Marcus jerked his arms further back, attempting to loosen the cloth binds around his wrists. It was well past midnight, and the mud covered warriors- as he knew them- finally retired to their dwellings. Now he was finally left alone, to calculate an escape.
I hope you're not thinking of escaping," said a sharp voice, a familiar accent. Perhaps it was the cold, Marcus thought to himself, as goosebumps prickled his flesh.
"Esca," he hissed, "You should prepare to run. Two more seconds and I free myself, pummeling you to the ground-"
"Enticing offer," said Esca, stepping closer to Marcus, "that wasn't what I meant. I was going to say, 'I hope you're not thinking of escaping without my help."
Marucs heaved a sigh of relief, louder than he intended. Esca smiled broadly, and Marcus had to turn his head- the young man reminded him of a doe- strong, lithe, and beaut-
"Come now," Esca said, as he pulled out his knife. But before he could cut the bindings, his attention was arrested at the sight of Marcus' tense back, muscles rippling in ways that reminded him of the sandy coast. The general even smelled salty, like the sea. Esca's mouth watered.
"Hurry, dammit!" Marcus said, almost pleading.
"Wait," said Esca, "there is something I must do. While we are in here, like this."
Marcus furrowed his brow, his eyes brighter than usual. "Like this? You mean- dammit, Esca!"
"While you are the bound one," Esca answered, and leaned forward, his heart beating in his ears. Marucs did not turn away, spitting furiously as Esca feared. Instead, the general deepened the kiss, and brought Esca even closer by wrapping his strapping thighs around the young man's sinewy waist. Esca, in response, eagerly stroked the general's burly arms and chest, pushing his up light cloth covering, savoring the bronzy flesh. Suddenly Esca gasped- but Marcus wasn't armed. He pulled back, to see a light sheen of sweat across the general's forehead.
"Let my eagle soar free, Esca," he panted.
"In due time, my friend," the younger-man replied, lightly kissing him again, "once we find suitable respite. But you must promise me something,"
"Anything."
Esca cut him loose. Marcus had to restrain himself from pouncing on his doe-like companion. "What is it?"
"I am a free man, from this point on."
"We are free men, the both of us. Together."
Esca smiled again and cupped the general's face in a way that made Marcus' body ache with need.
"Let us go," Marcus said, "before I die a most unbecoming death."