The Trails Of El Dorado
Chapter II - Feelings
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'Tulio,' Miguel said from next to him. 'I was wondering...'
'Hmm?' Tulio replied, looking away from the lake and at his partner. With the river's main exit blocked, it had diverted its course towards the volcano, resulting in a large lake forming. It was almost a perfect circle, and in the intense afternoon sun the two companions and Altivo had found refuge under the shade of some trees near the water's edge. The morning had been spent dealing with their 'duties,' such as helping resolve disputes between neighbours, giving approvals for marriages and being the judges when someone committed a crime.
'I, oh forget it.'
'What?' Tulio rolled over to his stomach so he could see his partner right way up. 'If it's about your eyes I've told you -'
'No it's not that.' Miguel seemed hesitant. Miguel was never hesitant, tending to leap before he looked.
'Then what?' Tulio was intrigued now. Was it about El Dorado, or Spain? Maybe it had something to do with Jack, or -
'Why'd you leave Chel?' Miguel finally asked.
Damn.
'We just, grew apart, that's all. It happens.' Tulio tried to move on from the issue, but Miguel wasn't letting him.
'Not with you.' Miguel had removed the cloth and was staring out at the lake even though he couldn't see anything but the sun. 'You two were so alike, in everything, and you liked her, and I know Chel liked you, so tell me.'
'It just happened.'
'Things never 'just happen.'' Miguel was persistent.
'It's personal.' Tulio tried, hoping Miguel would leave it alone.
'But we're partners.' Miguel said in what sounded like a whine. 'Partners share.'
That's the exact reason I can't tell you, thought Tulio. Because he didn't want to lose Miguel, and proclaiming his undying love for the blonde man would be a sure way to do just that.
'Altivo agrees with me, right Altivo?' Miguel said. Altivo nickered and tossed his head in a clear yes.
'I... I can't tell you Miguel.' Tulio said defectively.
'But Tulio -'
'No Miguel, drop it.' Tulio snapped, causing Miguel to flinch. 'Sorry, but I can't. Not now.'
'Later?' Miguel asked hopefully.
'Much, much later, when the time is right.' Tulio promised, and it was true. It was only a matter of time before Miguel began to realise Tulio's hands lingered a moment too long when they touched, or his stray glances. Miguel's sight was returning, slowly but it was returning, and when it did Tulio would be caught. Crawling over and letting Miguel lie against him, Tulio figured he better make the most of it while he could.
Altivo snorted and gave Tulio a look that clearly said 'I know.' Tulio ignored the horse and just relaxed, enjoying having Miguel in his arms.
'My lords!' Someone burst through the undergrowth, clearly out of breath from running. Tulio turned to murder whoever had interrupted them but when he saw it was Menna, Chief Tannabok's second eldest son, he reconsidered.
'Yes?' Tulio helped Miguel stand.
'You're needed at the temple. There's a marriage in progress, and the couple need your blessings.' Menna explained. Tulio helped Miguel mount Altivo.
'Who knew a God had so much responsibility?' Tulio asked whoever would listen. Miguel shrugged, Menna wasn't listening, and Altivo snorted.
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'Wake up sleeping beauty.' Richard's voice broke through the haze of Jack's mind. It took him a few moments longer than usual to think up a reply.
'Only with a kiss.' Jack responded.
'Very well.' There was a crack and Jack hissed. Richard loved to use that whip, and he was damn good at it too. 'Count wants you up on deck, so I'm here to escort you.'
'Escort me? What, are we engaged now?' Jack smirked, but it disappeared when he was released from his bonds. Jack's legs gave out and he fell, lacking the energy to stand. After receiving the 40 lashes Salar ordered Jack had been doused in salt water and chained back up in the brig. That was a week ago, and Salar's order of no food still stood. Jack had been left in there for all that time, being given water but nothing else.
Richard hauled the Irishman to his feet and dragged him up the stairs and onto the deck. After being in the dark for days on end Jack shielded his eyes from the blinding light. Catching a glimpse of the shore Jack knew they were still several days away from the first marker. Storm clouds also were visible on the horizon. Richard forced Jack onto his knees before his master.
'My lord.' Richard presented the prisoner to the count.
'Ahh Mr. Egan-'
'Jack.'
'Still stubborn I see?' Salar was wearing a smirk that was driving Jack insane. 'Well, not too stubborn to hold your promise. Now, direct us to the marker.'
'No.' Jack said after thinking about it carefully.
'What?' The count's gaze was immediately back to the Irishman.
'No.' Jack repeated with more confidence.
'As I recall you swore to assist me!' Salar was losing his temper dramatically. 'Even a filthy Irishman like yourself wouldn't go back on a vow.'
'As I recall all I said was 'I swear.'' Jack pointed out, now having a smirk on his face. 'I do swear occasionally when I'm stressed or in pain, but I am trying to -'
CRACK!
The whip came out of nowhere, shutting Jack up instantly. Count Salar was fuming.
'Tie him to the mast.' He ordered, his normally cool expression shattered. Richard seemed to do the task happily. Jack's arms were stretched high above his head, causing him to stand on the tips of his toes. His shoulders screamed in pain, but Jack knew worse was coming. The count was shouting at someone behind him, and the ship turned to portside, allowing Jack to see what was trailing behind Salar's ship.
The Silver Fox.
She appeared to be in one piece, but her rigging and sails were missing. There were also several large barrels tied to the deck. Strange...
'Recognise her?' The count whispered into Jack's ear, startling him.
Jack literally bit his tongue.
'Too small and flimsy for my taste.' Salar droned on. 'Not enough firepower. From what my captain tells me, to lose one's ship is to lose a part of one's soul.'
Jack began to sweat, he didn't like this conversation. The count continued casually, his voice little more than a whisper.
'Take me to the next marker, or the Fox burns.'
Jack inhaled sharply, gaze returning to his own ship. The Fox was everything to him, she was part of him, and to lose her... but to betray the trust Tulio had shown him... Jack was caught between fire and ice, with no way out.
Shouting came from above, and Jack watched as the Fox drifted towards the shore. The ropes were quickly tightened to stop her from running aground, but both the tide and wind were pulling the count's ship out to sea... Jack caught the message. If Jack gave in, the Fox would arrange her own end very quickly. Feeling his soul shatter, Jack whispered the words that he would never forget.
'Burn her.'
'What?' Salar's voice indicated he'd been sure Jack wouldn't still refuse.
'Burn her.' Jack repeated, louder and more forceful. Salar was silent for a moment before giving the orders.
'Do it.'
Jack was forced to watch as flaming arrows were fired onto the Fox's deck. An arrow hit one of the barrels and a deafening explosion tore across her deck. The other barrels followed in quick succession, flames licking her masts and deck. Within five minutes she was nothing but burning wood. Another five and her bow tipped beneath the shallow sea, the rest of her body following it to her grave.
Two tears ran down Jack's face, but that was all he allowed himself to show. With the Fox's sinking, that was all he could manage.
'20 lashes then bring him to my cabin.' Salar said to Richard as the last mast had disappeared underneath the waves. Jack, having a good idea what would happen in the Count's cabin, spat at the man's face. Salar snarled, but Jack's action worked.
'80 lashes.' Count Salar gave new orders, wiping the spit from his face. 'Then send the doctor to patch him up. I don't want him dying yet.'
The count brushed some of Jack's hair from his face, his gaze wandering over Jack's tanned chest and back. The Irishman shivered at the contact. The hand was gone quickly, replaced by the stroke of the whip. Jack bit his lip so hard blood began to flow.
By the tenth stroke, Jack was crying out.
By the twentieth, his blood was coating the deck.
By the thirtieth, Jack was unconscious.
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The rain had started late in the afternoon as a drizzle, but by midnight had turned into a violent storm. The wind was a constant howl as it snaked through the streets of El Dorado, the rain coming down so heavily it hurt. Every few minutes a lightening bolt turned night into day, and the clash of thunder followed soon after. Tulio and Miguel were sheltering in their temple, but with so many large openings in the walls the wind flew right through the interior. Once the storm passed Tulio would talk to Chief Tannabok and have some sort of shutters built.
A lightening bolt struck just over the mountains. Miguel gave a quiet yelp and buried himself deeper into the covers. The blonde had never liked storms, and being half-blind meant it was much worse. Over the past week Miguel's sight had slowly improved. He could now make out large buildings and objects, describing them as shadows. Colour was still eluding him, but Randa had assured Tulio his partner's sight would sharper and regain the full rainbow soon.
As the thunder rumbled Tulio felt the vibrations. Miguel whimpered. Tulio sighed.
'Come here.' He said. Miguel darted across the bed and buried his head into Tulio's shirt, hands wrapping around the Spaniard's torso like it was his only lifeline. After several seconds Tulio felt his partner shivering.
'Miguel, it's not going to hurt you.' Tulio rubbed the blonde's back in reassurance.
'I'm not scared,' Miguel said softly. 'Just cold.'
Tulio pulled up one of the sheets before snaking his arms around Miguel's frame. Gold hair tickled his throat as Miguel shifted, exhaling deeply against the dark haired man's chest. Though Tulio was wearing his shirt, he still shivered. Miguel tightened his grip, probably thinking Tulio was also cold. Having Miguel snuggled up against him Tulio felt guilty.
Miguel was in his arms believing Tulio was offering him comfort as a partner, not a lover. What would Miguel do when he found out about Tulio's feelings? Tulio suspected the blonde would still try to act normal, but it wouldn't work. Miguel would flinch at his touch, grow uncomfortable if they sat close together, would never undress in front of Tulio, let alone share the same bed.
Randa said the blonde's sight would return in the next week. Tulio exhaled heavily. He had only 7 more days to feel the keeper of his heart in his arms. Tulio swore then and there that once Miguel's vision was completely restored, not almost, but completely, he would tell him. He would confess everything. No more stealing secret glances, no more hidden meanings.
'Tulio?' Miguel asked.
'Hmm?' Tulio was startled from his thoughts by the object they were about.
'I remember Jack was calling me Hathor. What does it mean?'
'Err... Hathor is the name of a god.' Tulio prayed to whichever gods were listening that would satisfy Miguel's curiosity, knowing it wouldn't.
'God of what?' Miguel always had to know more.
'Dance, music, wine...' Tulio trailed off, leaving out the parts about beauty, love and sexual pleasure. A flash of lightening lit the temple for a split second, but Miguel didn't yelp like last time. Two more flashes followed before Miguel spoke again.
'Tulio...' Miguel sighed sleepily, barely audible above the wind.
'Yea?' Tulio looked down at the angel in his arms, only to find Miguel had fallen asleep. Adjusting his breathing to match the blonde's, Tulio prayed again, wishing he could stay like this, with Miguel curled up against him, forever.
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What's it been, 6 months? Sorry about that (wince). Why can't I choose a fandom and stick with it? Damn it. Well I'm determined to get this finished by Christmas, and with school out and exams almost over the chances now are pretty good, especially how I've told myself I'm not allowed to write anything else until I finish this. But a HUGE thanks to everyone who's stuck with this and reviewed, means so much to me. Hopefully I won't disappoint you all. I'm sorry for the excess of Jack again, but it's important for the plot.
Sorry about the wait again. If I don't update for more than a month, feel free to send me an email reminding me, or to yell at me, whichever works better for you ;)
Desert Thief