
	"So, what happened?" The High Lord questioned passively as he sat
down, pouring himself a glass of fine wine.
	"He was sold to a Brantilan noble and taken there by ship shortly
after he went missing."
	"Oh." Brandon sipped at his wine a tad thoughtfully.
	"Oh? That's it? Your lover was kidnapped and sold off as a slave
and all you say is 'oh'?" Tristian questioned indignantly.
	"Sold off to a noble, dear brother. I'm sure he will be well taken
care of until you fetch him back."
	"Fetch him back? But I was going to go back to Ansur. If you really
love Vali like you say you do you'll go after him yourself." Tristian
continued angrily, not understanding how his brother could be so cold about
the whole situation.
	"I can't go, you know that. Reanna needs me, I need an heir."
	"Then you are going to have to make some choices. You have to
decide what is more important to you. You don't really believe we will
bring Vali back and everything will be the way it was? You don't really
believe he will put up with being trodden all over for the rest of his
life, do you? You don't really think he will be happy to continue as your
whore, do you?" Tristian stood and glared at his older brother, not caring
that Brandon could easily have him executed for his insolence. "As I see it
you have two choices. One: you go over to Brantilay yourself and rescue
Vali, you then bring him back here and make him a more important part of
your life, forget about having children for another century. You are still
young, you can easily wait that long for heirs. Two: you let Vali go. You
be happy with your wife and heirs and forget about your pretty
concubine. If that is what you chose Gabriel and I will go over and bring
him back, but we won't bring him back to you. He will be free from you,
free to find someone who will treat him with the love and care he
deserves." Tristian paused for a moment to let his words sink through his
brother's thick skull before he questioned calmly. "So which do you
choose?"
	Brandon shook his head sadly, he already knew his priorities. "I
cannot jeopardize my province just for one half-elf, even if I do love
him."
	"Then you don't deserve him." The younger elf stated before leaving
the room, his lover in tow.


	Vali was miserable, and very uncomfortable. The bodice on the dress
he was wearing was way too tight, and he was sure his ribs were about to
break, not to mention the awkward sandals, which he had no idea how to walk
in. There was a ribbon and charm necklace around his throat and it felt
like it was choking him and now his 'assistant' was tugging and pulling at
his hair. He had been shocked to find that not only did he have his own set
of rooms in the massive mansion but he also had a personal maid. He had
never been more pampered than he had been in the past week, but now it was
time for him to be presented to his master. Lord William had been away on
business when they had arrived at the massive estate and so Vali had spent
the whole time anxious about meeting the man that was wealthier than even
Brandon.
	And from what he had seen of Brantilay the land was amazing, it was
nothing like his homeland where they hunted goblins and fought bloody
wars. He hated to admit it but compared to these elegant people the elves
really were savage. Urtha, his maid, must have been finished with his hair
because she moved to sit on a stool in front of him, holding a small case
in her hand. She opened it and dipped a small brush in one of the coloured
powders before holding his chin in gentle fingers.
	"Close you eyes please, miss." He obeyed with a soft sigh and felt
the soft brush against his eyelids. "Your poor thing." The maid commented
kindly as she continued to decorate his face. "To come from such a savage
place, where they mark their women so." She brushed exploring fingers
across the small dragon. He supposed he could correct her about the tattoos
being his choice but he really couldn't be bothered. What did it matter
what Urtha thought of elves? "Such a shame dear, you are such a pretty
thing. You would be perfect if not for the brands."
	Vali snorted in a very unladylike fashion. "No I wouldn't, no one
is perfect."
	"You know, miss Vali, you really do have a lovely voice, it's such
a shame you don't speak more often. You can open your eyes now." The woman
smiled at him and he could visibly see a thought come to her. "Can you
sing?"
	"Well...yes." He replied hesitantly not wanting to get himself into
a more complicated situation than he was already in. "But not very well."
Ok, so that was a big lie, but the woman wasn't to know that.
	"Oh, I'm sure all you need is a little practice. I'm sure the Lord
won't mind hiring a teacher for you, you could even learn to play an
instrument!" She exclaimed excitedly, and Vali winced inwardly. "With
fingers as slender and nimble as yours you could learn to play the harp
wonderfully!"
	"Please stop chattering." The elf pleaded weakly. "I have a
terrible headache." He went massage his temples but she intercepted his
silk-gloved hands, pulling them back down to his lap.
	"You will mess your hair, dear." She told him gently. She then
stood and moved to one of the small tables in the room. She came back a
moment later with a small vial and what looked like a lump of sugar. He
stared at her blankly as she carefully tipped a few drops of oil on the
sugar, the smell of lavenders filling the room. He opened his mouth to
question her on her sanity but she popped the small cube into his mouth,
the sweetness almost overwhelming as the sugar melted on his tongue. "That
will get rid of your headache, dear. We can't have you unwell when you are
being presented."
	Just then a servant knocked on the door to tell them Lord William
was ready for them now. Vali stood with a bit of help from Urtha and they
walked out of the room. He was surprised to find he could actually walk in
the strange footwear as they made their way down the corridor. When they
finally reached the doors to one of the Lord's smaller sitting rooms they
paused for a moment as Urtha straightened the long folds of his dress,
checking carefully that he looked 'perfect'. When she was satisfied she
reached for the door handles and Vali felt a strange queasiness in his
stomach.