Sorcerer Hunters
"Starstone"
Chapter V
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Marron nearly danced as Vareg led him through the park. Giddy and apprehensive, his heart beating fast and a permanent flush on his cheeks, he walked with one arm around Vareg's, the other man's hand on his. They had talked all through their luncheon, and Marron was quite impressed that Vareg had never once repeated himself during the many times he had praised Marron's beauty.
Now the sun was setting, still performing a premature display of night shadows in the early spring evening.
"I do believe that this is about the time we parted ways last night," Vareg commented. As an afterthought he added, "Do you need to return home so soon tonight?"
"Oh, no... not really," Marron replied, smiling and looking at the park trees. "I really can come and go as I please for the most part."
"That's good," Vareg murmured.
Marron looked up at him. "Why is that?"
Vareg looked down at him, his blue eyes flashing playfully. "I simply want to spend a bit more time with you." He slipped his arm around Marron's waist and pulled the younger man closer as they continued walking.
A small chime began to make itself heard in Marron's ears. He pulled slightly at Vareg's hand. "It's not to say that I shouldn't be started getting back," he ammended himself. He looked around at the darkening park. They were on the paths, now, away from the public.
Vareg's hand was not easily moved. "You're not uncomfortable being alone with me, Marron?" he asked. "Are you?" His voice was deep and seductive, making Marron chew on his lip slightly.
"No, no..." the young mage said. "I just think that it is getting a little late, and I'm sure my older brother might be getting worried about me. I didn't tell him–" he stopped himself quickly, and tried to stop walking.
"...Where you were going?" Vareg asked with a low laugh. "I'm sure he must be wretched with worry. He has to be at least a bit concerned, after all..." He stopped and faced Marron, pulling the now-reluctant young mage into his arms, "...He must realize how easy it would be for someone to want to run off with his beautiful younger brother. I am glad," he went on, as Marron started to try to pull away, "That you aren't uncomfortable being alone with me. I am quite comfortable being alone with you, after all."
Marron pushed against Vareg's chest, knowing that the other man was significantly stronger than him. "T-this is not funny, Vareg," he whispered. "Let me go."
Vareg laughed again, pulling Marron with him as he stepped off the path into the trees. "I wasn't hoping it would be funny," he purred in Marron's ear. "But it is, as I hoped, very enticing."
Shocked and afraid, Marron struggled uselessly as Vareg pinned him against a tree. "Please stop," he begged. "Why... why would you do this?"
The weight of Vareg's body now held Marron's slender frame firmly against the tree. The young mage's hands were not strong enough to stop Vareg's as he began pulling up his white robes.
"St-stop," Marron repeated. "Vareg–stop, please!" He struggled, and Vareg chuckled again.
"You're far too pretty to let go, after I worked so hard to get you here," the taller man whispered in Marron's ear. Marron shook his head and tried to kick him.
"Get off of me!"
"Not a chance, gorgeous. You just keep struggling like that."
"Get off of him, asshole!"
A sudden, sharp cracking noise was all the warning Vareg had before a heavy branch and a body forcibly separated him from his quarry. Before he could react, hands clenched together like a club swung at him, clocking him neatly in the jaw. Surprised blue eyes rolled up, and Vareg dropped to the ground.
Marron scrambled away from the tree. "Brother?"
"Ah-HAHA!" Carrot laughed. He stepped on Vareg's chest. "That'll teach you to mess with my little brother. No one messes with a Glaice, y'got that?" he demanded of the unconscious Vareg. "Nobody!"
Marron carefully straightened his robes. "Brother... what...? What are you doing here?"
Carrot laughed. He kicked Vareg one more time, then stepped over him and took his brother's hand, leading him back onto the park path. "I followed you, of course!" he explained. "You were acting so weird... I knew something had to be up." His goofy grin made Marron laugh a little, although the young mage was reluctant to look at his elder brother.
"I... I'm sorry I wasn't more careful," Marron offered. "It was stupid of me... I was careless."
"Bah," came the offhand reply. "You're just a kid. I gotta admire that guy's style–he sure sweet-talked you good. You had no idea, so don't worry about it. Come on." He pulled his brother along the path, towards home. "Marron?"
"I'm such an idiot, brother," Marron whispered, looking at his hands, as if realizing he had them. "I... I could have used my magic at any time. I never even thought about it." He looked at Carrot. "How can I hunt sorcerers if I can't... if I don't think quick enough?"
Carrot thought for a moment. Then he shrugged. "You'll just get used to it, I guess," he said. "I didn't know I could knock a guy out like that, but hey, it worked, right?"
That made Marron smile. "Yes. Uhm... thanks."
"No problem, bro."
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On arriving home, Carrot and the still-unnerved Marron were surprised to discover Gateau asleep on the doorstep. Carrot nudged him awake. "Dude, what'cha doing here so late?"
Their large friend came awake quickly. "You're back! I've been waiting for you since–" he yawned, "–just before sundown." He stood up. Marron sighed as Gateau towered over him and his brother, knowing that he would never grow nearly as tall. Gateau looked down at him and his uncharacteristically dirty robes. "You okay, Marron?" he asked. "You look a little... ruffled."
"It's nothing," Carrot said. "We were just out at the park. But why are you here?" He unlocked the door to let them inside.
"Er, yeah," Gateau slapped his fist into his palm, as if remembering why he was there. "I'm leaving! I won't be going with you guys next week."
"What!" the Glaice brothers chorused, staring at him. "W-why?" Marron asked.
Gateau shrugged. "Big Momma said that there was an opening in another team that needs to be filled immediately. She said she didn't want to split up you two, or Chocolate and Tira. So that left me."
"That... that's awful," Marron said quietly. He stared at the floor. Why must his day get any worse?
"It's not so bad," Gateau replied. He seemed excited with his fortune. "I mean, I'll get to work with some sorcerer hunters who've had years on the job... It just means that I'll be that much better when I come back to you guys. Big Momma already said that she wants it to be a temporary assignment."
Marron bit his lip. The day's events were crashing on him, and he did not want to humiliate himself further in front of his brother–or in front of a good friend like Gateau for that matter–by doing something stupid like crying. Gateau saw him look at the floor, and leaned over to put an arm around him.
"I'll be back," the tall blond said. "I promise, and Big Momma promises, too." He gave Marron a bear hug that lifted the young mage off his feet. "Just make sure you all stay safe while I'm not here to watch out for you."
"We will," Carrot grinned. "I'll keep an eye on them!"
Gateau winced as he set Marron back down. "I was afraid you'd say something like that. Listen, Marron–you watch out for yourself and the girls, and make sure your brother doesn't lead you all into the Pit of Doom or anything like that."
Marron nodded as Gateau walked over to shake Carrot's hand.
"See you later, pal," Carrot said. "Take care of yourself, and send any extra cute girls you pick up my way!"
"Chocolate would kill me," Gateau laughed. "I already said good-bye to the girls, so..." He looked up at the ceiling, as if trying to see the sky, then back at the brothers. "Take care, Carrot. Be safe, Marron."
As the Glaice brothers waved, orange light consumed their friend, and he vanished. Not a second later, Marron ran to his room and slammed his door, leaving his brother standing in the dark.
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