Chapter 4: The King
Shuichi sat at a wooden table, his eyes darting about, spooning up some soup. It was greasy and thick, but it was ending his feeling of hunger. He studied Yuki who with disgust pushed his bowl away. He was about to light a cigarette when a woman in a thick woollen dress and a cream coloured pinafore, slapped a slice of freshly baked bread in front of the writer.
The wonderful scent wafted up to his nose and Yuki couldn't stop his mouth from watering. He put the cigarette down and sunk his teeth into warm fresh bread. Hunger was wrenching his stomach, even if he was in a very strange house and feeling unease. The house itself was nothing more than a shanty. A stone and clay structured building with a grass thatched roof. It stunk; it was so grimy inside the building that Yuki was wrinkling his nose every few seconds. But he had to thank the man of the house.
To Yuki's left, at the end of a wooden table, sat a short but stocky man who was currently staring at both him and Shuichi. He bore a long reddish beard and unruly hair. Yuki was sure he'd seen him in the film Lord of the Rings. In fact he was sure he was from the same family but he'd told them he was a lumberjack. He wore tattered clothes, simple pants with boots and a raggedy old shirt. Yuki had also been sure he was going to die in the forest today…
Not one to wait to get a belt in the head twice, Yuki ran for all he was worth. A quick glance back proved to reveal his worst nightmare. A man in amour on a steed, whose head was also armed, chased after him.
Dodging around trees, trying to lose his pursuer, Yuki ran smack into Shuichi. Almost grinning in relief at the sight, he grabbed onto his lover and they ran together.
This has to be a dream…A fucking nightmare!
But the sounds of galloping hooves seemed to increase. There were two knights after them now. But just when Yuki started thinking about what an ass he'd been to his father and siblings. And how he wished he could've said all the sweet things he should have said to Shuichi… a man popped up out of a hole in the ground. He beckoned them to hurry in. Not about to fight with the odd man, Yuki and Shuichi followed him in.
It was a good thing too, because the two men that chased them rode by the hidey-hole seconds later. Knights! Yuki could not fucking believe his own novel creating mind! But crawling down a hole in the earth turned out to be a tunnel. The short podgy man held a lantern and told them to follow him. As they ventured further into the tunnel, it seemed to get a bit bigger.
"Sssh, now we don't want to be waking the tunnel monster," went the man heartily.
Yuki was about to grab Shuichi and head back, ready to gamble his life with the knights. Tunnel monster?!
But the odd man turned around with his lantern and spied Shuichi and Yuki who were a few feet away, stricken with fear.
The man just laughed. "Ye be so gullible. Tunnel monster, do you think I'd be here if that were true?" said the man that resembled a dwarf.
Shuichi and Yuki continued to follow, both were casting a glance of uncertainty at each other. But what choice did they have? "Say," Yuki started in English, talking the man's language, "Can you tell us where we can catch a bus back to Tokyo?"
Once again the man with the lantern turned around. "Tokyo?" he asked bewildered. "You're in Winchester County. I don't know about know any Tokyo, I'm only a peasant who works the lumberyard to pay his dues. It's the only way to live on this land." The man's eyes grew wide. "I pay my dues in fear," went the stout man with a weary voice, "Fear good sirs…" But stricken like he'd been overheard, he urged Yuki and Shu to the end of the tunnel. "I'll tell you more in me house."
Shuichi looked up and saw the man climbing some rungs up, only to knock on something that looked like a wooden floor. Almost immediately the floor opened up and a woman peered down.
"Oi, Marcus I see you've brought guests. I take it they are foreigners?" she went peering carefully down the hole.
"Quiet Charlotte and get out of the way," said the lumberjack and the woman only chuckled at her ornery husband.
Hurriedly Yuki and Shuichi climbed up the tunnel and found themselves right in the middle of a house.
Well if that's what one would call it Yuki thought finishing his bread. No one had spoken much and mostly sat studying each other, equally curious at their different styles. But mainly they were quiet while they ate dinner and drank wine that was almost as bitter as vinegar. Yuki didn't mind it at all, it contained alcohol and that was good enough for him.
Shuichi, who was extra quiet because he didn't understand the English everyone was speaking, could only listen mostly by Yuki's translations. And when dinner was over, the old dwarf like man brought out the heavier stuff and grew a more serious look on his face. He looked like he was ready to talk.
"So what were you doing in the middle of the forest, dressed like gypsies or whatever you are," asked the lumberjack.
Sipping the moonshine, Yuki coughed, but he was ready to drown his misery, whether this shit killed him or not. All he really wanted was a shower and a soft bed. He wanted his favourite pillow and to wake up horny and fuck Shuichi raw. He wanted a real beer. And he wanted the hell out of here!
"His stupid friend dragged us here," Yuki said and thumbed in Shuichi's direction. "I don't know what it was. But we walked through some portal and fell from the sky…I shit you not. And voila! Here we are. My name is Yuki and this is Shuichi…just call him Shu," Yuki explained to Marcus and his wife Charlotte who sat looking worried.
After some questioning, Yuki explained to Shuichi what they were talking about, Charlotte gasped.
"Then you're friend was taken by the king and his men?!" she wondered.
Yuki couldn't understand what all the drama was about but he nodded and said, "Unless he got away…our friend, he's got some strange magic. Maybe you know of it, a crest on his hand…"
"What?!" cried both Marcus and his wife. "Was it the mark of a rune?"
Yuki blinked in their sudden animated outburst. "How the fuck should I know? He just does some weird magic shit."
"Listen I'm sorry to have to do this but I think you're going to have to leave now. If they know you're here and speaking of runes, they'll burn our house down searching for you," Marcus looked around like someone was already watching. "It's said only the king has rune magic…there is no one on this land that can live here bearing a rune. His majesty makes sure of it." Nervously the woodsman downed his drink with a hiss.
Magic? Runes? Yuki spoke softly as he told Shuichi what they said.
"I'm not leaving without Hiro!" the singer cried. "Ask them if there is any way to get inside the castle. It can't be impossible to visit the king right?" Shuichi wondered, releasing a heavy sigh.
"Can't we meet the king? Hiro seemed to be here to find another friend of ours…well not my friend but his manager." The two peasants only stared at Yuki as he pointed to Shuichi; they had no idea what he was talking about. Yuki sighed, "Is there anyone that can help?"
Hiro found trying to find the dining room, a task in itself. He was dressed for dinner and had roamed throughout the castle looking for the dining hall. Fortunately he let his nose guide him there. He passed a few maidens who giggled delightfully at him and Hiro gave them a big goofy smile. Feeling confident now, Hiro entered the hall and said, "Finally I found this place."
K looked up from his whispered conversation with some man seated to his left. The man had short dark hair that looked like someone important. He eyed Hiro with a snort.
But K only laughed when he set eyes on Hiro and said, "Short pants without stockings and wearing the boots that you came here with. A sleeping shirt as a top with a sash as a belt? Did you not let my companion help you dress?" spoke the blonde who twittered with amusement. "You look like a beach comber!"
Hiro looked stricken for a moment and peered down at his clothes. He had put everything on wrong? He could feel himself flush with chagrin and realized that those girls he'd passed had been laughing at him. Sigh. Hiro turned to leave, feeling rather embarrassed said, "I'll go and find something better."
K stood up and Hiro took in his long dark green doublet with laced collar. It hung past his waist and over a pair of tan breeches that were tucked into stockings or chausses. So that is how one wears those pants, Hiro noticed and made a mental note.
"Please stay; I'll have my servant give you a lesson in men's apparel tomorrow. Just let the man help," K offered and directed a hand to his right. "Sit and eat."
Feeling a little self-conscious, Hiro's eyes darted from K to the man he didn't know before he reluctantly sat. He was starving. All the events today and how little he'd taken care of himself in the past week, really took its toll. The only thing filling his stomach was worry about Shuichi and even Yuki. He prayed that they were alright and that soon, K's men would find them and they could all go home.
Hiro almost drooled like a dog when the food came out. But even as the food was placed in front of him, he felt hesitant again. He waited for the others to eat first, just to see what he should do. Without delay K's ringed hand grabbed at stuff. Actually to Hiro it was almost barbaric. They ate with their hands and cleaned their fingers by mouth.
But then again, he could stuff himself silly and no one would complain. So Hiro did just that.
Sigh, for the moment everything was swell. Including the swell in his tummy, Hiro thought and rubbed his aching over-stuffed stomach. But he thought to live and be merry too. He hiccupped. Hiro was drunk.
"Too much wine K you great king you," Hiro guffawed and sipped a little more wine, laughing with mirth. "There are so many things I want to tell you K…and right now I could tell you them all! Would you like me to tell you in your ear, or maybe while I played with your hair. Could I braid it your grace?" Hiro giggled and smirked at K.
"I think it's time you got some fresh air," K muttered to Hiro and cut the man to his left a funny look. "I'm sorry Robert; please, we'll take care of the formalities tomorrow. Just let them know that it's their heads if they don't repay," K said coldly in English and stood up. His demeanour became that of pleasantness and concern.
Robert stood as well and bowed before he left hostilely.
Hiro watched the man leave and called after him, "Aren't you gonna stay for the party?!"
"That's quite enough Hiro, come," K said and offered his arm.
Peering up at K who stood there looking down at him, Hiro giggled a little more. But K didn't laugh. "Gee, K where's your sense of humour? I mean your humour is by far the wackiest," Hiro looked around, "We're the only ones here, no one will see."
But K didn't seem amused. Hrmph, Hiro stood and snickered as he latched onto K's arm, like he was about to walk down the aisle. Clumsily Hiro let K lead him upstairs to a terrace, but even if he was drunk he still noticed how guards followed them. Aww, no fun, they couldn't do anything without being watched. But no sooner had he thought that that K said, "Guards leave us," he demanded.
Hiro watched them quickly obey. "Wow, a whole army that listens to you and…" Hiro inhaled the fresh air and looked over the terrace, he sighed, "….oh wow." He couldn't finish what he was saying as he looked over a village glowing under the moonlight. He couldn't see much expect the odd lit window or the gleam off the lake to the east.
"What you cannot see are the hills in the distance and the grassy land. Wild horses live there Hiro and the hills bear coal. In that direction," K pointed to the west, "is another county that wants my land, they have always wanted it. But it'd take you weeks to get there. Under the light of the sun for as far as the eye can see, is land that I own. The peasants here work for me and pay to live on my land. It's amazing," K finished.
Hiro, who was benefiting from the oxygen, looked over at K for a moment. "How is it that you became their long lost king?" he wondered.
"Just a tale that would bore you Hiro," K said smoothly. "Do you know why I brought you out here, Hiroshi?"
Hiro took a step back when K took a step closer. He shook his head no.
"To see your eyes under the moonlight. To see what he sees…you're very beautiful Hiro. A man would be crazy not to want to touch you or sample those lips," K murmured seductively and again came closer.
Hiro didn't back up this time. Even though K's complete forwardness was a little intimidating. Instead he stood his ground, almost daring K closer. He knew the alcohol was making him brave, but fuck it; he wanted to taste those lips too! He wanted to run his hands through golden locks and touch K's pale skin, inhale his very scent! He recalled how wonderful it felt when Hiro had felt the love K held for him. It was overwhelming and beyond words.
Like a sweet cherry all dripping with juice, K leaned in to kiss Hiro. Mouths held to each other and tongues met. The kiss was divine and both wrapped their arms around each other. Sigh. Hands roamed over bodies, almost as if they were let loose in a candy store.
Not imagining that K could taste any better or feel any sexier, Hiro pulled back to really confirm that he was indeed kissing his crush. Hiro looked up into K's eyes, yellow eyes! Lizard eyes! Jumping away like he'd been splashed with hot cooking grease, Hiro almost fell on his ass.
"What's the matter Hiro?" K wondered quickly, looking puzzled, his lips still wet from kissing.
Staring at K's eyes, that were normal again, Hiro blinked and rubbed his own eyes. Man he must be tired and he was seeing things. "I just saw…your…it's nothing K. I think I'm exhausted, I haven't slept much in the last week, thanks to you," Hiro said, still watching K's eyes. But there was no change. All this craziness was getting to him, Hiro thought.
"Poor Hiro, here I am trying to ravish you when you're dead tired. Come on, I'll accompany you to your room," K told him and noticed Hiro's hesitation. K laughed, "I promise not to ravish you there either, now let's get you tucked in."
It wasn't that Hiro didn't want K to ravish him; he would love for that to happen. But it was this whole place and the strange surrounding that were making him feel unease. And with K putting on his act, which was very convincing by the way, he was feeling a little out of sorts. As much as he wanted to just forget about everything and just let K ravish him till dawn, he just couldn't. The thought that he was going to sleep in a warm bed and with a full belly, made him feel sorry for where ever Shuichi was.
Hiro was quiet the whole way back to his room. "You're worried about your friends?" K asked him.
"Why do you keep calling them my friends? Why don't you just say Shuichi and Yuki?" Hiro questioned K as they stood by his door.
The blonde smiled and opened Hiro's door for him, "Of course Shuichi and Yuki my mistake." Hiro walked past him, looking away coyly as their chests brushed against each other. K smiled.
Expecting K to follow him inside, he only wore a faint amused look and bid Hiro goodnight. Silently he closed the door and left Hiro standing there in a whirlwind of thoughts. Hiro couldn't help but feel crestfallen that K didn't stay. Even though he was tired and confused, it was still one of those things.
Now once again alone, Hiro walked over to the fire and sat at the hearth. Mmm, it was warming him up again, even though he felt cold, he wasn't paying much notice to it tonight. Preoccupied with wine and K? Most likely Hiro thought and dared to reach into the fireplace. Fingers felt for pain, but none registered as Hiro played amongst the flames. Amazing, simply amazing, he thought as he did this. Quickly though his body warmed up nice and cozy and the fatigue Hiro felt hit him hard. Standing, he walked to the bed, removing clothes as he did, dropping them aimlessly to the floor. Climbing under blankets and realizing he was lying on a feather stuffed mattress, Hiro fell asleep by the time his head hit the pillow.
Not only had Marcus ignored their question, he booted Shuichi and Yuki out. As much as he didn't want to be mean he had his livelihood to consider. These foreigners had no idea how horrible the king could be and he wasn't going to sit here for bait.
Shuichi watched the door get slammed in his face. "Well gee, that was awfully nice. What are they so scared of anyways?" went the singer as he caught up to Yuki who was walking way ahead. "Hey wait up!"
"Quiet Shu it's late and this place doesn't look friendly at night," Yuki commented and followed the main road through the village. Really it was like walking down a grassy dirt road, where here and there a house appeared and smoke puffed out of a chimney. It was like a fairytale village and Yuki didn't want to admit it but all the weird sounds were spooking him out.
Shuichi followed Yuki and kept thinking about his friend Hiro. It was crazy how this whole adventure started out and how it was continuing to be crazy. He prayed his friend was alright and not being tortured or forced to fight as a gladiator against some wild jungle beasts. No, he didn't wish this for his friend at all. And Shuichi made a promise, silently, that no matter what he wouldn't leave without Hiro.
The pink-haired singer's eyes darted about, just as Yuki's eyes darted about at each snap and whine of some animal. Each flutter or garble brought their heads around in wonder and fear.
"Yuki…" whined Shuichi, "…where are we going to go at this hour? It's scary out here."
Indeed it was. "I don't know Shuichi, maybe we can find a barn to sleep in for the night. Keep your eyes open for something like that," Yuki told his lover.
Shuichi hung onto Yuki's arm and thanked his lucky stars that he wasn't here without him. For the first time they were truly lost together and now, they had no choice but to depend on one another.
Snap.
The singer looked around and Yuki picked up his pace. As quickly as Shuichi tried to keep up with Yuki, it didn't stop two shadows that appeared behind them. They chanted something quietly, as Yuki and Shuichi turned around and gaped at the glowing eyes from under two hooded and cloaked people. The spell made Shuichi and Yuki hear the music of angels, it lulled them to sleep. In moments they fell into a peaceful slumber.