"You're certain?" Axel questioned Sora and Merlin. He was standing in the wizards' tower. Heavy enchantments ensured their privacy. The two wizards looked at each other and Merlin nodded, stroking his beard for a moment before he answered.

"There can be no doubt. I'm sorry Your Majesty." Merlin said and Axel made a small hmph sound. The two wizards watched him worriedly but the King only stood there, gazing away thoughtfully.

"You have no idea which one it is? Or if it's both?" Sora shook his head. "Hm. You'll have to key my protections to them both then. Will that be a problem?"

"Not really." Sora spoke for both of them. "But Axel… you're still going to…?" Sora blushed as Merlin frowned. Axel gave them both a thin smile.

"You know the rule Sora. The best spy is the one you already know about. I'll get in touch with my Spymaster and see what false intelligence we can put together. Three parts truth, one part lie. Stir the mixture just so and they'll swallow it all down." And if they did it perfectly, they might be able to figure out who had subordinated one of his new concubines. Axel didn't think for a moment that it was Nyamore. They'd have no reason to spy on him like this, but the Queen of Nyamore had plenty of underlings and ministers. Any of them could have been bribed to prepare one of the boys as a spy. "And they're not citizens of my country. They owe me no particular loyalty." Axel was holding firm to that thought. Roxas and Riku had been given to him as unwilling slaves. This wasn't betrayal, even if it felt a bit like it… especially if it was Roxas. Sora sighed.

"I suppose." Sora sounded very sad and Axel gave him a questioning look. "I just like Riku a lot. Should I still keep teaching him?"

"Oh yes. No changes to anything. And it might not be him. Frankly, I suspect Roxas more." That hurt to admit but Roxas had been the one to show interest in his papers. Riku had seemed utterly indifferent. Of course, that could be a pose. Sora and Merlin both nodded.

"Well, I'll leave you boys to it. Let me know if there's any other problems." Merlin left to get back to his magical experiments. Axel said a few parting words to Sora then left for his rooms, his thought whirring and clicking away. He hadn't gotten where he was by letting emotion blind him. He'd handle this the way he did everything, with care and if necessary, ruthlessness.

Although it hurt to think of a certain blonde betraying him.


"Axel?" Axel looked up from his papers at Riku's voice. "Um, I was wondering. Do you have any tasks for me to do? Us to do?"

"Tasks?" Axel blinked, tilting his head to one side. "What do you mean?" Riku colored slightly as Roxas giggled.

"I'm putting on weight." Riku admitted. Axel looked the silver hair over, trying to discern any weight gain. It if was there he couldn't see it. "And getting out of shape. I need some exercise." Back in Nyamore that wouldn't have been an issue. Pleasure slaves spent their time outside the bedroom as palace servants, tending to all kinds of chores. Young men like him and Roxas often did heavy work. Axel frowned for a moment then smiled.

"That's easily fixed." He said amiably as he stood, putting away most of his papers but leaving one out. "Would you like to come too Roxas?" Roxas hesitated. He wanted to stay fit as well but that paper…

"Maybe tomorrow. I've got a headache today." Axel just nodded at the excuse but Roxas imagined he caught a flicker of disappointment in the redhead's eyes. The King took Riku's hand, giving him a quick kiss. The silver haired boy smiled and leaned into it, aquamarine eyes sparkling with pleasure. He might not be the favorite but Riku was very happy with Axel.

Axel took him down to the practice grounds. The palace guards were practicing hard, but they weren't the only ones. A class in more gentlemanly fencing was being held for the nobles and their children. It wasn't useless in real combat… not hardly… but it wasn't the art of a soldier. It was for dueling. Duels were not outlawed although they were only supposed to go to first blood. Duelists who made more than one red win – killing the opponent with the first blow – risked being hung for murder. Most importantly, since the fencing instructor taught children he'd be able and willing to handle a rank amateur. The Guard instructors were busy with more important things than handling a beginner. Riku looked around curiously as Axel waited patiently for the instructor to be free.

"Your Majesty! What can I do for you?" The instructor, a fair haired man with a fine build and a ready smile pulled away his mask. Axel smiled back. He often practiced with Luxord when he had enough time. Axel was actually good at both styles of combat, although he preferred training with the Guard. He'd faced combat again and if everything went wrong it was possible he might again.

"I was wondering if you could train Riku and Roxas a bit for me." Axel rested his head on Riku's shoulder and could sense how nervous the young man was. Slaves were utterly forbidden weapons in Nyamore. "They need a bit of exercise with the feasts around here." Luxord laughed.

"Too true! Many people should pay attention to your example." Luxord examined Riku for a moment. "You look strong. Have you ever fenced before?" Riku shook his head quickly. "Well, let's start from the beginning." Luxord wasn't the only teacher there and his underlings easily took over the other children as he began to show Riku how to put on the padding and equipment. Axel left him at it and went back to his room. He smiled as he saw Roxas reading a book as he walked in but noticed that his paper wasn't quite in the same place he'd left it.

That was depressing but expected.


"So what do you think?" Axel asked Zexion. The purple haired young man gave him a grim smile.

Zexion was his Spymaster. Axel hadn't had any idea how to put together an intelligence operation when he took over the throne and his father had never seen any need for one. But one of his barons, Baron Sekkady, had always had an uncanny knowledge of what was going on. Axel had taken him in for a very quiet, heart to heart discussion and had come out of it with Zexion's services. The Baron had gotten a nice grant of land in return. Zexion was a lord now in his own right, although he'd never seen the small estate that gave him his income and right to be at court.

"I think you're right. It's probably Roxas." Axel nodded, unsurprised. "The Sathari acted on that information about the silk caravans you fed to him." That information had been entirely true and involved their attempt to get the drop on the silk trade up the Yarrow river. "They beat our shipment there." That would be a financial hit but that was largely meaningless compared to ferreting out who their spy was reporting to.

"The Sathari?" Axel's eyes narrowed. They were his enemies although it was a wary, we don't really want to fight sort of enmity. He didn't doubt they'd be more than willing to do him a bad turn. Zexion looked ambivalent though. "You don't think so?"

"It's logical but… there's something out of kilter." Zexion made a sawing gesture with his left hand and Axel frowned. He wasn't going to discount the other man's instincts. "It occurs to me that someone might be selling the information they don't care about." Axel considered that a moment.

"Do you think this could just be for profit spying?" If that was the case, there might be no particular power Roxas was reporting to. Just some criminal group making money on passing around information. But Zexion shook his head firmly.

"No. The cost of bribing someone in Nyamore high enough to arrange this would be prohibitive." Zexion spoke with authority and Axel nodded. That was his area of expertise. "Not to mention the cost of getting mage messages in and out through the castle's general protections. None of that is cheap. But I need to investigate more. I just have a feeling the Sathari aren't behind this." He could be wrong but Zexion had a feeling that something more interesting was behind this. Axel nodded again but Zexion caught a hint of weariness in his eyes. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. It's just a bit hard sometimes, pretending I don't know." He wanted to pin Roxas to the wall and demand to know what he thought he was doing. But there was a decent chance the boy didn't even know who he was ultimately reporting to. They couldn't compromise him before they knew. Axel vaguely wondered what he would do with Roxas when he did know. He would have to think about it. Zexion nodded somberly as Axel stood. "Well, I better go. Mother is insisting I go with her to the new opera tonight."

"Are you bringing Reno?" Zexion asked, morbidly curious. Axel grimaced.

"After last time? No, even mother was willing to leave him at home." Reno had been a complete pain the last time their mother had dragged him to the opera. There had finally been a screaming fit in the Royal box, to the titillation of the people in the audience. The actors had even made a few witty remarks at their expense, although they'd stayed respectful. Axel could hardly blame them with the way Reno had disrupted the performance.

"You should get the opera to do the Death of Amertu. Maybe that would keep his attention." Zexion suggested and Axel paused. That was a very old play with a lot of deaths and simulated blood and gore. Not to mention a bit of female nudity.

"That might not be a bad idea. I'll mention it to mother." She was constantly trying to get Reno to be a bit more civilized and coming up against the roadblock of a boy who loved bloody stories and toy swords. "Thanks Zexion."

"It's nothing." Zexion smiled as he watched Axel go. He liked working for the King. Under Baron Sekkady, he'd just collected information for the Baron's amusement. These days he was involved in far more intricate plots.

It might be more dangerous but it was also far more fulfilling.


"Is it wrong that I think I'm falling for him?" Riku asked Roxas as they ate supper. Roxas glanced up at the head table but to his disappointment, Axel was paying attention to the small quartet that made up the evening entertainment.

"Axel? Not really, no." Roxas said dispiritedly. Just a few weeks ago he'd thought he was Axel's favorite. Axel had even told him so. But now the redhead was paying more attention to Riku. But then, Riku was showing a lot of raw talent at magic and fencing. For Roxas, fencing was a struggle. He had some talent with art but what good was that really? Riku blinked.

"Are you okay?" Roxas seemed so listless to him. The blonde paused in his chewing and forced a smile.

"It's nothing." He couldn't confide in Riku about Xion. He'd probably tell Axel immediately and that would be a death sentence for her. "I thought you liked Sora and Kairi." Roxas had the satisfaction of seeing Riku blush before picking up his corn cob to eat some of the sweet kernels. It was exactly the right season for corn and the taste showed it.

"I do, but they both really like each other. I've given up. I'll just have to settle for a sexy redhead instead." Riku glanced up to the head table and happened to meet Axel's eyes. Riku smiled seductively, but with an edge of genuine happiness that shone through. Axel couldn't help but smile back. "He's talking about making me a squire."

"Really?" That made Roxas look up with a frown. Axel hadn't mentioned anything like that to him. Riku nodded enthusiastically.

"What that means is I'd be his body servant and companion when he goes to war. He's getting Luxord to teach me real fighting as well as fencing." Luxord had been to war and was very good at fighting. Riku wasn't sure he'd ever be that good but he was definitely going to try. Roxas looked down at his food. "Are you sure you're okay?" Riku dropped his voice. "He really likes you Roxy." He'd noticed a little distance between Roxas and Axel lately but Riku was sure the redhead still liked the blond.

"I know." Roxas murmured, trying to catch Axel's eyes. But he couldn't manage it and looked back down at his food with a sigh. He felt like he really loved Axel. The King was just so amazing, so kind and considerate and just… something. Roxas couldn't find words to express it but looking at Axel made him feel warm inside.

Later that night, Roxas and Riku both descended on Axel. Soon they had the redhead pinned and Axel was deeply enjoying it as Roxas rode him, their hips moving together in an erotic dance. Roxas leaned down, catching Axel's lips for a moment before whispering in his ear.

"I love you." He meant it. He meant it with all his heart and it hurt so much. Axel didn't answer, just running a hand through blond curls, but Roxas could see the answering warmth in his eyes. At that moment, Roxas knew he returned the feeling and almost wished it wasn't so. Then he felt Riku's hands around him, squeezing his erection and Roxas was lost in the throes of pleasure. The way Axel was filling him combined with Riku's hands on him was just too much and Roxas came with a cry of pleasure. Axel came a moment later, gripping his hips hard enough to bruise and they lay together, exhausted and pleased.

"I love you too." Axel said softly and Roxas swallowed, looking into the redhead's face. There was an edge of sadness there. What did that mean? Axel brushed away a bit of hair from his face then glanced at Riku. "Riku… oh." Roxas turned his head curiously and saw that Riku had stroked himself to completion. The silver haired man blushed as Axel grinned. "I see you're fine."

"I wouldn't object to more." Riku said spiritedly. "But yes, I'm fine." Roxas giggled and slowly pulled away from Axel, lying down beside him. Riku curled up on his other side. Soon they were asleep. Much later the tingling in his ear woke Roxas and he sighed, slowly pulling away from Axel and walking over to the bathroom. When he was safely away he touched the earring and spoke.

"I don't have anything to report." He'd reported just yesterday. Nothing had changed since then. Why were they contacting him so soon?

We know. It's time. Roxas paled and swallowed. He did not want to do this.

"Are – are you sure?" As he said it he realized it was a stupid question. Of course they were sure.

Don't be an idiot. The voice sounded contemptuous and Roxas winced. Do it now or your little friend will suffer. We'll magic you out as soon as you contact us.

"I'll… have to find something. This might take a while." Roxas warned the voice. There was a snort.

Don't take too long. Roxas pulled his hand away, eyes filling with tears. He held them back, pressing a hand to his cheek as he tried to control himself. When he felt able he left the room and began quietly searching through Axel's things. He knew what he needed but he wasn't quite sure where Axel kept it. His hand finally closed on the ornate dagger Axel wore to court functions. It was a pretty little toy, washed with gold and studded with emeralds but the blade was good steel.

"I don't want to." He whispered to himself as he unsheathed the weapon. But he had. They would torture and kill Xion if he didn't and he'd known her since childhood. He had to… Roxas walked over to the bed, sitting beside Axel. He looked at the sleeping redhead for a moment. He looked so peaceful asleep. Stifling a sob Roxas lifted his arms –

"AGH!" The next few moments were full of pain as the dagger hit an invisible shield and Axel's eyes opened wide. Roxas found himself pinned to the mattress, his arms twisted behind him at a painful angle as Axel straddled him. Riku woke with a start at the sound.

"With my own dagger? Don't you think that's a bit much?" To Roxas' horror, Axel didn't even sound surprised. Just grim and angry. He'd been expecting this? "Would you like to tell me why? Riku, stay where you are." Axel said with a whip crack tone of command and Riku froze in place, watching them in confusion and fear. Roxas swallowed hard.

"I'm sorry! I'm really sorry, I didn't want to but I had to. They have my best friend from childhood, she's like a sister to me and they've been threatening to rape and kill her…" Roxas couldn't hold back his tears now and let them fall. "Please don't kill me." He begged, utterly terrified. Axel would be well within his rights to have him hung or just slit his throat right here. Roxas heard a sigh from the redhead and the grip on his arm relaxed a little so it wasn't actively painful.

"How were you in contact with them? And how were they going to get you out of here? Or were you supposed to kill yourself?" Axel asked, his tone businesslike. Roxas swallowed and shook his head.

"My earring. It's enchanted. And they were going to teleport me out." Roxas saw Riku frown and Axel laughed, a sharp barking sound.

"Teleport? Roxas… Riku, quickly, go get Merlin and Sora. Tell them no delays." Riku hastily jumped out of bed and grabbed his clothes. "And run!" Riku darted out of the room as Roxas blinked. "Roxas, you can't just yank someone to you like that. A very, very powerful wizard might be able to teleport himself if he was desperate but most confine themselves to objects. It requires a wizard at both ends to reliably receive an object."

"…Oh." Roxas felt confused for a moment, then paled as he began to understand Axel's meaning. "What were they going to do then?" Axel finally let go of him, pulling away. Roxas rubbed his arm, looking at the redhead worriedly.

"Most likely kill you." Axel said frankly as Roxas swallowed. "No doubt there's some kind of lethal spell on you. Probably the earring – ah, Sora, Merlin." The two wizards were out of breath and had clearly come as fast as they could. Riku was even more out of breath and collapsed into a chair. "I'm sorry to awaken you like this but Roxas has, um, admitted he's the spy. His earring is the way he was in contact with them but I think there's a suicide spell." Merlin immediately went to work, examining Roxas closely. The blonde blushed at his nakedness and pulled the blanket over his hips. Axel went to grab a robe for himself and another for Roxas as the two wizards worked.

"You're absolutely right. A delayed fireball spell in his earring." Merlin muttered softly. "It would have killed everyone in this room." Roxas darted a glance at Riku. He would have died too? "I'm sorry lad. Sora, give me your dagger." Sora quickly passed over his knife and Roxas' eyes widened as Merlin gripped his ear. "I have to cut this out. There's no time to defuse it and taking off the back will trigger it."

"Do it." Axel said harshly and Roxas tried not to flinch as the wizard cut through his earlobe and extracted the earring. It hurt like the devil and Sora began casting healing spells as soon as it was out. Merlin examined the earring distastefully for a moment. "Merlin, is there any way Roxas can send them a message saying he's done his task and you can get a shield on that thing? I want to see if we can save his friend." Roxas looked up, startled, and Axel gave him a small smile. "We've already been tracing your communications." The wizards on the other side had underestimated Merlin. But then, not many people realized how powerful the absentminded old wizard really was. And Sora was too young to be taken seriously. Roxas was speechless at the revelation. How long had they known about his treachery?

"Hmm, yes, I think I can." Merlin murmured as he began casting his spell. "But Roxas will have to touch the earring." He surrounded the earring in a small glove of green. "Please, Your Majesty, everyone but me and Roxas leave this room in case the spell fails." Roxas hesitated as Merlin looked at him, expressionless. Axel and the others cleared out with alacrity. "Reach through the spell and give your report. Then pull your hand away as fast as you can." Roxas swallowed, wondering how likely it was that he'd lose a hand. He deliberately stretched out his left hand and Merlin smiled in understanding. Roxas was right handed and if he was going to lose a hand, he wanted it to be his left. He touched the earring and spoke.

"It's done." The familiar tingling came and with it the voice.

Very good. Roxas pulled his hand away sharply but it wasn't quite fast enough –

The world dissolved in pain and Roxas heard his own scream before he mercifully passed out.