Date: Wed, 11 Aug 1999 06:53:03 EDT
From: MISOMLTR@aol.com
Subject: Romance Out of Time and Place-6

   "And what do you think of him?"
   "Do you really want my views?"  Council Member Braxton asked as he
pondered for a moment over the board before moving a gaming piece and then
back up at his friend and student.  At Blaine's nod, he sat back in the chair
and thought before he spoke.  "He has power--that is definite--if he can use
it or it use him, I dare not say.  He does have a sharp tongue and an iron
will--the concern is whether or not he has the wits to survive."
   "Court intrigue is verily convoluted--more so than this game," Blaine
agreed as he moved a piece in response.
   "I am not speaking only of court intrigue," his teacher instructed darkly.
   "The Grand Council saw. . ." Blaine began as the full impact of his
teacher's unspoken concern filtered into his mind.
   "They saw him use his power, yes.  They are either going to fear him and
leave him alone, or they are going to fear him and act.  I shall indirectly
pass on exaggerated rumors that he is weak and not learned in his power--that
will give you time to complete his training."
   Blaine nodded his thanks and looked on as Braxton moved a piece forward to
threaten his general.
   "I also must thank you, Council Master Braxton," Davin said as he moved
further into the room, having held back to watch their game and also to gleam
any insights of the Council that Braxton may impart.
   "Thank me later on by being my patron when a new Council is tested," he
grumbled softly as he waved Davin towards a seat.
   "That won't be for another two years, but I would welcome you if the time
comes."
   "You know I shall be cast against my headstrong student this time and
Council has taught me to foresee all avenues and plan ahead--then plan again.
 When do you return to Clarmont, Your Majesty?"
   "We shall depart a few hours before nooning so we can be back at eve meal."
   "Ah, good--then I shall be able to see you off and meet this Heartsworn of
yours."  It was unclear as to whether Braxton addressed Blaine or Davin.

*****
   Michael woke as the patch of sunlight from the open balcony crested the
bed.  He stretched and yawned then sat up against the bed's headboard and
brought the covers up and smiled as he recalled the night and their
lovemaking.  He had woken up as he felt Davin kissing his neck and wrapping
an arm around him.  As Davin moved on top of him, Michael ran one hand up and
down Davin's spine slowly as his other rested on a shoulder.  Davin groaned
and they kissed heatedly--Michael's rapid heartbeat matching the quick rise
of Davin's arousal.  Strong arms had wrapped around his waist, possessively
pulling him closer and both of their heavy manhoods rubbed together.  Davin
broke their kiss and moved down his chin to his throat and then to his
nipples, alternatively nipping, licking and kissing.  Michael's fingers had
woven with the soft strands of Davin's hair as he moaned in utter
contentment.  He felt Davin's knees push his legs open and his hardness press
against him, but a quick bite on his pec distracted him.  Before he knew it,
he had his lover press into him and slowly pull back and then in
again--ecstasy and pain mingling till time seemed to have no meaning.  His
own hardness was rubbed by Davin's firm stomach as his face was caressed by
Davin's hands and lips.  All at once, Michael had cried out as he found
release as Davin froze and groaned loudly as he too reached his own
contentment.
  He was brought out of his reverie by Davin entering the room.  His blue
eyes shone brighter than the summer sky as he looked at his love in the bed
and sat beside him and bent down to kiss him.  Michael's dark eyes twinkled
evilly as he raised his arms about Davin's neck and drew him down.
   "If you are planning to waylay me, I must say you are employing good
strategy," Davin chuckled.
   "Only good?"  Michael inquired as one hand moved to stroke him.
   "Exceptional," Davin breathed as he caught Michael's wrist.  "But we needs
be off and returning home."  Davin added as he kissed Michael's palm.  Davin
saw a brief flicker of discomfort flit across Michael's eyes at the mention
of 'home.'  "Tell me of your family," he whispered gently.
   "What--why?"  Michael's words stumbled out as he pulled back and looked at
Davin from narrowed eyes.  "It's just like Thomas Wolfe says, 'You can't go
home again' so why even try?  Davin, please--don't ask this of me, not yet.
If I think on it more, I'll grow mad.  I miss them and yet I don't--we were
not very close."
  "Maybe I could send them a message--invite them all to the Joining.  I'd
like for them to be here."
   "Yeah--just get on a calling circle with Sprint Interstellar--just be sure
to invent electricity and fibrotic cable first," Michael muttered as he got
out of bed, dressed and moved to drink from a flask of water set on a table.
   "Look, I know Cimaera is a goodly journey, but I'm sure they could be here
in a quadron's time--that's only seven days wait."
   "Cimaera?"
   "Yes--Cimaera--the country where Alea hailed from. . .at least according
to our records."
   "Well, she did, but my side of the family moved away--far away.  You'd get
no response to a message sent to Cimaera, trust me on that."  Michael said as
he moved to the door.
   "So, where are your family now?"  Davin asked, as he heard the door close
on his question.

*****
   "Okay, Blaine--it's final Jeopardy and I need the correct response."
   "I beg your pardon?"  Blaine asked as he saw Michael enter after knocking
on his door.
   "Davin is asking about my family--he would like for them to attend our
Joining.  See the impossible?"
   "Well, what did you tell him?"
   "I said that we had not been very close.  He pressed and mentioned
Cimaera--thanks for the non-information of Alea's birthplace--it almost
tripped me up."
   "But you were able to work your way around it."
   "Yes, but. . .well. . .I hate misleading him," Michael admitted as he
slumped into a chair beside Blaine.
   "Why not tell him the truth?"  Blaine asked with a sardonic lift of his
brows.
   "Point taken," Michael responded dryly, after staring at Blaine for a
spell.
   "I do think it is time we begin your education," Blaine reflected.
   They started on geography, which led to trade, which then brought up
politics and wars that tied back into geography.  Blaine instructed Michael
even as they were escorted out to the stables to begin their ride back to
Ardith.  Michael saw Davin talking with a Council Master and smiled lightly
at his love as Davin saw him.
   "So this youngling is the cause of all the furor," Braxton rumbled as he
came up to his old student and Michael.  Blaine introduced them, his eyes
moving from one to the other.
  "Councilor," Michael addressed him, giving a slight nod.  His dark eyes
rose and met the weighing stare with a calm strength--he knew that he was
being evaluated.  His eyes caught sight of Davin approaching a few steps then
waving them on to mount up.  Michael bowed from the neck to Braxton and moved
to join Davin.  Blaine was about to follow when his old friend fiercely
grabbed his arm.
   "Watch him--he has a wild streak to him," Braxton cautioned.
   "What--evil?"  Blaine asked skeptically, yet unsure.
   "Worse--love."  Braxton explained and looked after the two men talking and
laughing as they mounted their horses and made their way to the gates.
"Teach him well, old friend."  Blaine just looked puzzledly at his old
teacher and gave a half-smile in farewell and took off to catch his party.
"Pity the poor fool that attempts to come between them--I fear they shall
learn a lesson that is all too final and quick," Council Master Braxton
murmured, hoping that his fellow Masters would not be learning that lesson.
True, his fellows had their own agendas, but one thing the Council did do was
to keep each land safe.  The Council could reach out and deal with a
recalcitrant or ambitious Royal--they were not quite as powerful as all the
rumors made out, but they were powerful enough for that thanks to the
Heartsworns.
   Heartsworns were magic users just as Masters were, but each Joining
ceremony--officiated by a Master, naturally--magically tied the Heartsworn
not just to the land but also to that Master. That Master could send a spell
out along this link and take appropriate action should any be warranted.
There never had been any magical monsters to protect the land and people
from--this was a screen to camouflage the real reason a Heartsworn was
needed.  Without this control, wars would be fought for resources were
scant--six separate kingdoms were squeezed into a series of valleys
surrounded by weaving mountains making trade from the outside almost
nonexistent.  There had been seven kingdoms at one time, but their only means
of trade--a large silver mine--had bottomed out.  Alea the Reaper had been
blamed for their eradication.
   One less kingdom and hundreds of years of orchestrated peace had built up
resources so that a balanced trade of goods could be maintained.  Sarden was
the center of this trading and was busy day and night with merchants and
customers from all kingdoms for trade was essential for all to have plenty
and the Council had encouraged this trade in lieu of taxing kingdoms.  This
peace had changed the usage of the Heartsworns--the magical connection was
now used for gathering information and the Council had found out that they
could keep order better this way.
   Council Master Braxton's thoughts turned to the upcoming Joining--along
with the problems that may arise.  There had not been any Heartsworn powerful
enough to be a Mirrorer for hundreds of years--his fellows may wish a short
leash.  There could be no connection built to a Mirrorer--they'd just toss
the spell back. . .unless they were unconscious, weakened or untrained.  They
would either vote for this Michael of Atwood to be taken unawares or else
they would have to be satisfied with sending a bespelled item as a Joining
gift.  He was strong enough to make the connection, but he really didn't want
to.  If it were not for the oath he had taken, he would take his student into
his confidence.  He could not tell Master Blaine--but if he took the words
literally, he could tell Michael.  Heartsworns were the creation of the
Council and could be considered to be 'of them' rather than an outsider.
Michael would be either a powerful ally or a deadly enemy.  He had been
picked by Blaine--he trusted his judgment even if he didn't know Michael very
well yet.  As Braxton moved back inside, he carefully considered the possible
consequences of playing both sides.  He could not afford to misstep, for in
this game he would get no second rallying.

*****
   Michael entered Davin's room as he drew a hand through his sweaty hair--he
had ridden for most of the afternoon claiming that he needed to exercise his
horse, but the truth of the matter was that he needed air and space.  Ever
since they had gotten back from Sarden and word traveled about Davin &
Michael, people were falling over themselves trying to do any small thing for
him.  He had understood that they were happy for Davin and wished to make him
feel at home and express their gratitude, but to be constantly waited on hand
and foot almost drove him insane.  He had gotten away only by the grace of
permitting a guard to accompany him--the guard had stayed a few feet away and
let him have time to himself.
  He had thought of the Council--Braxton seemed okay, a bit guarded, but
Demel was a wastrel.  Would the Council fear his power so much that they'd be
slow to act or would they rush to squash him before he could grow stronger?
Which way would Braxton lean?  How could he safely make his way through their
game when he didn't know the rules?  How could he protect Davin and
himself--and just how far was he willing to go to do so?  Only one answer
came to mind--Blaine.  He would have to rely heavily on him for guidance.
   Echoes of those thoughts were broken by a knock on the door.  Michael
called out to see Blaine and a young guard enter the room.  Blaine closed the
door and smiled as he greeted Michael.
   "How are you Blaine?  I thought you'd be with Davin in council."
   "No, at least not yet.  I wanted someone to meet you--this is Braen, he's
an assassin."