Chapter 7:
As promised here is part 2 of the update, enjoy ss9
The swelter of the jungle was starting to get to them both. Swatting a nasty bug as it landed on his skin Adam tried to push the argument with Duncan from his mind. He knew now that he had overreacted but the older man had pushed too far and he had lost his temper. Something that seemed to be happening more and more as he grew older not less, particularly when it was about his childhood friend, a friend that he had to admit he was falling for. Yet she doesn't even notice when I'm in the room, not like He-Man.
Perhaps that had been the underlying reason for his outburst, with He-Man always around to save the day how would Teela ever notice her old friend. The cowardly Adam, he knew that was what people called him behind his back and he wanted to scream out loud that it wasn't true but he couldn't; just as he knew he couldn't be the Prince that Eternia deserved if he was always falling back on transforming to solve all his problems.
It was finally a relief when the trail they had been tracking suddenly led out into a clearing. Breathing in the fresh air Adam groaned when he saw how high the sun was in the sky, it must have been almost noon, the shadows cast by the tall stone monoliths in the centre of the clearing were stilted but inviting.
Here the footprints became clear once more, there had been quite a scuffle , the tracks led into the circle then nothing. Immediately cautious Adam crept towards the stones carefully not to pass between them as he circled the entire ring. No they definitely had not left the circle.
Reaching out his hand slowly the Prince pushed his fingers forward surprised when the air seemed to resist as if there was a barrier of some sort, a familiar tingle in his fingers told him all he needed to know, Magic! Hope surged through his heart, and Adam could not contain it, he had to return to Grayskull and tell the Sorceress. Duncan and his Father would surely forgive him now, he was right Teela might still be alive.
Turning towards the forest Adam quickly found his own tracks, he had made no special efforts to conceal them and they should be easy to follow back to Grayskull. However the moment he stepped into the darkened jungle something felt off, he felt watched, hunted. "Stay close Cringer." Adam called out only to panic when his faithful companion did not answer.
"Cringer." Adam called out floundering around in the compact space. "Where are you?"
Hearing something that seemed like a whine Adam hurtled off in the same vague direction aghast when he caught sight of his friend suspended by his hind paws from a monstrous looking plant.
"Don't panic I'll get you down." Adam called out in reassurance before turning his attention to climbing the nearest tree.
He was almost in reach when he felt something grip his ankle, tugging with all of his might Adam felt his skin crawl as another hand gripped his shoulder. Struggling futilely against such a grip Adam lost his balance and for a moment felt himself begin to fall before another stronger hand closed around his neck, squeezing…squeezing the breath out of him as he hung suspended by shadow twenty feet up in the air.
"Ahhh Prince Adam all hung up and alone I see…Well we can't have that!" Skeletor barked with laughter.
"Darconus let the boy down." Skeletor demanded and Adam was immediately dropped to the floor the distinct cracking noise of broken bone as he hit the clearing floor.
"Well I did forget to say gently." Skeletor mused before turning his attention to the winded boy. "You must forgive my new servants Adam they are so enthusiastic in their work."
"Yeah it must be nice to find someone who isn't a complete moron and whose willing to work for you!" Adam retorted hotly, not surprised when the overlord of evil backhanded him for his cheek.
"Such a mouth. Your Father must be so proud, a coward and a chatterbox."
"I am no coward and don't you speak about my Father; the likes of you are not fit."
"I…I am not fit?" Skeletor hissed, before slamming his heel into the boy's already damage ribs and grinding into the injury before stalking over to his fallen havoc staff and magically binding the panting whelp.
"If you were any sort of warrior you'd challenge him directly, winner takes all, but instead you hide in the shadows getting these ghosts of yours to do your dirty work!" Adam gasped, girding himself against the pain. He only had one chance, he had to use Skeletor's vanity against him, goad him into giving away his advantage.
"I have the upper hand." Skeletor pointed out. "And as I recall the last time I fought your pesky Father I did indeed win, if it hadn't been for that muscle bound moron He-Man I would already be ruler of Eternia and this war would be long over."
"So you'd have nothing to loose then." Adam retorted. "If you can easily beat my Father in single combat why not challenge for the throne that way?"
"As if Randor would ever come out from hiding behind either He-Man or the Sorceress of Grayskull's skirts to fight me himself!" Skeletor scoffed. "He hasn't led the 'Masters' since his new little hero turned up doing all the hard work for him."
"My Father is not afraid of you!"
Leaning down so that his glowing eye sockets were level with Adam's own Skeletor hissed. "You Father has been afraid of me, one way or another all his miserable life. He would never place everything on one fight, the crown, his people, his precious family, especially not the power of the Elders."
"He would if it would stop you slaughtering his people."
"Perhaps…"Skeletor replied his red glowing dots for eyes narrowing to pinpoints. "And perhaps if it would save his precious heir from a horrendous fate…Tri-clops!" Skeletor suddenly called out into the forest and the helmeted engineer emerged moments later.
"Summon a doomseeker I think it is time we sent dear Randor a message."
---
"Why the hell are we here again?" Teela murmured her eyes narrowing in disgust as the courtesans immediately began fawning over the wealthy courtiers. Tugging at the skin tight outfit she tried to make it cover more of her before glaring at Evil-Lyn who stood casually against the wall exuding confidence, clearly unaffected by the tight black dress that was slit either side up to her hipbones. "Why did you volunteer us for this, it's sickening?"
"This whole party is in our honour…Our Noble Victory. You'd rather stay in the cell?" Evil-Lyn asked genuinely surprised.
"Oh let me think...." Teela retorted sarcastically as she dodged the sweaty groping hand of a passing drunkard. "Yeah! At least there I could slap anyone who tried that into next week."
"Yes why am I not surprised?"
"You cannot honestly say you are enjoying yourself?" Teela asked astounded.
"OI you two less gossiping more mingling!" A melodious voice demanded over the music.
Gracing the guard with a raised eyebrow Lyn slunk slowly away from the wall, snatching two glasses of wine from a passing waiter. "Here take it, keep moving, don't make eye contact unless you're prepared to be charming; a task I am sure is beyond you Captain." Lyn muttered before she sashayed off into the crowd, her hips swinging seductively.
Sipping her wine Lyn's eyes scanned the room, noting the number of guards and their posts by every available exit, there was no obvious means of escape or was there...
"Hello cutie why don't you come over here and keep an old man company?"
Turning round Lyn forced a smile on to her face, he was truly repugnant, overweight, sweaty and clearly worse the wear for drink, he was perfect. "Old? I don't see any old men around here, merely a man in the prime of life." Lyn simpered fluttering her long dark lashes. "Oh dear your glass is empty may I fill it?"
Grasping a jug of wine Lyn filled his goblet before lowering herself into his lap lifting her long smooth legs and propping them up on the arm of his chair. "Now why don't you tell me all about yourself?"
Across the room Teela practically choked on her wine. What the hell was Evil-Lyn doing, she seemed to have singled out the ugliest man in the room and had draped herself all over him. Then again at least he had a face, even if it was an ugly one, which for the witch had to be an improvement.
"Enjoying yourself?" An all too familiar voice muttered in her ear.
Scowling Teela glared at the Prince out the corner of her eye. "Sure it's the best party I've ever been to." She retorted sarcastically.
Snorting in amusement Adam circled her before gesturing with his goblet to the giggling Lyn. "Your friend seems to be having fun."
"She's not my friend." Teela hissed into her glass.
"Really?"
"Really Really." Teela snapped. "Don't you have anywhere else to be, some other subject to lord it over? Where's Milady I'm amazed she hasn't sauntered over and insulted me already?"
"She has a headache."
"So I'm the substitute?"
"Whoa I'm just trying to be friendly Red."
"Well I don't have any interest in being your friend." Teela retorted. "And don't call me that."
"Whatever Red." Prince Adam teased. "Oooh looks like your friend got lucky."
"What?" Teela gasped, looking towards she caught a glimpse as Lyn vanished out into the gardens past the guards with her sweaty old man. "What's she up to now?"
"Why should she be up to anything?" Adam asked innocently his blue eyes locking with Teela's own and for a moment the Captain could almost believe it was her old friend looking at her, the look of concern was so familiar.
"Because she always is." Teela hissed as the sickening feeling of disappointment and homesickness washed over her. "I don't want to be here." She muttered softly before downing her drink and reaching for another.
"Slow down Red." Prince Adam chided grabbing her wrist. "Bad things tend to happen to pretty ladies who drink to much."
"Why is that genuine concern Your Highness?" Teela snapped back sarcastically retrieving her arm and her glass, before side stepping another groping hand. "This place disgusts me."
"It is not all bad."
"Oh really, look a things from my point of view." Teela hissed. "I arrive, am arrested simply because of the way I look, then imprisoned with a bunch of perverts before having to fight a dragon and now as a reward I get to come to a stupid party, dressed up like a whore and have to avoid yet more perverts!"
Laughing at her comic rendition Prince Adam offered the fuming girl his arm.
"What?" Teela snapped looking at the offending limb as if it had scraworm rash all over it.
"A dance."
"With you?" Teela retorted as if scolded.
"With me you won't have to worry about other people feeling you up!" Adam quipped in reply.
Reluctantly Teela accepted to proffered limb, surprised to feel the firmness of muscle under the Prince's fine shirt. "Instead I get to worry about just what Milady will do to me when she finds out!"
- - -
"All too easy." Lyn snickered to herself as she stepped out of the alcove, her sweaty companion slumped unconscious on the bench. Staying in the shadows until she reached the walled gardens Lyn grasped hand holds in the thick ivy and made quick work of the tall stone walls, dropping silently onto the gravel path where she shrank back into the shadows.
Light streamed out of the large windows of the royal apartments reaching far out into the ornamental gardens and the witch made sure to keep out of it. However she hadn't taken into account her chosen path across the planting beds might be noisier.
"Bugger." Lyn hissed under breath when the distinctive snap of a twig gave away her position. Crouching low she scanned around, the gardens seemed deserted, something that struck Lyn as unusual that there would be no guards here, surely the King and Prince needed more security not less.
However before she could move or ponder the matter at length she felt her skin prickle, someone was watching her. Reaching out with her handicapped abilities she felt the presence of another, a few feet behind her and closing. Grabbing a handful of earth she whirled around surprising her cloaked assailant and flinging the dirt in his face, and then while he flailed she kicked his sword from his hand.
Ducking under a powerful punch she momentarily lost her balance but her inelegant dive to the floor enabled her to evade another punch and capture by her more powerful assailant. Rolling through the dirt she cursed as thorns ripped at her already brief outfit before jumping back to her feet. Never one weighed down by pride Lyn decided retreat was her best option and she used her speed to cross the garden throwing herself at the tall wall.
She had almost reached the top when a strong hand grabbed hold of her ankle and bodily wrenched her backwards. Flailing in the air for a moment Lyn turned and none was more surprised than her assailant when she landed heavily on top of him knocking them both to the floor. Taking advantage of his winded state Lyn tried to roll off him but her back had barely made contact with the path than he was rolling with her his heavy weight pinning her down.
Strong hands gripped her upper arms as Lyn struggled in his hold. Hissing she lashed out at his shadowed face with her nails, before her knee moved into position and delivered a harsh blow to his sensitive groin.
Groaning in pain her captor collapsed against her, his head pillowed by her ample chest.
"Bitch." He hissed through clenched teeth.
"Pervert!" Lyn retorted trying to wiggle his face out of her cleavage. A gasp lodging in her throat as her captor lifted his face, his hood now falling back from his head, and glared at her with rather familiar eyes.
"Going somewhere?" Keldor growled.
Swallowing down her nerves and the strange butterflies in her stomach Lyn forced an air of nonchalance. "The party was somewhat of a bore." Lyn drawled, a smirk tugging at her full lips.
"So you thought you'd just take a little walk." The King retorted forcing air through his nose as he fought against the pain, his eyes closed as he twisted his magic to his will.
"Something like that." Lyn replied coyly her eyes raking over Keldor as he healed, he was as magnificent as she remembered and with his strong form pressed against the length of her she was finding it harder to focus.
"Although I must admit the night is getting better by the second." She added provocatively relaxing into the strong muscular arms that held her, sliding her hands up over Keldor's tensed biceps locking them behind his neck.
"You fight like an alley cat." Keldor grunted wincing in pain as a certain part of his anatomy continued to throb.
"Whatever works." Lyn retorted shrugging her elegant shoulders. "We can't all have such lovely muscles you know." She added as her nails dug teasingly into the king's tense neck, massaging minute circles. "So a girl uses what she can."
"No warrior would stoop so low." Keldor hissed opening his dark eyes as his captive merely laughed off his annoyance. "I could have you executed on a whim and you dare to laugh about injuring an anointed monarch?"
Pouting seductively Lyn stoked her fingertips down the side of Keldor's face, part of her marvelling at the texture so different so much warmer than the bone she was used to. "Poor baby want me to kiss it better?"
"Perhaps." Keldor growled softly his eyes widening as he finally looked at her properly, his gaze trailing eagerly over her aristocratic features, an ample chest which heaved against the constraints of her dress, slender shoulders, a long delicate neck, high cheekbones, and exquisite eyes before settling on her pouting lips. "I know you...Ah yes you're the escape artist who slays dragons."
"I have many skills." Lyn quipped suggestively. "But I don't think I've ever been described quite like that before; although now I can add monarch knobbleing to the list."
"If you did that I might have to cut out that pretty tongue of yours." Keldor threatened a hand reaching up to grip her jaw. "Such a shame no one would get to hear such pithy statements." He added darkly.
"Or you could just keep it occupied another way." Lyn retorted her eyes darkening to match his, her pulse jumping under his fingertips as he leaned forward his breath hot on her face.
Wetting her lips in anticipation she crowed inwardly as Keldor's eyes eagerly followed the movement, his hand moving from her jaw to thread roughly through her short hair. Lifting her chin so their lips brushed together Lyn closed her eyes in anticipation her annoyance skyrocketing when a sudden voice called out. "Over there."
Growling in annoyance Keldor rolled off of the disappointed witch. Getting to his feet he graciously offered her a hand to rise, enjoying the chance to eye up the rest of her revealing outfit.
"Your Majesty." The guards gasped, dropping to the knees before their monarch. "Forgive us we were on the trail of an escaped prisoner, she attacked Minister Flek and disappeared into the gardens."
"That's her." A wheezing voice insisted. "Little slut caught me off guard." Minister Flek rotund sweaty face appeared out of the darkness. "Oh Your Majesty forgive me, I didn't see you."
"Attacking government ministers as well my dear? You have had an eventful evening." Keldor chuckled at the nonchalant Lyn who simply shrugged off the accusation.
"Do not concern yourself Minister Flek I assure she will be punished, I plan on overseeing it personally."
Dabbing at his sweaty forehead the minister grovelled obsequiously at his King's feet, muttering his gratitude until the guards came and dragged him away.
"Shall I take the prisoner back to the cells Your Majesty? Forgive for speaking out of turn my King but I believe Queen Hawk is awaiting you in your chambers, the annual tribute."
"Yes." Keldor replied dismissing the guard with a mere wave of the hand a dark mood settling over his handsome features. "Take her back to the cells but tell her guards to keep their hands to themselves, I intend to interrogate her personally."
"Thoroughly I hope?" Lyn retorted causing the King to snort with amusement and his dark mood to lift briefly.
"You have quite the tongue on you wench; I hope it proves as talented in other areas."
"Well you'll have to wait to find out, since your little feathered friend is more important than me." Lyn retorted a touch of pique in her voice as she allowed the guard to secure her wrists. "I am sure you'll both have a wonderful evening."
Catching her arm Keldor turned Lyn back round to face him his dark eyes wide in bemusement. "You are quite an actress my dear you almost have me convinced you are actually disappointed."
"Maybe I am maybe I'm not." Lyn retorted smirking before she twisted out of his grasp, then standing on her tip toes she looped her bound arms over his head and pulled the stunned monarch in for a passionate kiss. His lips at first slack, as she plundered his mouth, soon kissed her back with equal force and dexterity; his arms reaching up to wrap around her slim waist pressing her body against his.
Breaking away for air, "Call that a taster." Lyn mumbled against his lips before lifting her arms and turning back towards the guard stepping out of his arms with a provocative wiggle of her hips.
Touching his bruised lips Keldor smirked at the little display, admiring her figure until it disappeared from his sight, definitely talented.
---
The council was making progress, slow progress but it was something. Yet ever since Duncan's report about his missing son Randor had struggled to keep his thoughts on the matters under discussion. He was just about to call the meeting to a close when the sudden whirl of mechanics caused everyone to duck and grasp their weapons.
Hovering in the doorway was one of Tri-Clop's doom seekers.
"What on earth." Duncan exclaimed his blaster cannon locked firmly on the hovering device.
As if in answer the machine began to broadcast, and the grinning visage of Skeletor greeted them.
"Randor and guests…" Skeletor began as if addressing a group of gathered friends.
"I am sure you are wondering why I am sending you this little message. I have a proposal for you, a challenge. I am sure by now you have realised just how futile it is to fight against me. My allies are unstoppable and the longer this continues the more innocents will suffer. Not that such a thing bothers me but since you all claim to care for you peoples I thought it might appeal to those noble natures of yours." Skeletor scoffed reclining on his throne.
"I challenge you Randor for the throne of Eternia, single combat to the death, no interference from either my Evil warriors or your precious Masters. The strongest combater takes it all." Skeletor added standing up from his throne and sauntering down the steps.
"I strongly urge you to accept such a generous offer. I will not repeat it, think about how much bloodshed it will avoid, a war that you cannot possibly win any other way. And if the suffering of your people is not enough motivation for you Randor, to set aside you cowardice and face me how about a little personal incentive." Skeletor paused before striding out of shot, returning half dragging half carrying someone.
Suppressing a gasp of horror Randor choked back a sob as his son's bleeding face was held up to the doom seeker's recorder.
"If you refuse my generous offer Randor then I will sacrifice your son to my new friends, as you can see they have already enjoyed playing with him…Just imagine how much damage they can do without me there to restrain them. You have till daybreak to reply and don't even bother attempting a rescue attempt my new servants cannot be resisted and they could just as easily slip into the palace and strangle the boy in his sleep!"
With that the message came to an abrupt end and the doom seeker retreated.
Collapsing into his chair Randor felt his energy drain from his very body.
"Your Majesty." Duncan murmured coming to stand beside Randor's chair. "What should we do…We should at least attempt to rescue the boy."
"What would be the point my old friend?" Randor asked wearily. "We know what Skeletor says is true, we have found no way to guard against his new warriors and he has never been one to make idle threats."
"What do you intend to do? You cannot mean to accept, Skeletor has never kept his word, how can you even consider risking your throne."
Sighing deeply Randor ran his hand through his hair before looking up to meet Duncan's concerned gaze. "I don't have a choice, send word Duncan, tell Skeletor I accept his challenge, let's end this thing one way or another."