Star of Shimal

Chapter 2

Jareth opened a set of large double doors that led into a chamber with a high ceiling and the three men entered. Reiva stayed back to observe, knowing full well that any words spoken would fall on deaf ears, as his friend was already lost in the art. Kou's face lifted a bit as he walked further in, his eyes taking in the glory of his late uncle's paintings. Portraits of Taphrenian gods, colorful bowls of fruit, and even a few pieces of his horse adorned the walls, like windows leading to different realities. Some he remembered, and some he did not, but he could see his uncle's hand in each of them. He paused in front of one, tracing his fingers along the carved wooden frame that bordered one of the paintings. He closed his eyes, inhaling the scents of mineral pigments, animal fat, and charcoal. Although his uncle had been notoriously known for his many battles, Kou knew that these paintings also held a large portion of his legacy.

As he moved from the wall, something caught his eyes and he went to the front of the room. A large canvas, much bigger than the rest, resided on an easel near the window, its image hidden by the silk draped over it. With child-like wonder, he took hold of the fabric and pulled it back, and he was astonished by what he found.

It was a painting of a young man, though his beauty was so wondrous Kou almost mistook him for a woman with short hair. He was fully nude save for a dark blue loincloth that bore over a dozen gems, and other bits of glittering jewelry accented his sensuous form. One of his arms was stretched above his head, while the other was curled against his chest, his fingers lightly touching the dip between his collarbones. He looked as though he was in peaceful bliss, his eyes closed and his lips slightly parted. The background was made up of several different hues of cerulean dotted with shining stars like a night sky.

Kou stared at the painting for more than a few minutes before Jareth came over, also admiring the work.

"This was the last piece Lord Khar finished, though he worked on it for almost a decade."

"What is it called?" Kou asked, not even looking at the steward.

"The star of Shimal, I believe."

"And who is the painting of? He doesn't look like anyone in Taphrenian lore."

Jareth was about to reply when a steady knock came from the door. He gave the young master a smile.

"Let me show you."

Kou's eyebrows furrowed curiously as Jareth went to the doors and opened them, and when a small figure stepped inside, Kou's mouth dropped. Standing before him was the boy in the painting, and he was in awe at the exact likeness his uncle had created down to the smallest of details. It was as if a god had breathed into the young man and he'd stepped down from the canvas. But even more astounding was the boy's natural beauty. Most Taphrenians had tanned skin and blond or red hair, but his skin was pale and his hair was black as soot. His facial features were small but firm, and his dark eyes held a gleam of calm intuition. Kou had never seen anyone like him.

"Lord Kou," Jareth said as the dark-haired boy bowed. "This is Kisa, your late uncle's personal slave."

Kou said nothing, still lost in the comeliness before him. Reiva, however, whistled under his breath and approached the slave.

"You weren't joking, Jareth," he said. "This slave puts my lovely Lize to shame."

Reiva reached out and took Kisa's jaw in his hand, turning his head so he could study the face in profile. Kisa did not so much as blink as the man inspected him, touching his hair, face, and even smoothing his hands underneath the slave's dark tunic to palm his lean torso.

"Obedient too," Reiva hummed. "No wonder Lord Khar was so taken with him. Where is he from? He can't be Taphrenian."

"No," Jareth replied. "He's from Valchiria, in the northern continent."

"Valchiria?" Reiva said. "I thought that entire country was wiped out during the war."

"It was, but there were a select few who were brought back as slaves. From what I heard, Lord Khar chose him personally."

Reiva shook his head with a slight smile. "I may beat you in lots, Kou, but it seems the gods enjoy humbling me by raining down their blessings on you right in front of my eyes. If he wasn't your uncle's I'd spare no expense to have him…Kou?"

Kou blinked and looked at his friend. "What did you say?"

Reiva laughed. "It seems this slave has already got his hooks in you."

"Sorry," Kou said with a slight smile. "I'm just amazed by my uncle's talent in capturing him. Seeing the beautiful things he painted has a healing effect on me."

Kou's warm eyes drifted back to Kisa, and he was surprised to see the slave's gaze on him, though his face betrayed very little emotion.

"Jareth," Kou said. "I would like all of my uncle's work at my residence as soon as possible, along with the stock and slaves you suggested keeping."

Jareth nodded. "I can have them brought to you immediately, my lord. Kisa, go tell Eron to ready the wagons and prepare to leave."

Kisa bowed again and left without a word, and Kou found himself staring at the slave's back as he headed out the door. But he was broken out of his trance when Reiva sighed heavily.

"Do you intend to return to your house, Kou?"

"Not yet," Kou replied. "I want to oversee the delivery."

"I thought as much. As for me, I will return to the city and finish my work. Though seeing that Valchirian beauty has got me itching to hold my Lize."

Kou chuckled. "You have that itch practically every hour, my friend. It astounds me that he has any energy at all."

"I have a feeling you'll understand my situation better after you've tried out your Kisa," Reiva smirked. "If I remember correctly, Lord Khar had a voracious appetite himself. Oh to be a bird and steal a look at your bedchamber through the window."

"I won't be resting at all until the paintings are safely in my possession."

"Of course," Reiva sighed. "I bid you both farewell for the day."

After his friend had departed, Kou leaned against the wall and watched as several men began to take down the paintings and carefully crate them. It took several hours, and as unwavering as he was to observe the delicate process, Kou found himself quite weary.

"Some wine, my lord?"

Kou started when a low voice spoke and found Kisa standing next to him with a silver pitcher and goblet in his hands. This Valchirian seemed to slink around like a cat, disappearing and reappearing only when he wanted to. But wine sounded far too good to refuse and Kou took the goblet from his hand.

"Thank you," he said as Kisa poured the fragrant liquid. The slave dipped his head in reply and was about to head back to the kitchen when he noticed the servants taking a particular painting off an easel. It was the one Lord Khar had painted of him and he paused for a moment as a few memories flickered through his mind.

"It's a wondrous painting."

This time, Kisa jerked when he heard his new master's voice from behind him. Kou saw his baffled expression and smiled.

"I have to admit," Kou said. "That it's my favorite one. It must've been very important to my uncle, to have him spend so many years on it and also, to make it his final work."

Kisa's calm expression shifted a bit and he silently nodded.

"I'm curious about the name, though," Kou added. "I've never heard of 'Shimal' before."

"You wouldn't have, my lord," Kisa said to Kou's surprise. "Shimal is a Valchirian name from our legends."

"Really? Tell me, what does it mean?"

Kisa closed his eyes briefly and sighed. "Death, my lord. Please excuse me."

Kou watched Kisa as he slipped out the door. Even though a question of his had just been answered, the truth only uncovered more mysteries of what lay behind those dark eyes.

I've been sitting on these chapters for about five days, so thank your lucky stars that I'm being nice and posting two at once :)

You can thank me with a review and I'll see how fast I can get the next one out. Kisses!