Day by day the Lhusu mines were gouged, a small portion of the magicite heading through a separate route, finding its ways to Archades and the Draklor laboratories. No one would throw accusations at Ondore in the public ear, that would be for certain, but he knew right now that rumors were what he needed. A necessary evil for the greater good that would offer him the comfortable guise of complacency.
Ghis trusted him, or at least believed Ondore was humble enough to fold under Archadian threat. He could only hope that Vayne trusted Ghis enough to believe his word. If Vayne trusted the Magister to send him on duties like these, he was either a reliable ally – or too slippery to be kept anywhere but firmly underfoot and burdened with work.
Ondore had a feeling that it was the latter, but he was already walking the razor's edge, there weren't any safer routes to take.
He summoned an aid over to him, quietly asking for the guard to be brought in. He had to begin gathering the counter-imperials within Bhujerba's walls, as well as review the capabilities of Bhujerba's own fleet of airships. Ondore sighed, feeling the suffocating weight of these tasks in addition to his public duties, and sunk further down into his chair.
"Marquis, a letter for you."
Ondore looked up from his meal, beckoning the guard over and taking the small envelope. He examined the seal, a roundel in the center with rigged edges, with long triangles spreading out to possibly depict some kind of sun motif, the style having been altered over decades of shifting aesthetic preferences. He recognized the motifs from Ghis' armor, and a churning feeling twisted in his stomach. Cutting the letter open with a butter knife, he quickly read over the contents – then read them over again. Slowly raising a hand, he beckoned the nearest guard over.
"Have the guest chambers prepared, and inform the cooks to prepare an Archadian dish for tomorrows dinner."
The guard bowed, swiftly turning on his heel and walking away.
Ondore tapped his fingers along the table, shifting uneasily. The letter simply said that he was going to be in Bhujerba for several days, and nothing more. Ondore had to wonder what sort of implications came along with a simple visit. His foot bounced back and forth nervously, and the continual tapping of his fingers on the table drew the attention of the guards, eyes settling on the odd behavior.
"Sir? Are there any other preparations?" A guard hesitantly asked.
Ondore went completely still, clearing his throat softly. "Search the cellars for bottles of an Archadian vintage."
A small sigh became audible in the brief moment of silence that followed Ondore's orders, and he shot a glance at the guard across the room.
"Your opinion on our guest is noted. To the wine." Ondore finished his sentence with a few waves of his hand, hurrying the guard off.
Ondore could guess easily which airship entering the port belonged to Ghis, Archadian designs were easy to spot amid the lot of Bhujerban merchant vessels. It was the size of an Atomos, with a pale gold sheen that reminded Ondore of Ghis' armor. The lines were slick and curved, but it was clearly an older ship, perhaps made when Ghis was a young man.
He spent the next hour pacing around his room, finding small things to preoccupy his attention for a few minutes then quickly switching to something else.
Other than their shared sexual preference the two men couldn't have been more different. Ondore knew it wasn't Ghis' personality that was attractive – in fact, nothing was that attractive about him – but to finally be able to share a bed with someone was something Ondore couldn't take for granted. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed it until the day afterwards, thoughts darting back to arms wrapping around him, and hands sliding down the sides of his body. That was what he'd missed the most, more than anything. Ghis was no stallion, and neither was he, but a brief end to years of isolation had been desperately needed.
He knew the game he was playing was dangerous, but Ghis knew that too. There was so much to lose if a scandal of that magnitude became public.
Ondore looked to the tall liquor cabinet, making a move to unlatch it when a knock came at his door.
"His Honor has arrived, sir." A muffled voice spoke from the other side. He sighed, turning away from the cabinet and grabbing his cane.
"Have you shown him to his chambers?" Ondore asked, the guard shutting door once he was out in the large hall.
"Yes sir. The cooks informed me that dinner will be ready within the hour," The guard offered Ondore the bottle of wine he'd been holding. "As you requested."
"Thank you. Tell the rest of the guard there is no need to be present within the dining hall, this is not a formal affair. You are dismissed."
The guard departed quietly, leaving Ondore to walk down the multiple corridors that eventually brought him to the familiar doors of the guest suite. He knocked twice, hearing the muffled footsteps inside, the door briefly opening just a hair before swinging ajar.
Ghis was finally able to bow proper now that he wasn't encumbered by armor, or worried that his helmet would slip down.
"Your Honor." Ondore greeted with a tilt of his head, "I do hope no fainting spells are in order this time around."
Ghis' face dropped, easily embarrassed, and his shoulders went rigid. "No, your Excellency. I find the climate to be quite tolerable."
Ondore couldn't help but grin at the other, offering the bottle of wine. "I am certain you did not travel all the way to Bhujerba simply for this humble gift, however I am curious why you've come, formalities aside."
Ghis took the bottle, holding it with both hands as he spoke, "Even a Magister is given a paltry few days of leave throughout the year. I've a week to spend as I please, for the length of the harvest festivity."
"Forgive me, I am not familiar with Archadian holidays."
"It is a banal jubilee for the working class, and an excuse for the gentry and nobles to partake in all sorts of lecherous behavior." Ghis said offhandedly, his dislike for the event clear in his voice.
"So naturally you choose to be as far away from your family as possible?" Ondore prodded, a silvery eyebrow twitching upward.
Ghis nearly rolled his eyes at the word 'family' and turned, holding his door open so Ondore could enter. Once the other man was inside, he shut the door and brought the desk chair over for Ondore to sit. Leaning back against the bed and setting the wine on the nightstand, Ghis took a moment to pull his cravat tighter and straighten his vest.
"Forgive me for being blunt, Excellency, but surely you're suspect to my intentions."
Ondore nodded, and felt quick leap of satisfaction within his chest, "We're both men of a certain position – and I trust you wise enough to keep this strictly a rare and business-like affair, with no disappointment should I be too busy or otherwise engaged to humor you."
"I'd have it in no other fashion, Excellency."
"Then we have an understanding. I shall find you at dinner, your Honor."
Ondore rose, and Ghis moved to open the door for him, bowing as the other exited. As he walked down the hallway, Ondore could feel the other mans eyes on his back, watching him go. Perhaps, he wondered, he had this one more wrapped around his finger than he first realized.
Dinner had been brief, with Ghis picking at the food and nibbling politely while Ondore only gave the soup his attention. He made a note to never ask the Bhujerban cook to try and mimic Archadian cuisine ever again. From first bite both of the men had shared a look across the table, Ghis stuck in mid-chew, forcing himself to swallow. Ondore had to compliment his ability to keep a straight face through the whole affair, because the food was truly dreadful and neither had the constitution to stomach much of it. Ghis had made attempts at nibbles here and there, with Ondore giving his attention to the slightly less intolerable soup.
They'd given it an hour before standing to depart, saying terse goodbyes as the guards stood at attention, going their separate ways.
Two hours afterwards found Ondore resting in his study, a quarter way through a book. The courtyard of his estate was directly visible from his window, and the sound of multiple footfalls in tandem below gave him the hint he needed. Closing his book and standing, Ondore quickly dimmed the small decorative lantern at his nightstand and pressed his ear against the door. He could hear the dwindling sound of a belt and scabbard clinking together and paused. Waiting until there was only silence, Ondore quickly slid out of his chambers, shutting the door behind him.
As he walked down the hall towards the guest chambers, a sudden worry struck him. If there was a sudden emergency, the guard would come rushing to his chambers to find him gone, and then what? Of course, the last place they would search would be the guest room, but he wouldn't want to be absent if something did occur. He quickly justified his choice – the mines were closed for the night, the paling was up, the weather was fair and it was a slow night at port.
Knocking softly on the guest chamber doors, it wasn't but a few seconds until they were opened. Sliding through, the door shutting quietly behind him, Ondore didn't waste time in setting his cane against the nearby chair and starting to pull at the cords that kept his coat shut. The same shuffling of clothes was happening on the other side of the bed, Ondore glancing over to watch Ghis pull the short vest off and fumble to unbutton the tunic beneath. His heart was pounding in his ears, beating rapidly with excitement; the walk from his chambers had stretched his patience much too thin.
Ghis was down to his breeches in under a minute, hobbling awkwardly on one foot as he tugged off a shoe. Ondore kept his eyes on the other for a moment longer, then glanced away, shrugging off his coat and letting it drop the floor. As he tugged at the jeweled tie around his neck, an invading set of hands reach around and do the job for him. The smirk on Ghis' face as he quickly untied the fabric didn't have the normal contempt that Ondore had come to expect, in fact he seemed quite sympathetic.
"I would prefer we finish before sunrise, Excellency." Ghis drawled, searching for the well hidden buttons upon Ondore's shirt.
He chose to ignore that barb, thoughts elsewhere as he leaned against the other man for support, reaching down to pull his boots off. As his shirt was pulled off for him, Ondore laughed at the sight of Ghis taking a moment to fold it neatly.
"It would wrinkle terribly otherwise!"
Ondore didn't grace him with a response, sliding his pants off and climbing on the bed, pulling the heavy covers aside for them both. He spotted Ghis giving him a long stare, and cleared his throat, beckoning him to hurry up.
"The lamp, your Honor." Ondore mumbled once Ghis began to climb on the bed. He slid off and dimmed the small light, looking over to Ondore, waiting for his eyes to adjust. The luminaries along the outer walls of the estate provided enough external light for each to see the borders of objects and spaces.
"Why the dark? You needn't be ashamed of yourself." Ghis asked, reaching into the nightstand to take out a small, ornate glass vial. He slid on to the bed, swinging a leg over Ondore to straddle him. Ondore found himself at a momentary loss – he couldn't tell if Ghis was mocking him or being genuine.
He brought a hand up quickly, placing it between his face and Ghis' to pause any further action.
"I would beg you be silent." Ondore said quietly, "Speak no further for this."
Ondore opened his eyes after a while, lazily edging up, supporting himself with his elbows. Ghis had moved to the other side of the bed, laying on his side, nursing his back.
"Come here." Ondore murmured, indulging in his want for nothing more than the continued touch of another. Ghis rose, bent forward slightly, and turned, scooting across the bed to lay beside him. Bringing the covers up over them both, Ghis watched Ondore's reaction as he carefully brought the other man's back up against his chest and slid his arms around him. A long sigh and relaxing shoulders were the signals he needed, and Ghis carefully eased himself down completely onto the bed, listening to the other breath.
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