Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:39:05 -0800 (PST) From: Shannon Bozarth Subject: Going for Bronze Part 2 Disclaimer: This work is fiction, featuring a same-sex relationship between two consenting adult males. If you are under the age of 18, or if it is illegal to view/read this in the city/state/country in which you live, please do not continue reading. The characters, locations and plots contained herein are strictly fictional, and no relationship to any actual person, place or thing is implied or intended. This work is from my imagination, and no one may re-use/reproduce/re-post it without my consent. Feedback is welcome at pon_farr07@yahoo.com. I awoke many hours later to a rather loud commotion coming from the deck over my head. Groggily I stumbled toward the door, not realizing that I still had no clothes on from my swim to the dragon's lair and back. Throwing open my cabin door, the commotion assaulted me with its ferocity, and the sound of all hands on deck running my direction had me overly concerned something terrible was happening. Kradyn's voice, loud and booming and full of commanding authority, reached my ears. "Everyone stay back. He means no harms." As I made it to the stairs leading to the helm, he said, "Anyone doing any harm to him will answer directly to me!" With that threat looming over their heads, all the men stopped dead in their tracks and turned to me. Being captain had just turned interesting. I made my way up the stairs, noting that Kradyn was talking to a small bronze dragon that had perched on the rail at the aft of the ship. Of course, small was a relative term, in that the dragon was bigger than a horse and carriage together, and had jaws big enough to swallow any man on my crew without hitting a tooth. "Kradyn, what's going on?" I asked, as I slowly approached. The dragon turned it's head toward me, appraising me and my movements. Obviously it felt that I offered no threat because it turned back to Kradyn, who looked at me. "This is Rofek, and he is assisting me with researching cures for your sister. He has just flown back from Nwansk with a report on her condition." I smiled at the gorgeous man standing before me, feeling my heart swell with the knowledge that he had gone to such lengths to aid my family and me. "What has he discovered?" "I can talk, you know." Rofek looked at me, a none-too-happy look on his face. "Humans are so arrogant. How can you stand being around them so often? I feel like roasting him alive and having a snack." Kradyn laughed. I failed to see the humor in what the dragon had said, but I remembered what Kradyn had said about dragons' senses of humor. "Now, Rofek. I'm sure that Ruldaan meant no disrespect. He's just not used to dragons the way that I am." Rofek grumbled, sneered at me, and then pushed himself into the air and flew quickly off to the horizon. I exhaled loudly and turned back to my crew. "Ok, everyone stand down. Return to your duties." There were many grumbles and not a few evil eyes cast in Kradyn's direction, but he ignored them, and the men slowly went about their business. "So what news did Rofek have of my sister?" I asked, turning back to Kradyn. "Why don't we discuss that in your cabin? Besides," he said, stepping up to me and brushing his thigh against my exposed penis, "I think you could do with a proper dressing." I looked down, only now realizing that I had been nude the entire time. Kradyn laughed at my discomfort and as my whole body turned red with embarrassment. I made a hasty retreat to my cabin, the gorgeous scholar following and laughing the entire way. Kradyn eyed me lustfully as I quickly pulled on a pair of breeches. "A pity," he muttered, shaking his head. "Anyway, as I was saying," and he cleared his throat, "Rofek has been helping me with research." "How long have I been asleep?" "A few days." Kradyn smiled at my astonished gasp. "I had Mervlyn give you a sleeping draught to make sure that you were properly rested from your nasty near-death experience. But, as I was saying, Rofek has just returned from Nwansk, and this malady is unlike anything he has seen before. He believes that it is magical, not biological." The words slowly sunk into my skull. "Someone did this...on purpose?" Kradyn gave me a heart-felt look of sadness. "It would appear so. And, please forgive my saying this, but I find it hard to believe that you are so astonished...Your Majesty." "Ah, so now you know." I smiled weakly as Kradyn smiled. "It's not like I was keeping it from you. Hell, we only met a few days ago. But, you're right, I guess I shouldn't be that surprised. Genev has been betrothed to Prince Zadron of Feldrick since her birth. Zadron's family has been friends to my family for only fifty years. Before that we were bitter enemies. This marriage was arranged to cement our bonds of friendship. Someone obviously has other plans." "Mervlyn had the same thoughts, which is why I had Rofek fly him to Feldrick so that he could speak to Prince Zadron on your behalf. I hope you don't mind. He said he is your advisor." "Indeed, it is fine. That will save time." I walked to the table and poured myself a cup of ale from the pitcher sitting atop the surface. I took a quick drink, finishing off the contents and poured another. "Does Rofek know of a counter-spell?" "I'm afraid not." Kradyn reached out, snatching the cup from me and downing the contents. "I have asked him to make haste to the Great Library at Elemkur. The High Wizard of the Moon is a long-time friend of mine. He will find the answer, or else it can't be found." I nodded my head. "Thank you, Kradyn. You have done so much for me. I don't know how I could ever thank you." He walked over, stopping in front of me and setting the cup on the table. He looked up, staring into my eyes. "I can think of a very good way. Your Majesty." For some reason I blushed. "You don't have to refer to me that way. We are--I hope--friends. You may call me Ruldaan." Slowly Kradyn lifted his hand to my face, gently tracing his fingers along my cheek and jaw. The touch was so slight that it sent shivers through my spine. A smile tug up the corners of his mouth. "You are so beautiful," he whispered. "Your eyes shine like pearls." His fingers moved slowly back up my jaw and then traced along first one eyebrow and then the other. The whole time I stared at him, feeling the heat of his presence. Wanting so badly to touch, I forced that desire down, teasing myself and dragging out the sense of eroticism I felt from denying myself the feel of his flesh beneath my hands. Bringing his other hand up, Kradyn held my head between his silky-soft palms and slowly moved his lips to mine. The smell of the ocean overwhelmed me as his lips lightly brushed mine, moving slightly side to side. Fire and ice ran through my veins. I shuddered and gasped and felt myself sagging into the gorgeous man's arms. He caught me, pulling me to him, crushing me to his chest as his lips met mine in an explosion of passion and built-up desire. His tongue forced itself into my mouth as I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him fiercely to me. We kissed for what seemed an eternity, and then he quickly released me. Before I could open my eyes, I felt his hands at the ties to my breeches, and then he was tugging them over my hips, letting them fall to the floor. My erection slapped against my stomach before he grabbed it, falling to his knees and swallowing me to the base in one breath. I felt his nose brush against me as his hands grabbed my ass. A finger roughly shoved into my crevice, finding the tight ring of my sphincter. I gasped, reaching back and grabbing his hands. "No, you mustn't," I cried. I jerked back from him, pulling my cock from his throat. "You can't do that. Please." He looked at me, puzzled. "I am sorry, Ruldaan. I thought that you wanted--" I pulled him to his feet, staring into his eyes as I place my hands on his chest. "I do, Kradyn. I want you more than you can possibly know, but I cannot have you in that way. It is...complicated." Kradyn placed his hands atop mine. "As you wish, my king." He winked when he said that, and I relaxed. "Can you explain?" "I want to. Really I do, but I cannot. As I said, it's--" "Complicated. I heard." Kradyn kissed me, and then he stepped back. "I apologize for my actions. I shall endeavor to comport myself as a gentleman in the future." Before I could say another word, he walked out of my cabin, gently closing the door behind him. Who says it's good to be the king?