"Witchcraft!
Witchcraft! Witchcraft!" The chats fell on my deaf ears, as I sat, flabbergast
at the thought that they would accuse me of being a witch. I turned to my
family. My father was ignoring me, and I could guess why. My mother stood
crying, but too afraid to try to defend me. There was nothing that I could do,
as two of the burly men from my town took my arms, and dragged me to a cage. I
said nothing, knowing that this cage would be my home until we came to trial.
Naturally, I would be found guilty, no one had yet to be found otherwise, out
of all the people, mostly woman, that had been burned. I wondered how long they
would wait before they put me to test. The test that would no matter what be my
death, in some horrible way. Maybe I would be drowned, or possibly beheaded. Or
burned. That seemed to be a popular method of killing these days. Or maybe I'd
simply die in prison. That had happened many times as well. For now I must go,
as I await my trial. Till next time, if I live to see a next time that is.
Rowen Hashiba
"Lover, what are you doing here, at the dance of the gypsies?" Sage jerked to face the speaker, and sighed in relief that it was only Lady Mia.
"Nothing really. I was invited by Lady Kayura, and I simply decided to take her up on her offer." Mia nodded as she took the seat next to her fiancé. Their relationship was pure political, neither had romantic feelings towards each other. They enjoyed talking amongst each other in friendship, but nothing had ever gone beyond that. Sitting at his side, she watched in interest at the dancers. They were amazing, graceful bodies moving in twirls of silk and gold bangles and beads.
"Which one is Lady Kayura?" She asked softly, as Sage turned to her.
"The woman in the blue. The clothes that match her hair." Mia nodded.
"She's pretty. A wee bit young to be a dancer, but I guess this is the way that gypsies get money." Sage nodded, turning his head back to the dancers. Mia sighed at her fiancé.
"Young Ryo is searching for you. He's frantic at the moment, your father wishes to see you and he does not wish to get in trouble for you lack of presence." Sage nodded.
"I understand. I shall go home then. I do not wish for any harm to come to him." Mia smiled, as she led Sage from the tent. He gave one last glance at the dancers, and noted with a blush on his face, one smiled and winked as he left the room.
~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~
"Father, you wished to speak with me?" Sage asked softly, noting in annoyance that his brother was present as well.
"Yeah, I was wondering where you have been all day. Lady Mia came by looking for you earlier, and you know where your priorities lie."
"Yes brother, you do." Sage glared at his older brother.
"Oh, do shut up." Sage hung his head when he noticed the stern look of disapproval on his father's face.
"I am sorry brother." Cale grinned.
"It's quite alright, little boy." Anger flashed in Sage's eyes, but he said nothing. His brother was such an idiot sometimes.
"Father, I understand. I have spent the day with Lady Mia. She found me later." His father smiled in pleasure.
"I do expect grandchildren son." Sage felt his face heat up.
"Father! I am to young for that!" His father rolled his eyes.
"Son, fourteen is highly qualified as old enough. On your fifteenth you shall be married." Sage nodded, trying to hide his unhappiness.
"I know father, I know."
"It's a good thing you're finally spending time with her. I thought you two would never except each other and I'd never have a child to carry on the family line."
"Father, Cale is as capable as I am on finding a girl and giving you a grandchild." The older man laughed at that, as Cale looked at his father angrily.
"Your brother find a woman?" Cale glared at his father and stormed out of the room. Sage's father's eyes danced.
"You know very well that your brother isn't exactly the most handsome bloke. With the scar on his face and his hair is a mess; he'd be lucky to find any woman, much less one good enough to produce and heir. Son, you know that I need a strong heir that from himself will be able to produce and heir. And that is why I need you." Sage nodded.
"I understand father."
"Good. Now get some rest. It is late." Sage nodded as he bowed towards his father, and headed towards his room.
"Hello sir." A chipper voice stated the moment that Sage entered his room. Letting a small smile grace his lips, Sage turned to his personal servant. Ryo Sanada.
"Has your day been well?" Sage nodded softly.
"It has been quite fine." Ryo beamed.
"That is good to hear sir! I take it you haven't had any headaches then." Sage nodded in confirmation.
"And I heard that you were out with Lady Mia today. I bid that you had a good time." Sage nodded faintly, sighing. News traveled around the mansion way too fast. Ryo looked on in concern.
"Are you alright sir? Did you and Lady Mia have a fight? You seemed upset at the mention of your meeting with her today."
"No, everything was fine. She was wonderful, as always." Except I have no feelings towards her and I must produce and heir, Sage thought glumly to himself.
"That is good to know sir. Do you want me to prepare your bath?" Sage shook his head.
"Don't worry, you may take to sleep. I'll take care of myself for now."
"As you wish sir." Ryo walked over to the other bed. Against his father's wishes, Sage insisted that Ryo sleep in the room as well, and have a bed of equal size as his own. Ryo was his best friend, even though he was merely a servant. He confided everything with the other boy, including his passionate feelings against being married at such a young age. Ryo felt for him, but obviously there was nothing the boy could do in the matter.
"Good night Ryo."
"Good night Sir."
~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~
"He was there sister! Can you believe it?" The younger girl laughed.
"And he should also be here in about an hour. Why don't you go get changed? You fell asleep in your dancing clothes." Cye nodded happily, as he skipped off. Sage was going to be there all day. What a better way to spend your evenings then staring at one of the best looking men that you've ever seen? Cye couldn't think of anything better. Happily, he removed his clothes, slipping on a silk tunic of black, with only the third button done, along with silk wrapped around his waist in multi-colors. A traditional gypsy outfit. Walking out of the tent he called his room, he made his way over to his sister and the animals.
"Is he here…?" He finally noticed that it was not his sister in the tent, it was indeed Sage instead, looking as beautiful as ever.
"Oh, I'm sorry! Lady Kayura had to go out, she needed to go to the market and get some food and supplies for the animals. She told me to stay here." Cye nodded, noting in interest that Sage was not alone. Along with him was a rather handsome boy, with wild, tiger blue eyes and ragged locks of raven for his hair.
"Oh, Cye, this is Ryo Sanada. He came with me because he wanted to see the tiger. Lady Kayura was pleased to have him here, I hope that you do not mind." Cye shook his head. Two pretty boys were better then one. Ryo turned to the auburn haired boy, smiling and bowing.
"It is pleasure to meet you." Cye grinned back.
"Same goes to you." Ryo nodded once more, as he turned back to the tiger he had been tending to. To Cye's amazement, the animal allowed the boy to not only come near him, but to also pet him.
"Your tiger is really nice. And he's beautiful too." Purring, the tiger rubbed against the boy's side. He wore a simple servant's outfit, cotton gray shirt, brown breeches, but the simplicity of his clothes didn't hide his attractiveness. Could there be more about he and Sage then was visible? Jealously flooded over him, until he remembered that Sage was betrothed to some woman, possibly the one that was with him the night before. Cye knew that he shouldn't butt in with Sage's life, but the boy was too beautiful, to gentle, too…. Perfect to pass up.
"Was the woman you were with last night your betrothed?" He asked as Sage's eyes widened. He hung his head in shame.
"Yes, that was her." Cye nodded softly.
"She seems nice." Sage nodded back.
"She is." Ryo said nothing, as he continued playing with the tiger.
"Ryo, can you go back and tell my father that I won't be back for awhile. Tell him that I'm with Lady Mia." Sighing, Ryo nodded. With one last look at the tiger, he scampered from the room, leaving the two boys alone.
"Is it real or dyed?" Cye asked as Sage looked at him in confusion.
"What are you talking about?" Sage asked in confusion as Cye reached out and took a lock on Sage's fine blonde hair between his fingers.
"Your hair. Is it real or not?" Sage laughed.
"Of course it is. Why would it not be?" Cye shrugged.
"I dunno. Just that your brother has blue hair and your father has black. It was just weird that you have blonde." Sage shrugged.
"I never thought about it. My mother may have had blonde. She died when I was little."
"I'm sorry." Cye said softly, his fingers still twined around Sage's golden hair.
"It's ok. It's not as if I knew her. She bore me, and that is all that I know of her."
"It is still a pity that you never got to meet her. She must have been wonderful. Just like you I bet. Your father is nothing like you, I doubt that's where your looks and personality came from." Sage smiled faintly.
"Yes, but is my personality that great?" Cye grinned.
"It very much is. You're so sweet, and kind, and polite, and beautiful…" Cye watched as Sage's cheeks flushed.
"I… thank you." He stated softly as Cye stepped closer. Carefully, tentatively, Cye brought his lips to the other boy's. Sage's eyes widened in shock as Cye's tongue ran over his lips, coaxing them into parting and allowing entrance. Frozen for a moment, he finally began to think and function once more, as he pulled away, breathless.
"I…. Cye…" Sage turned his face away, running his tongue over his own lips as Cye had moments before. Cye's taste was fresh on his tongue, sweet like pure water.
"I… I am betrothed." He stated quietly, as Cye turned Sage's body to face him.
"Sage, was that your first kiss?" He asked softly, as Sage carefully nodded. Cye smiled at the younger boy's innocence.
"Cye, I have to go. I'll be back to help with the animals tomorrow. I just… I must go." Quickly, turning on his heals, Sage ran out of the tent, holding up the ends of his garbs. Cye sighed. He had just blown any chance with the boy. Not that he had one before. The boy was to be married soon. Well, You can't win the all, Cye thought to himself, as he sat down. For some reason, unlike all his other crushes that had fluttered away, this one actually hurt. He barely knew the boy, yet he felt an attachment to the blonde
"Brother? Where is Sage?" Glancing up, Cye noted that Kayura had just entered the room.
"He… ran."
"Brother, you didn't…" Cye nodded miserably.
"It was too fast, you know that. And you just scared away the perfect animal trainer." Cye let a small smile grace his lips at his sister's joke.
"He'll be back tomorrow. He said so himself." Kayura looked on in shock.
"Wow, he's a brave one." Cye nodded. Well, come sister, I didn't realize how fast the day has gone by. Let us feed the animals, then get ready for our dancing." Kayura nodded, her ponytail bobbing up and down.
~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~
"Sir, is everything alright? You came home early." Sage nodded softly.
"Sage, not everything is right. What happened?" Sage turned to his friend, smiling softly. Ryo knew him all to well, and only called him by his name when the matter was serious.
"I just…. Cye kissed me." Ryo's eyes widened.
"And let me guess, you had feelings towards him?" Sage nodded.
"It was nothing like I ever feel with Lady Mia. I mean, I care about her, but more in a brother sister manner, not in love. But, I felt something different with him."
"But sir, you barely know the boy." Ryo stated.
"I know, that's what confuses me. I mean, I just met him, I know nothing of him, yet when I'm around him I have urges to do things that I know are wrong. And it's not pent up sexual desire. I have no wants for Lady Mia, who I could have if I wished. It's something else."
"Love?" Sage looked on in shock.
"No! I mean, he's another man! I can't be in love, my father would never see to it!"
"Well, technically he doesn't have to find out. I'm not going to tell, you certainly are not going to, and Cye wouldn't." Sage looked on in horror at the idea.
"I want it Ryo, but isn't it wrong?" Ryo shrugged.
"I see nothing wrong with it. I find you attractive; I just don't act on it. I mean, I'd be killed if I acted on it, but still you are attractive." Sage blushed furiously. Ryo smiled.
"Sir, do not try to tell me that you didn't know of your good looks. And you wonder why your father chose you instead of your brother to marry Lady Mia. I mean, She and Cale are the same age, and she is much older then you. There has to be a reason he made you and not your brother." Sage sighed aloud.
"This is all so hard, so complicated."
"I understand sir. You have no way of knowing if he has the same feelings of love as you do, or is this is all a ploy to get you into his bed." Sage froze.
"What do you mean?" Sage asked in confusion. Ryo sighed, he had forgotten just how sheltered his Master was.
"He wants to have sex with you, and only that. Where no emotions are involved, and he could care less if you died the next day." Sage's eyes widened in shock.
"Someone would actually do that?" Sage asked as Ryo nodded.
"I hope that it never happens to you, but it may." Sage shook his head.
"No, it's not that. No way. I thank you for your concern about my welfare, but that cannot be true." Ryo shrugged.
"Suit yourself." Ryo stated as he crawled into his bed.
"Ryo, I'm going to go watch the gypsies dance again." Sage quickly undid the sash of his robes as he slid them off and grabbed a pair of silk drawstring pants, a black tank top, and a matching cloak.
"Master! Now I must disagree! I mean, I don't think you should do that."
"Wasn't it you who told me that if no one finds out, then it's ok?" Ryo nodded with wide eyes.
"Well, yes sir, but still, that doesn't mean that you should…" Sage covered the boy's mouth with his hand, before walking out of the room.
"Oh boy, am I in trouble now." Ryo muttered as he ran out of the room after Sage.
~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~
Sage walked into the large tent, as he searched the dancers for Cye.
"Again Sage?" The blonde's head jerked up and he had to stifle his sigh of annoyance.
"Hello Lady Mia. It's a fine day, and I didn't see why not." Shrugging, she sat next to him.
"Lord Sage, there is nothing that you are hiding about you and this girl is there?" Sage laughed.
"Of course there is nothing going on between me and the Lady! She is too young, there is no way that I would do something with her, or have any feelings towards her.
"Then tell me what it is that keeps you coming back here." Sage turned to her.
"Well, you tell me what it is that keeps you coming here as well." Mia stopped to think for a moment.
"Because I'm trying to find you. If we are to make this marriage work, we have to be near each other and get used to each other's presence. You have to stop running and hiding from me." Sage nodded softly, as he finally took a seat. Mia sat next to him as the dancers began. Carefully, she set her head on his shoulder. He tensed up, taking a deep breath. He did not want this closeness, but he knew that there was nothing he could do. So instead he bore it. Finally, after awhile Lady Mia fell asleep, even in the loud commotion of the dance floor. Sighing in relief, he picked her up and walked out of the tent. Now to take her home and get back to the dance so that he might be able to catch up with Cye. Walking to her home, he didn't even notice as she stirred awake. Smiling, she brought her lips to his. Startled, he dropped her and sent her tumbling to the floor.
"I'm sorry!" He exclaimed as he helped her to her feet.
"I was just, surprised!" He glanced at the sun, which had faded into a bright moon.
"Lady Mia, I am sorry to cut our time together short, but I must be going. It is not safe to be out here at night." She watched as he hastily bowed, and then ran. Sighing, she walked into her home.
~*~^~*~^~*~^~*~
Beautiful. Beautiful, and engaged. Never would the boy be his. Never would this boy be his, unless he did something about it. He smiled, he would make the gorgeous lord his, if it was the last thing he did. Any means would be met, as long as it got him time with Sage. Soon to be his Sage.
To be continued….
A/N: Lookie! I actually got a chapter out fast! *Happy dance* Well, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and if you read "The Outcasts" I bet that you know who wants Blondie! Well, bye bye and hope you enjoyed!
