Date: Sat, 16 Oct 1999 08:10:49 EDT
From: MISOMLTR@aol.com
Subject: Romance Out of Time and Place--Part 8

[Please provide me with an email address that accepts Internet email from me,
this screen name is blocking replies.  Thanks, Nifty]

 Michael put on the vest and fastened it, cursing under his breath as he
fumbled for the ties to the left wrist of his shirt and wondered for the
hundredth time why he agreed two weeks ago to host these dinners with Davin.
He left the ties alone and examined how the vest looked in the glass.  Last
week, he had spent an afternoon with Davin's Seamstress and described what he
had wanted.  The vest was black and simple, the only adornment the vest had
were its silver catches that were worked in what reminded him of Victorian
style.  He wore a plain silver ring on his right hand.  Davin walked into the
room and smiled at Michael.  He was dressed in the same clothes that he had
worn before the Great Council except for his circlet.  The dark blue of his
pants and the lighter shade of his shirt made his blue eyes beyond riveting.
   "Plan on setting a new trend?" Davin asked as his eyes drew upon the loose
tie.  He moved forward and tied it off as he looked at Michael.  The vest was
simple yet elegant, allowed the full sleeves of his white shirt to fall
unimpeded and its color made his brown hair look lighter--which made his eyes
appear even darker--richer.  His hand moved up Michael's back and they drew
together in a quick kiss that soon wasn't.
   "We have guests," Michael mumbled around the kiss, his eyes smiling up at
Davin.  Tonight Lord Caufield and her daughter were to be entertained.
   "I never get to see you anymore," Davin grumbled.  "Must Blaine work you
so?" He asked, his eyebrows drawing down in slight worry.  Michael never
spoke of his magical studies.  If his studies were not going well, he'd be
vulnerable. His arms tightened about him slightly--he . . . they had to
succeed.  Council Master Braxton's early visit made him nervous and wary.
   "You know Blaine--do the impossible, then improve on it," Michael shrugged
as he stepped directly back away from Davin and opened the door.  "Ready?"
   "You are eager to meet one of the 'vainglorious, contemptuous, addle-pated
opportunists who care only about the increase of their fortunes' aren't you?"
   "Lord Caufield is the eldest ruling member and holder of the richest land.
 She has ruled for twelve years following the death of her husband.  She
could be a very good ally to recruit--she's smart, powerful, and what she
can't influence, she sells her information to someone who can."
   "She is not an armed guard for hiring," Davin mused lightly.
   "Of course not--if she was, your grandfather would never have lost the
Battle at Aramith."  Michael said, a smile quirking on his face at Davin's
dumbfounded expression.  "I've been studying more than magic," he added.  'So
much more,' he said to himself.
   "When have you had the time?"
   "Mostly when you were either hosting, in special Council meetings, riding
out to inspect crops & settling disputes or sparring with Anton."
   "I see your point--we both have been busy this past quad," Davin said as
he caught Michael's hand and kissed his palm. "Thank you."
   "For what?"
   "Caring enough to enter the fray."
   "Can't let you have all the fun," Michael smiled as they reached the
double doors that led to the Great Hall.  Marble columns divided the room
into two dining areas.  With its bare floor and sturdy tables, the outer area
was used for everyday use and the inner was used for guests.  Richly stained
cherry wood, interrupted by small colored mosaics, gleamed in the
candlelight.  A one-step dais in the corner held the musicians--harpists,
flute-players, a man with a small drum, and two men who held something that
Michael likened to a lute.  The tables were glossy wood banded in gold whose
tops were inlaid with colored glass.  The matching chairs held inlay on the
armrests.  The High table was on a three-step dais in the center and he saw
that Davin's Council was seated before plates with gilt scrolling, polished
cutlery and golden cups.
   "Lord Caufield and Heir-Lord Kesalynn," a herald announced as those at the
table rose and Michael and Davin turned and bowed.  Their guests curtseyed
before Davin took Lord Caufield's hand and Michael led Kesalynn to the head
of the table.  Lord Caufield and Kesalynn sat on either side of Davin and
Michael sat beside Heir-Lord Kesalynn with Blaine next to Lord Caufield.
   "It is good to see you Davin, you are looking to be in great health," Lord
Caufield said with a slight smile.  She was a stately woman--tall and
attractive with her long, premature grey hair bound up elaborately and held
by a small jeweled clip--but the glimmer in her eyes as she noted that
Davin's eyes flickered to Michael Jonathan Atwood made her beautiful.  She
hadn't been able to find out much about Davin's lover until her escort had
been sparring with Davin's guards in the practice field earlier today.  Her
guard had told her his views on the man--saying that he seemed to be
proficient in staves and a bit slow with a sword, but passable.  Her maid had
found out more, but mainly it was about Davin's reaction to this Michael
Jonathan Atwood than about the man himself.  She adjusted her chair slightly
and smoothed the jade-colored brocade and silk high-necked gown as she smiled
brighter at the thought of a challenge.
   "Yes, I am, verily so, Avonna," Davin said, his blue eyes crinkling at the
corners, "due, no doubt to your excellent company."
   "Not even on a best day during my youth could I have induced such glowing
health," Avonna laughed and was delighted to see Davin blush and Michael
chuckle.
   "Dav, you see my mother still speaks her mind without minding what she
speaks," Kesalynn smiled at Davin.
   "Mindful words betray an empty mind, daughter.  You needs not be so
mindful if you hope to snare a man."
   "Mother!"  Kesalynn mock-wailed.  "You see that I cannot take her
anywhere," she added in an aside to Michael.  Her mother loved to shock and
keep others on their toes for she said that people revealed themselves true.
   "But doesn't everyone come to her?"  Michael asked with a glint in his
eyes.
   "Only those I like, Michael Atwood," Avonna replied, a ghost of a smile
and an equal glint in her eyes appeared as she nodded briefly at him. 'I see
that the child has some learning,' she thought to herself.  She had taken on
rule as Lord twelve years ago and had quickly been introduced to how
unscrupulous most other Lords were.  A number of different Lords had visited
to console a widow and to offer advice--advice that would gain them an
advantage.  She had used their view of her as an uncertain woman thrown into
strange new territory to undermine them.  They all had let varying
information slip as she had seemed intent and grateful for their sage wisdom.
 This information she would pass on to another Lord to whom it would benefit
and then they would do her a good turn.  She had made lasting friends--and
admirers--of a few Lords and it was this group from which she received most
of her information.  She had been Lord for two years when Davin had been
installed as Regent and Heir.  She had readily liked the man of twenty-odd
summers and his straightforwardness and intelligence.  As she grew to think
on him as the son she wished she had had, he grew to care about her as a
second mother.
   "Avonna, you never change," Blaine muttered fondly.
   "Change is for women with inconstant wills and faulty plans, Blaine.  I
play to win."
   The meal continued, course after course and conversation ebbed and flowed
along with the music that was softly playing.  Kesalynn and Michael talked
about the trading in Sarden while Blaine, Avonna and Davin talked of Council
matters.  As the plates were cleared from the last course, Avonna turned to
Davin.  "Your musicians are fine--may we take a turn in your ballroom?  As
you can see, I am having slight trouble civilizing my daughter," she added,
gesturing lightly at Kesalynn's silken overtunic and loose pants tucked into
short boots.
   "I abhor the impracticality of formal dress, Mother."
   "My dear, you do not catch a man by endeavoring in his pursuits--you needs
be one of them," Avonna said as she rose and looked at Davin.  "If you would
be so good as to make sure that Kesa is following her dance studies, Dav?"
She asked as she moved over to Michael and took his proffered arm as they
walked to the ballroom along with a few members of Davin's Council while the
rest retired for the night.
   The ballroom was a two-story room with a flight of rounded stairs leading
from wide double doors to the lacquered golden-colored wood floor.  Faint
tracings of gilt could barely be seen due to the many dancing feet throughout
the years.  Four arched doorways with carved wooden doors led out to the
gardens.  Cream-colored walls rose towards a domed ceiling capped with a
stained-glass skylight. The musicians followed them inside and moved to a
two-stair rounded dais in the center of the room and began to play.  Davin
led Kesalynn and Avonna danced with Michael.
   "I'm over here, Dav."
   "Huh?  Oh--sorry, Kes," Davin flushed as she remarked on whom his eyes
were fixed on.  "I trust Vonna, but. . ."
   "She will behave herself Dav--if only for your sake," Kes assured as she
smirked slightly.
   "It's not Vonna that I am worried on behaving."
   "Really?"  Kes inquired, her brows raising in disbelief that anyone could
rattle her mother and reappraised her view of Michael.
   "I hear that you set the Grand Council on its collective ear," Avonna
smiled lightly.
   "Davin exaggerates--it was more of a spirited debate."
   "It was not from Davin that I heard it, young Michael.  Set enough people
on their ear and their tongues and hands seek you harm."
   "I would have been sought out even had I been silent," he said, trying to
keep his voice light.
   "Verily, but strikes to a target can go awry," her words sounded heavy
with implied meaning.
   "Avonna, Davin is a grown man--he can take care of himself," Michael told
her.  "And if they come, it will be my fight."
   "Do you think Davin the sort of man that would let anyone come between
himself and his lover?  But I am not concerned with Davin protecting himself
against the Great Council--I am concerned about his being protected against
you."
   "Me?  I'd never. . ." Michael stated, so shocked that he stopped dancing.
   "I know for I can see that you love him as he loves you, but what would he
be if the Great Council won?  What would happen to his heart?  It is a deadly
game that is afoot--I don't think you are fully aware how they. . ." she
confided, cutting off as her hand squeezed his wrist in desperation and found
his sheathed dagger.  "Or mayhap you do," she said in a quiet voice, her eyes
taking on a new look of calculation and appreciation, "but at what cost to
you?"  Avonna added as she brought him back into the dance.
  "Avonna, I won't lose anything--especially Davin--to anyone.  If they
should try, I'd make them even less than a memory," he affirmed and Avonna
heard the heat and the ice of his words.
   "A dark road leads only to a darker heart.  It's a lonely journey." Her
hand moved up to touch his cheek softly.
   "They may not exactly give me a choice--stopping them may be my only hope."
   "There is always a choice, young Michael."
   "I would never have suspected you for being a flower-child-eyed,
turn-the-other-cheek pacifist," Michael muttered.
   "I have entirely no idea what all that meant, but I can guess that it
wasn't very flattering," Avonna laughed.  "No, I am not a weak, simpering
woman who needs a protector.  It will come down to your stopping whatever the
Great Council attempts, but you can choose the way in which you stop them.
You needs not destroy yourself along with them."
   "Are all of Davin's Lords this wise?"
   "I hope not--I intend to wrangle one of their sons for Kesa."
   "They have no chance, do they?"
   "None at all," Avonna smiled and laughed as they finished their dance.
   "May I cut in?"  Davin asked as he had seen Michael and Avonna pause
before they resumed to dance.  He had introduced Kes to Lord Aeron and walked
over to them, all too ready to hear heated and corrosive words exchanged.
Avonna's laugh was a good sign though--he hoped.  Vonna could be so. . .Vonna.
   "Young Michael, I do believe that your love does not trust us to be
genteel and proper," Avonna teased as she read all too easily the unease
Davin tried to mask.
   "It's not a matter of trust, but more a fact of knowing you entirely too
well," Davin laughed.
   "Well then, I shall move off and seek someone less knowledgeable--a woman
likes to retain some mystery.  Michael, my holding is only a half-day along
the southern road and you are welcome anytime," Avonna said as Michael bowed
to her.  She whispered something that caused Davin to blush and moved off to
dance with Master Blaine.
   "You must have impressed her--she usually doesn't hand out open
invitations," Davin said, smiling at Avonna's whispered comment to 'hurry up
and marry him, you dolt' and took Michael's hand and started off as the
musicians changed to a new song.
   "Well, the liking is very mutual," Michael said as he shifted his hand
slightly.  Avonna was the only Lord that he had genuinely liked since he had
been attending these dinners.  The Lords were extremely polite, but it was a
mask--and Michael was used to recognizing and seeing through them.  They
brought gifts for Davin and also gifted Michael.  The silver ring he was
wearing tonight had been such a one.  Lord Beltona had given it to him and
then made a ploy of seeking his support in a Council matter.  Michael had
tried not to smile too much as he had told her that he really wasn't involved
in Council matters as he wasn't officially a Consort yet.  Her face had
fallen so that he paused a bit before he said that he'd research her case and
talk it over with Davin.  Michael had decided that he may need to curry favor
where he could win it for he may need a favor in the future--if he was to
have one here.
   "I'm glad to see that you have become such fast friends."
   "One thing I will say for Avonna--she is fast."
   Davin laughed and moved beside Michael as a formal dance began.  Michael
offered his hand and he moved through the steps slowly but correctly,
silently thanking Blaine for his lessons in formal dining and dancing--Braen
had played a small flute and quipped about learning a new cover.  Michael
moved his arm carefully to keep the concealed throwing knife from brushing
against Davin.  Braen had been pleased with his training and one night had
asked him to list how many ways that he could be easily taken out and when.
Michael had thought about it and replied that besides the Joining--which
would draw crowds of people and no better time for an agent to slip in
unobserved--he was vulnerable when a Lord was entertained and he kept
thinking of all the varied ways that he could be gotten to until it seemed to
snowball and his apparent availability sobered him.  Braen had quirked a
smile and handed the knife to him and said that he had best be prepared and
had proceeded to teach him some defensive blocks and attacks.
   "I should have coursers so fast," Davin smiled warmly at Michael and was
rewarded with a genuine laugh.  He had been so involved in his training and
it seemed that if he wasn't studying magic or Council law, he was sequestered
with Blaine--it all was wearing on him.  The dance ended and Michael started
to move off the floor, but Davin--wanting to hang onto this one carefree
moment--grabbed him by the wrist and his face registered puzzlement, shock
then anger as his hand tightened on his wrist and he drew Michael out into
the garden, making sure to close the door firmly behind him.
   "Just what is this?"  Davin hissed as he jerked back the sleeve of
Michael's shirt to reveal the wrist-sheath.
   "Insurance and protection," Michael stated flippantly.  'What was his
trauma?'
   "Protection. . .against what--a poorly tuned harp?  Vonna and Kes are very
dear and honored guests--it is a grave insult to them!"  Davin exploded.  '.
. .and to me--does he not trust me to protect him and keep him safe?  I'd
battle anyone or anything that dared to take him from me!'  "Why do you wear
an assassin's dagger?  Who taught you to deal in deceit and death?"
   "So just how did I swiftly move from 'just carrying' to 'mercilessly
killing'?"  Michael spat venomously.  'Is that what he truly thinks of me?'
   "Who gave you that dagger--it is newly forged--who teaches you?"
   'Fuck!' Michael cursed silently, knowing that there would be no chance of
him letting this go--he had to think. . .fast.  "Make up your mind would you,
either I am a skilled and heartless killer or I am an untrained dupe--which
is it?"
   "Don't you dare try to sidestep this--answer me, I command it!"  Davin
growled as he slammed him against the wall and shook him.  'Had his love
really. . .'
   "You command it?  You insensate, pious, myopic anarchist!  I'm not your
subject--I'm myself first and foremost as I have the prior claim. . .known
myself since birth!"
   "Who. . .trains. . .you?"  Davin spat, drawing out each word.
   Why?  Jealous?  I didn't think you were into that kind of thing," Michael
spoke before he could think, saying anything to try and divert Davin from
this course for he couldn't find out that an assassin--even a non-practicing
one--was under his own roof.
   "I won't ask again," Davin's voice iced as a banked fire smoldered in his
eyes and his arms moved from Michael's shoulders to the wall, barring him
from darting away.
   "I. . .it's just that. . .he's--my uncle," he spat out, eyes blinking in
shock as his mouth formed words while his brain was unhooked.
   "What?"  Davin exclaimed, this being the very last thing he had expected
to hear.
   "My Uncle--Joshua--is. . .a working man," he said, trying not to
lie--exactly.
   "And he. . .taught you?"  Davin asked, incredulously, one arm lowering as
he felt unease, caution, uncertainty and yet a very certain sense of relief.
'At least he has another skill if his magic is not progressing, but. . .the
fact that he knew how to kill--it was just something that he had trouble
attributing to Michael.
   "He taught me to look after myself," Michael told him as he moved away
slightly.  'If I answer indirectly enough, it isn't really lying,' he told
himself.
   "Have you ever. . ." Davin's voice dropped off as he couldn't bring
himself to ask--did not really think he wanted to know.
   "Have I ever what?"  Michael asked, realization coming almost before he
finished speaking.  "You think. . ." his voiced whisper-soft before his dark
eyes flashed and his anger rose--along with regret and an empty feeling that
Davin really didn't know anything about him if he could think that he could
kill in a professional way, but the anger won out.  "Have I ever
what--killed. . .enjoyed doing it. . .gotten paid for it. . .sold out my
services for the right price. . .negotiated the value of a life?"  His hurt
and anger pushed him too far, for at that last remark Davin spun and hit him,
knocking him down--hands and knees--to the ground.
   'Gods!  What have I. . .how could. . .' Davin thought silently as he
started to move towards Michael when he saw Michael raise his head.
Something beyond human blasted from his eyes like molten rage and Davin
suddenly found himself gripped by a force and hurled back forcibly, landing
hard on his backside in a grassy square.  The air expelled from his lungs and
he lay there for a minute or so until he felt ready to sit up.  During those
minutes, Michael had realized that he had used his magic against Davin and
saw him laying stunned on the ground a few feet away.  He drew an arm out,
hand reaching for his love before fear made him pull back--fear of seeing the
light in those blue eyes dim, or worse, be replaced by a different light of
fear and loathing.  Michael made a raw, choked sound in his throat before he
pivoted and ran.
   'How could I have. . .he didn't deserve. . .should have just told the
truth,' Michael lamented silently, a part of him wondering how a silent voice
could seem so loud.  He made the stables, barely forcing himself to approach
in a normal way.  He strode to his horse, saddled up and was glad that the
stable was luckily empty of anyone as he led Rossa outside and mounted.  His
shoulders drew up tightly as he crossed the gate prodded Rossa into a gallop
and said farewell to his heart as he left Davin.