NO FLAMES PLEASE! IF YOU DON'T LIKE THIS YOU DON'T HAVE TO READ IT, NO ONE IS MAKING YOU! IN DOING THAT YOU WASTED MINUTES OF YOUR LIFE THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET BACK, WHICH YOU COULD HAVE SPENT READING SOMETHING YOU DO LIKE. IF YOU DISLIKE THIS THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER FICTIONS TO READ.
Hi everyone here is the latest chapter of The Scarlet Emperor. I'm grateful for all your reviews and responses to this fiction.
I'm glad you liked the Extra chapter. Honestly though when I was writing it there were times I thought why did I decided to do this? My ideas pool kept drying up. A lot of the monarchs of the last chapters are based on real monarchs and actual historical events. It's mostly English history because that it what I know best, but there is also some French, Russian, Romanian and Ancient (Roman) history.
Influences and inspiration for this chapter came from:
Alistair MacLean's 1967 novel Where Eagles Dare – they made the film a year later.
The 90s CBS TV series American Gothic.
The anime series Legend of the Galactic Heroes.
Richard Fleischer's 1958 film The Vikings
William Shakespeare's Titus Adronicus
Frank Herbert's novel Dune.
Shark's Tooth is based on the island of Gorgossium and the palace of Christopher Carrion – The Lord of Midnight. He is a character from Clive Barker's Abarat series of books.
The rating of this story has gone up because there is a lemon in this chapter. Initially I wasn't going to have any at all but it kind of slipped in.
The names for my characters come from all the place, I don't mean to transplant characters from one universe to the other. I just pick a name of a character or a voice actor from a manga/anime that I like and create new names from those. Some of you have spotted that I've used names from Bleach and Naruto.
I've given Asami children, I didn't want him to die the last of his line. I know I said he didn't have any but I have gone back fitted them in and reworked past chapters to give consistency. Read the Extra chapter and that gives the whole story. I don't think they'll make appearance, but just be mentioned. I've also added some details to my extra chapter and tried to tidy it and the others up some more.
I don't own the Finder series. I don't own any of the characters.
Chapter 4 – A Tiger's lair and A Leopard's den.
The group made their way through the mist, their path carved out by the two guides in front who set a slow but steady pace. They were so sure of their path it was as if they didn't need the light to find their way. The light from the lamps only penetrated a little way into the gloom. The thick mist created a sense of claustrophobia, of being cut off from the outside world. The wind whipped around them, and the rain came down in a fine drizzle.
Nevertheless this inclement weather did clear. The speed at which it did so was reminder of how in such places the weather is fast moving and unpredictable. The rays of the Sun cut through the mist, though they were still assailed by a brisk north wind. The improved visibility meant that the lamps could be put out, and their speed increased. They travelled on for about another hour, when one of the guides stopped. He turned to face the party, cupped his hands to his mouth and said "Gentlemen we are now entering the most treacherous section of Komaru pass. On the left there is a rock wall. On the right is a sheer drop into the ocean. Because this section so narrow we'll travel in single file. Oh and don't look down."
The two guides went first, then Captain Touchi, a guard, then Akihito followed by another guard, Asami who was followed by the rest of them. As Akihito made his way along the narrow cliff path he looked out to sea. The sun would be setting in a few hours, there were some ships on the water, and he got a good bird's eye view of Shark's Tooth. The great black spike of its main tower pierced the sky and stood tall for all to see. Akihito then looked down. It was a sheer drop, if you fell there was nothing that could save you. All that awaited you was death on the rocks below.
After this section had been crossed the group travelled along in silence. So every hoof fall, every bird cry, every little sound was amplified tenfold. The riders were riding two abreast. Akihito was riding next to the Emperor, and all this silence was taking its toll on Akihito. He wanted to talk, for when he gets nervous he starts babbling. However he was riding next to the Emperor. And protocol forbids him from speaking to Asami unless he is spoken to first. So Akihito had no choice but to tough it out. Not that he actually wanted hear the arrogant man's voice but it's better than nothing. Asami on the other hand was enjoying the silence, as it was something he rarely got to enjoy.
Suddenly the two guides in front came to an abrupt stop, they seem to have reacted to a bird call and one of the guides at the rear came running towards the front. "There are heavy snow clouds coming up fast from the south."
"There's no chance that they'll miss us is there?"
"None."
As one of the guides turned to face the riders behind him, another handed him a telescope and he looked to the south. Handing it back to his compatriot he said "All right everyone we are soon to be hit by a great grandfather of a snow storm. We can't out run it but we can weather it. And before anyone asks no we can't carry on. I'm not risking my men. None of you are trained to deal with these mountains."
"Is there anywhere we can take shelter?" Asked Asami
"No your majesty, we'll have to stay out in the there is a cache of supplies nearby which will help. If we reach it in time."
The snow was coming down fast by the time they reached a small cave. As two of the guides bounded up to it and began removing rolled up bales of cloth, another came forward to speak to Asami and the others. "The horses can shelter in the cave. I assume that you all have bed rolls. Ok good we don't have time to pitch these tents, so this is what we'll do, the tent canvas will be laid on the ground with your bed roll in it, you'll get into your bed roll and the rest of the tent will be pulled over you, you'll be totally covered up by it. The snow will then cover you and provide some insulation. And by the way we don't have enough tents for everyone so find yourself a bunk mate. Let's get the horses settled down for the night."
As the last horse was stabled in the cave Akihito was walking towards Byakuya when he felt a weight on his shoulder. Akihito didn't have to look up to know whose hand was resting on his shoulder 'Oh shit'
"Captain." Said Asami "I'll be sharing with Takaba -san tonight, inform our guides that were ready."
"Wouldn't you prefer to share with one of your own men your majesty? Byakuya and I would be more than happy to share with one another."
Asami looked over Akihito's head "He seems to be quite happy to share with Gin. And after all shouldn't a monarch get to know all his subjects?"
The way that Asami had of getting in the last word was infuriating to Takaba, especially because Akihito likes to have the last word and is very used to doing so. "I can't imagine what about me your majesty would wish to know? I'm not that special"
"Takaba – san false modesty does not become you."
"Who says it's false. I may have done good or notable things, but I don't see any reason to shout out on the rooftops of Harakeen what they are. I'm not conceited or important enough to need to do so."
"So would you consider me conceited? After all don't I have my achievements proclaimed across the empire?"
"That's different matters of national interest are important for everyone to know. Plus as a leader are not great deeds one of the ways that you use to get people to follow you? If you didn't talk about them how would people know what they were?
Now this discussion could have gone on for ages, despite the fact that both men were standing in freezing mountain pass, with snow coming down upon them. Neither side was willing to back down. For Akihito it was a point of pride. For Asami it was simulating. Kirishima and Suoh may lock horns with him but they never go all the way, they would defer to him in the end. His mother would challenge him but she would just accept whatever he chose to do. But this little leopard was different he didn't back down. He seemed to want to take him on, even knowing how dangerous and powerful he was. Asami knew that even if Akihito acceded to his wishes or ran away, he would come back fighting the next time. Takaba Akihito was the sort of person who retreats but never surrenders.
A tent was laid out on the ground along with Asami's and Akihito's bedrolls, both men got into them and the tent was pulled over them, enveloping them in darkness.
"You can come closer Takaba- san, we are supposed to sharing body heat. I don't bite."
"That's not what I've heard." Said Akihito, who instantly regretted opening his mouth.
"And what have you heard?"
"Only, only that your majesty has put aside his official mistress."
"You mean Lord Sudoh Shu he was adequately compensated."
"Well your majesty may do as you please, you have heirs so you don't need to marry again but…"
"But what?"
"I'm surprised that you would take a mistress, instead of the concubines you were offered."
"And why is that?"
"Well a mistress is an inferior, an object owned by you. If you lay down with dogs you get fleas. If you choose to spend time with those who are inferior to you, then it's detrimental you to." There was an air of moral superiority in Akihito's voice, and Asami smirked in the dark. No one for very a long had even dared to suggest that they were superior to him in anything.
"The people that you surround yourself with could easily be called your inferiors. Has not all the time you've spent with them been detrimental to you?"
"But I'm not anyone's master, I'm there equal and they are mine. I can't believe that a relationship between a master and their mistress is an equal one."
"I can understand why some call you a dangerous nuisance if you believe that those of low birth are equal to you, a person in whose veins flows the blood of kings. There have been examples of mistresses who have been equal and more to their masters."
"No one can be your equal if you call them your master."
"Did someone try to persuade you to become their mistress?" Asked Asami
Akihito fidgeted a little "Once, I in turn persuaded them it was a bad idea."
"I never knew that you had such violent tendencies Takaba - san."
"Your majesty even the meekest creature defends itself when threatened. I told him that I would never be anyone's pet.
"Why shouldn't I have as you so eloquently put it pets? I've done my duty and produced what people term the heir and the spare. You know that for those of use of noble birth emotion has little to do with marriage. Aren't I entitled to a little fun out of life?"
"And what about freewill? Do your pets choose by virtue of their own freewill to be the object of your pleasure?"
"Freewill?" Asami laughed and the sound rubbed against Akihito's skin as seductive and soft as black velvet. "Takaba- san reminded me one day to tell you all about the illusion of freewill."
The next day with the snow thick on the ground the travellers made their way out of the Kierik Mountains. One of the guides blew a horn and they made their way down the slopes to the valley below. Beyond the Boa valley was the Hagran Mountains, these mountains marked the official border between the Asai Empire and the kingdom of Valaren. The ownership of the Boa Valley had been in dispute for centuries. The land had constantly passed ownership from one nation to the other. At the moment the valley belongs to the Asai Empire. The valley itself is densely wooded, with a river running through it. It not an area that people live in, it's totally wild. However it was possible to see the ruins of buildings, for at various points in time both sides had attempted to settle in the valley. But with the near constant fighting these settlements became battlegrounds, and in the end those that weren't killed in the ongoing conflict just departed.
To Asami it said a great deal about Tora that he had chosen to set up camp in this place. The thick forest made tracking difficult, plus it was widely believed that the valley was haunted. Haunted by the settlers that were killed and by soldiers re-enacting there final battles. Just as they made it to the tree line two men steeped out. Both were wrapped in the same grey green mottled cloaks as the four guides. "These are the guests of Tora let them know him know they've arrived." One of the newcomers darted into the undergrowth. The other man pulled down their hood, revelling that he was a she. The women had chestnut hair tied back into a braid and grey eyes. She fell in line with the two guides at the front, and they entered the forest. Like the men she had a bow and quiver strapped to her back, as she moved so did her cloak and it was possible to see the Khukuri knives strapped to her sides. The imperial navy, army and secret service all had women among their ranks. Asami had some in his personal guard. So seeing an armed women in the empire is not unusual and this women had the air of an experienced warrior.
"No wonder people say this place is haunted." Said Byakuya to Gin. The dense canopy of the trees filtered only a little light to the ground below, pitching the forest into an almost permanent twilight.
"Yes, but I think the sprits have a little earthly help." Gin looked up, in the trees and saw several devices suspended in the trees. Some were made of twine and hollow bits of wood, others were twine and metal. No doubt when the wind blew the wooden devices created noises akin to that of moaning sprits, and when the bits of metal clattered together they would sound like weapons clashing. These sounds would echo throughout the valley, it was clear that Tora and his group were very keen on keeping people away.
As they travelled along the forest road Asami and his guards took note of the fact that they were being watched. Asami was not in the least insulted by this, if he'd been in Tora's position he would have done the same. After all the enemy of your enemy is not always your friend, and since time immemorial friends have betrayed one another.
"We're here." Said the women as they turned a corner and came to far reaching clearing. There were houses in the trees, connected by rope bridges, there were elevators and pulleys to get people and objects into the trees. There were homes and animal pens on the ground, as well as plots for vegetables and herbs. Some of the shelters on the ground incorporated the remaining stone runes into their own structures. .The people looked briefly at the newcomers as they passed by, but said nothing and got back to their tasks. From what Asami could tell they were breaking camp plants were being dug up and potted, the houses in the trees were being dismantled and the rope bridges brought done and rolled up.
The riders dismounted and the horses were led away, the four men who had guided them all the way here now stood in front of the travellers and revealed their faces. "I should have known it was you four." Said Akihito a little indignant. Asami looked at Akihito "Your Majesty allow me to present the four sons of Tora. And before anyone asks they are not two sets of twins. All four were pulled from their mother on the same night."
One of them smiled and scratched the back of his head "Sorry about deceiving you Akihito-san but it was necessary. Each looked to be around twenty one years of age, was around five foot nine inches, had tanned weather beaten skin, brown hair and eyes. And from left to right they introduced themselves "I'm Yasutora Rokuro."
"Yasutora Tomu."
"Yasutora Masaki."
"Yasutora Ken."
"Don't worry if you can't remember who is who just shout 'Quad' and we'll answer." Said Rokuro cheerfully.
Masaki cleared his throat "I do believe we are keeping father waiting."
The Quads led Asami and the others a little way out of the camp to a pond surrounded by Cedar trees. Under one tree was a man sitting on a log in front of a small fire, to sides were two other longer logs. As they got closer the man stood up "Your majesty may I present our father." Said Ken "Yasutora Arashi." Asami spends a lot of time looking down at people because there are few who match his height, however Tora was not such man. He had the same tanned, weather beaten skin as his sons and the same brown eyes. But his hair black hair was curled and shot through with grey. The sleeveless shirt he wore showed not only the thick ropes of muscle on his arms but the scars to. Someone once said of him "He looks as if he's been fathered by a black ram in the light of the full moon."
Tora stood and bowed, it was not a particularly low bow, certainly not the kind of bow that a man of his status should give to Asami, his sons moved to stand behind their father. Tora gestured for them all to sit and did so himself. Asami knew that he was being tested by this tiger. "May I know why your majesty would come all this way to meet with a common outlaw?"
"You're hardly a common outlaw, from all I have heard of you Yasutora – san. I wish to pick your brain."
"I can't imagine what would there that would be of interest to your majesty."
"You were Captain of the personal guard of both the current Duke of Kessel and his father. Sufficient to say if anyone outside the family knows the layout the Duke's residences it would be you. And I think that would also include the layout of the Eyrie."
Tora leaned back against the tree "And what makes you think I would help you? I've served the Amasawa family all my life, I fought against you in the last civil war. What reason do I have to fight for you now?"
"Revenge. You were a loyal retainer and look how you were repaid. Your daughter raped, you and your sons outlawed. I know you tried to kill my cousin, I can't say I blame you as the father of a daughter myself I would have done the same."
Tora took a breath, and he turned his head a looked towards the pond. "My daughter's name was Hitomi. She was the baby, all sweetness and light. One day we found her on the moor, she'd been raped, her tongue cut out and her hands chopped off. One day I had an idea, I held a staff between my wrists and teeth, and in the dirt I showed her as I wrote my name. I bid her to write the name of her attacker if she could. She wrote the name Amasawa Seiya. Later that day she drowned herself." Tora cast aside the memories of his daughter and looked at Asami grimly "If I help you I want something in return."
"Amasawa will die you have my word on that, and you will be pardoned."
"I have no doubt the Duke will die. But I don't care about myself. I want a pardon for my sons, for the men and women under my command who followed me when I fled. I also want aid for the people you saw on the way in. They are inhabitants of the village of Darion – my home village. As part of my punishment the Duke burned the village to ground and killed half of the inhabitants. The need to rebuild before winter comes, and they need enough supplies to get them through it. And to give them a chance to start again"
"If you help me I promise that you, your sons and your comrades will receive full pardons, also the people of Darion will receive all the help they need to rebuild their lives."
There was a moment's silence "You have a deal your Majesty."
"Then tell me beside the front gate is there any other way into the Eyrie?"
"Yes, but there is no guarantee that it has not been blocked off since I left the Duke's service."
"I wouldn't have become emperor if I wasn't up to taking a few risks."
"I suppose not your majesty. What do you know about architecture of Kessel?"
"You don't have much wood in this region. So you use stone and peat. You don't just build on top of the rocks, but you build into them."
"And the Eyrie is no exception. Sections of it were carved out of the Two Sisters. Those two mountains are part of the Kierik mountain range, what most people don't know is that that mountain range is riddled with caverns, there is a whole network of them that stretch all the way through the mountains. The architect of the Eyrie incorporated some of those caverns into the design, there used as storage cellars."
"So it is possible to enter the cave system at some point along the Kierik Mountains and exit inside the Eyrie?"
"Yes but you would have to know the correct place enter and which route to take."
"And where would I find a person which such knowledge?"
"I happen to know five. Also there is a weakness in the walls of the Eyrie."
"That can't be" Said Captain Touchi "The Eyrie hasn't been taken since it was built, there have been numerous attempts to take it, if there was a weakness in the walls it would have been found by now."
"Well weakness is perhaps the wrong word. Soft spot is a more appropriate term. There is a culvert that runs out from underneath the west wall, it carries waste water out of the Eyrie. It's very well hidden and narrow." Said Tora
"But with enough explosives it would be possible to either bring down or blow a hole in the wall"
"Exactly your majesty."
"What about the caverns, how long would it take to get to the Eyrie?" said Asami.
"That would depend your majesty on where you entered. And as I've said before there is no guarantee that the Duke has not blocked off the cellars of the Eyrie. The existence of those caverns and where they lead is a secret of the Amasawa family."
"If it's a secret how do you about them?"
"The Duke's father who was a far better man than his son taught me, and he allowed me teach my boys. He trusted me. The Duke may has the knowledge but unlike his father he wouldn't share it. He truly believes in the invincibility of the Eyrie, he would never admit to anyone not even himself that it has a weakness."
"So in your estimation the caverns have not been blocked?"
"No."
"So it is possible to enter and exit the Eyrie unnoticed?"
"Theoretically yes, is that your plan your majesty to take the Eyrie from within?"
"What I want to do is extract the Duchess and her son. I'll prick my cousin's pride, I wouldn't put it past him to kill them rather than let them go. Once his dead the Dukedom can smoothly pass to his son, with the Duchess to act as his regent. A team comprised of both my men and yours will enter the Eyrie and extract them both, also Takaba-san will accompany."
"Me?! You majesty?"
"Yes you Takaba –san. You said that your fathers were friends and that you knew each other as children, I presume she would trust you."
"I suppose so we were up until recently still seeing each other."
"Takaba-san I'm sure you'll be able to persuade her." Said Tora, who though not comfortable with the idea of Akihito being part of the mission fully understood the importance of Akihito's part. "Takaba-sama I've heard you speak, and I must say you do have a gift for oratory. Your speeches are quite fine once the profanities are removed."
Akihito blushed and mumbled to no one in particular "You call a certain a noble a lecherous, gratuitous, two faced bastard, and suddenly that's all anyone remembers."
"When you do it in public and to his face yes." Pointed out Tora.
"Gentleman." Said Asami raising his voice ever so slightly "I do believe we are straying off topic. As I was saying Takaba-san you'll be entering the Eyrie to persuade her grace to leave with you."
Akihito though for a little while on this "I know she does hate her husband but Yuko-san was brought up to stick by her family no matter what, I don't know how easy it'll be to persuade her to leave him"
"However the Duke's actions this time may have pushed aside that sentiment, I saw him strike her. By the time I left they couldn't even be in the same room as one another."
"Plus" injected Asami "Surely she would want to bargain for the safety of her son?"
"But you said you would let them live!" Akihito leapt to his feet and rounded on Asami his eyes blazing with fury.
"Calm yourself Takaba-san. I shall let them live but she doesn't know that."
Akhito sat back down and was trying to think of a word bad enough to call Asami, when another though invaded his mind "What about the guards? Both Yuko-san and her son will be under guard."
"Your escort will deal with them quickly and quietly. Anyway most of the solders inside will be too busy to notice you."
"I begin to see your majesty's plan." Said Tora "You will blow up the culvert to create a distraction. The men inside the Eyrie will be distracted not only by the explosion but also by the troops that your majesty will no doubt send in. While this is occurring Yuko–sama and her son will be extracted, then escape via the caverns."
"You've expounded the plot well Yasutora–san, which is very good because you will be part of the extraction team. Between you and Akihito I'm sure you'll be able to assure of her of my honourable intentions."
Asami, Akihito and the others spent the night at Tora's camp, were they found Tora and his people to be generous hosts. The camp fire roared, food and wine flowed freely, the music loud and the dancing pretty wild. Akihito sat next to Asami and both men observed a rather nervous looking Gin being dragged off into the treeline by a two well-endowed young women. "There goes Gin." Said Captain Touchi."
"And his virginity with him I would imagine." Said Asami.
"I doubt he'll miss it my lord." Said Kurosaki Kyo who stood up and cleared his throat "Now I shall regale you all with my latest lyrical masterpiece. There was a young girl from Adric's Bay. Who many a lad spent a day's pay."
The next day awoke many a soul who vowed never to drink again. Once everyone had sufficiently recovered Asami's group prepared to leave, and Tora's people finished dismantling their camp. It had been decided the previous night that Kurosaki Kyo and one other of Asami's guards would be taken to reconnoitre the area around the Eyrie and to introduce them to the Kierik cave network. Yasutora Ken and Masaki, as well as the woman they met the previous day now known to them as Sora would guide them. Tora's remaining sons along with two others would guide the visitors out of the valley and back down Komaru pass. Yasutora Rokuro would remain with them, and stay with Akihito. He would act as a liaison between his father and Asami.
The journey out of the valley and along the pass were uneventful, and the weather was fine. Akihito spent most of his time talking with Byakuya and Gin. When they first met Akihito thought that Gin's name was familiar, upon speaking to him further Akihito discovered that Gin was from a famous Ouran military family. Asami didn't pay Akihito much attention his spent his time either talking to Captain Touchi or the Yasutora brothers. The rest of the time he didn't say a word but Akihito could see the wheels in his head turning. Not that this bothered Akihito in the slightest, the emperor did after all irritate him. But nevertheless Akihito had to admit the verbal sparring with him was rather fun. There was something about the man especially when he produced that sphinx like smile that made Akihito itch to get one over the man, to wipe that self-satisfied smile off his face.
Asami however was not as indifferent as Akihito thought him. Yes he had been thinking about his cousin and the Eyrie, but every now and then thoughts of Takaba Akihito would invade his mind. Akihito would be a great lover, however persuading Akihito of that he knew would be a monumental task. Akihito's part in the upcoming operation would keep him close, so to would redevelopment of Alizgarth which Asami planned to personally oversea. Asami was aware that Akihito was not indifferent to him, but he was different to Asami past lovers. They usually threw themselves at him or he approached them. And since both sides knew the rules of the game very little effort was required on Asami's part.
So far during his reign Asami has had a string of short term mistress and two official mistresses. Lord Sudoh Shu had been Asami's official mistress for the past three years. The title of official mistress brings with it a lot of unofficial power, because of the amount of private access it gives one person to the monarch. When people such as foreign diplomats come to court one of the people they always make time to call upon is the official mistress. They great brokers and wielders of power. Even Asami's mother who hated being an official mistress did on more than one occasion make full use of that power and influence.
However power can corrupt individuals and so it was in the case of Sudoh Shu. He not only began to use his power to humiliate those who thought were trying to usurp his position as official mistress, and those who he simply didn't like. Sudoh also began to use his power to influence, public, royal and military appointments. And this was to degree allowed as it was part of the unofficial court rules, the official mistress may wield what power that have as long as it is not done in public. As Sudoh grew more confident this was a rule he didn't keep to. The final straw came when he Sudoh got involved with a plot to assassinate the eldest daughter of the Duchess of Vorak.
Vorak is the only province in the empire which is ruled not by a duke but by a duchess. The duchy is passed from mother to daughter. A cousin of Sudoh's was married to the duchess' second daughter. If his sister in law could be removed permanently from the line of succession his wife would become her mother's heiress, and he hoped to rule through his wife. The plot was quickly discovered and so was Sudoh's part in it. Asami had Sudoh's cousin and the other conspirators executed. Asami however knew he couldn't execute Sudoh, in fact his whole part in the affair was hushed up. A few months later Sudoh was exiled from court and retired to a small estate in his home region of Agaron.
It's expected for an emperor to have a mistress or a concubine. It is seen as a reflection on the virility of the emperor and on the dynasty as a whole. So if Sudoh's part in the assassination plot had come out, it would have been asked how a man who can't control his own mistress could possibly control an empire?And truth be told was glad to see the back of Sudoh his petty jealousies and clingy, needy behaviour had become nothing but an irritant.
The good weather they had experienced did not last and on the second day the group was hit by a vicious storm, so they took a refuge and decided to spend that night in the ruins of Alizgarth. That night when the others had gone to sleep, Akihito slipped past the men on watch and began to wonder around his former home. Alizgarth is now a ruin but Akihito could still see as it once was. He could see the tapestries on the walls, smell bread baking and hear the maids gossiping. It was as if the stones had recorded everything they had witnessed over the nine hundred years that the castle had stood. The castle may have been a ruin but they didn't mean that there wasn't any strength left here. Plants clung to the stones borrowing their strength, and stone leopards still stood with their fangs bared. It was the abundance of leopards in the architecture and decoration of Alizgarth that led it to be known as The Leopard's Den. Akihito wiped his eyes he didn't even realise he was crying he was just so lost in the memories of this place, of his parents, of a golden time when it seemed that nothing could go wrong.
Akihito made his way out of the main gate and then along little path that led into the trees. He could as a child remember running along this path trying to escape his mother as she tried to get him to come in for his lessons. The path took him to a grove, the ground was thick with red leaves as the trees were beginning to lose them. Akihito could help but take a deep breath the smell of leaves and wet earth made sad but he couldn't help but smile. In the centre of the grove was a Big Red. Big Red is the oldest and largest Alizarin tree. Akihito leaned back against Big Red "Come out I know you're following me. You've been flowing me since I went out the gate." From behind a tree appeared Asami. He was a very light sleeper and had heard Akihito get up, and he had been observing him since then. Watching the boy run his hands over the stones of his former home. Asami thought that Akihito leaning up against a tree in the moonlight looked a forest spirit.
"Oh it's you." Said Akihito his smile wasn't at all submissive and he did bow or use the correct address, but that didn't bother Asami in the least; as if in this place everything that mattered in the outside world had been stripped away and they stood as equals in a new world. "Do you like Alizgarth?" Asked Akihito.
"Yes very much."
"Good it would be odd to own a place you don't like."
"So you will sell?"
"Yes. The Leopard's Den will become The Dragon's Den."
Asami came towards Akihito like a big cat stalking its prey and rested one arm on the tree above Akihito's head. "I think Alizgarth will always be The Leopard's Den."
"Why would not the dragon wish to stake its claim? Why would it want to share?"
"It would share but only with a creature that had proved itself."
"And the leopard has done this?"
"The leopard has shown that it is a brave as a lion, as swift as a pard and a skilled survivor."
"And most unsusceptible to flattery."
Asami hand brushed Akihito's hair lightly "If the dragon wanted to flatter the leopard it would tell it how beautiful and soft its coat is." Asami fingers began to caress Akihito's cheek "That its eyes are unlike any others it has ever seen." Asami cupped Akihito's chin "The dragon would tell the leopard how enchanting it looks when its jaw is set in determination."
"This doesn't mean anything." Said Akihito
Asami laced his fingers with Akihito's and pinned his arms above his head "Is that the way you want it no heart? No soul?"
Akihito looked into Asami's eyes which had deepened from gold to amber, they seem to glow in the dark "Yes"
"All right then." There was laughter in Asami's voice. For even in this moment of surrender Akihito was still issuing a challenge.
Asami took Akihito's lips in small tastes, as if he was relishing the taste and texture of Akihito's lips. First one then the other, then he pressed a kiss to the corners. He sucked on Akihito's lips, he used his tongue to map the shape of them. His tongue dove between Akihito's lips and swept the inside of Akihito's mouth. Asami realised Akihito's hands, and they clasped around Asami's neck, Akihito's fingers found their way into Asami's hair savouring the smooth thickness.
Akihito could feel the bark of the tree scraping against his back, snagging his skin. Asami's hands clamped around Akihito's waist and lifted him off the ground, instinctively Akihito wrapped his legs around Asami. Akihito pulled away and fastened his mouth to Asami's neck, he traced the lines on Asami's neck, nipped at the flesh making his way up to Asami's earlobe, and Akihito took it between his teeth. Asami massaged Akihito buttocks, traced the line between them with his fingertips. The sound of Akihito's breath in Asami ear was like thunder. Akihito realised Asami's ear lobe and tightened his legs around Asami.
Asami lowered Akihito to the ground, his pale skin stood out in stark contrast to the red and bronze leaves. Akihito looked on as Asami stripped his clothes from his body. He stood there in the moonlight in all his glory, as if he was daring Akihito to look away. But Akihito couldn't look away he was fascinated. Asami's body was hard and lean, there were no soft edges. Akihito's eyes cast their gaze downward to Asami's thickening erection. The man was large, larger than his previous lovers and thicker to. For the first time Akihito was worried that he wouldn't be able to accommodate Asami. Asami pulled off Akihito's boots which were he threw over his shoulder, Akihito's trouser met the same fate.
Asami stretched out beside Akihito and began to place a most gentle combination of licks, kisses and nips on Akihito's jaw. Akihito tilted his head back giving Asami access to his throat. Asami could feel Akihito's pulse beneath the surface of his skin as his tongue caressed the soft flesh, it was strong and fast. Asami's blazed a path to Akihito's nipples taking each one in turn between his teeth. His tongue swept across and around them. As Asami's tongue swept across the hardened peaks of his nipples. His nails clawed at Asami's skin as if he was trying to tear his way in. His back arched off the ground "Fuck. More ah, ah now." Said Akihito. Asami stopped and reared up, he looked down at Akihito. The marks of passion that adorned Akihito's neck, chest and arms filled him with a pride and the desire to leave more. He wanted to tell the world who it was that inflamed the desire of this proud and passionate boy. Asami wanted his territory clearly marked.
"You want more do you? You are an impatient little thing. Hasn't anyone ever told you that patience is a virtue? And good things come to those who wait?"
"Patience isn't my first virtue."
"Mine neither." Asami's hand locks around Akihito's throat keeping his head in place. "Don't take your eyes off me." Asami's other hand takes hold of Akihito's hardening cock. He spread the pearls of pre-cum around the head and along the shaft, making time to use his nails to tease Akihito's balls. Asami then began to pump Akihito's cock slowly at first, but then with increasing vigour. Each time Akihito was close to ejaculating Asami would apply pressure just under the head of his penis, wait for a little while and then begin to tease or torture Akihito again. Akihito lost count the amount times this happened. He couldn't really think at all he could just feel. To Asami Akihito's cries of passion and frustration were a sweet symphony. Deciding that he had tortured Akihito enough he brought his aching cock to its desired release.
As Akihito fought to catch his breath, Asami's hand released his throat and cock. Asami smiled and said "See good things do come to those who wait."
"Bastard."
"Tell me something I don't already know." Replied Asami as he pressed his fingers to Akihito's lips, they parted and in slipped Asami's fingers. The taste of his own cum and Asami made Akihito's blood sing, his tongue caressed Asami's fingers, sucked them with all the vigour he was capable of, he memorised each line, each callous. Asami abruptly pulled his fingers from Akihito's mouth, they glistened with the boy's saliva. Asami took hold of Akihito's legs and pulled him towards him, so that his lower body was flush with Asami chest and his legs hung spread over Asami's shoulders. Asami wrapped an arm around Akihito making sure that they boy couldn't escape from him. Taking a wet finger Asami circled the delicate ring of muscle that had been exposed to him. Asami applied a little more pressure and looked on in delight as Akihito gritted his teeth and clawed at the earth. Asami tongue replaced his finger and lapped like a cat, his tongue swept inside with broad sweeping strokes. Then once again Asami's fingers went to work two of them plunged in and began to scissor away inside of Akihito stretching and widening the tight passage they were in. They dug deep and Akihito's muscles clenched around them, gripping them refusing to let them go. A third finger joined the others inside of Akihito and then they found what they were looking for. Asami's ministrations to Akihito's prostate broke the last of Akihito's self-control and he howled in pleasure, the sounds ripped from his throat echoed throughout the night.
Asami withdrew his fingers and lowered Akihito to the ground "Tell me what you want."
"What?"
"Tell me, beg me to satisfy you."
Akihito narrowed his eyes in irritation "I don't need you to do that, I can do it myself." Said Akihito defiantly. As he was about to reach for his cock Asami seized both his both his wrists in one hand and held them with all strength of an iron shackle. At that moment Akihito wanted to wipe the smug, self-satisfied smirk off Asami perfectly chiselled jaw. But lust and love are two states of being in which reason, logic and pride tend to go out of the window. A vivid shade of red bloomed across Akihito's cheeks. "Let me go "he told Asami who realised Akihito's wrists. Akihito shuffled a little way from Asami, he felt the leaves tickling his skin as he moved. Akihito rolled onto his stomach, arched his back "I want you to fuck me Asami Ryuichi. I want your cock inside me now. And that's what you want to. That body that you're oh so proud of is fit to burst. It wants me, it's desperate for me. I'm tired of games and my patience has run out. So Asami Ryuichi Emperor of the Asai why don't you show me just how well the most powerful man in the land fucks. That's if you can handle me of course?"
Asami's hand fisted in Akihito's hair, he pulled his head up exposing his neck "And what makes you think you can handle me?"
"What makes you think I can't?"
Asami laughter reverberated throughout Akihito's body, he slammed his cock into Akihito, as he bit deeply down onto the boy's neck. Akihito screamed as pleasure and pain melded into one overwhelming sensation. Asami's hands were firmly clamped around Akihito's waist, Asami set a hard and fast pace that didn't take Akihito long to match. Akihito's muscles wrapped themselves around the exquisite steel that was Asami's cock. Akihito's cries spurred him on, each thrust came harder and faster than the next. The sound of Asami's breath in Akihito's ear was perhaps the most erotic thing he'd heard in a long time, his arm came up and wound around Asami's neck, his nails dug into the back of Asami's neck leaving bloody crescents in their wake. "Come for me Akihito. Scream for me as I come inside you" Asami took hold of Akihito's throbbing erection and began to bring it to stroke it to release. "More, I, I, Uggh! Asami. More please more. By all the gods don't stop!" Akihito's mind was so caught up in sensation, it felt as ever nerve had become centred in one place. They came together, electrical currents surging through their bodies, the pleasure of one fed and heightened the pleasure of the other.
Asami rolled on to his back, taking Akihito with him. As Asami couldn't yet bring himself to separate from Akihito. Asami continued to play with Akihito's nipples, with each touch to the sensitive peaks Asami's cock was bathed in warmth. And so they lay there under the trees breathless, sated, all the cares and responsibilities of the world forgotten.
Rate and Review please. I'm working off notice period at work and I start University next week so I don't know when I'll update this or the Good Samaritan. But I do intend to finish both of these stories one way or the other.
Extra Stuff
Pard – Is an archaic name for the leopard. A pard is a legendary creature. It's a feline with a spotted coat and known to be extremely fast. It was believed that the matting of a lion and pard produced a leopard.
Darion - A mid sized farming community in Kessel. It's in the Allama region - which is south of Rokuhara
Vorak
This province lays to the east of Ouran. It's a very dry and arid land. They can't farm much in the traditional way so the inhabitants use hydroponics and aeroponics to grow crops. They have enormous wind traps, some of them man made to collect water. Water is perhaps the most precious resource in Vorak, the whole society is geared towards the preservation of water. The people of this land are tough
There is a large nomadic population, however there are large settlements throughout the province including several ports. Gold mining provides a great deal of income for the province. Which does make it one of the wealthier provinces.
Vorak is unusual in that it ruled by women out right, and is the only one of the twelve provinces in which the Duchy is passed down the female and not the male line. So the eldest daughter inherits the title from her mother. The husband of the incumbent duchess is known as the Lord Consort.
Vorak has the smallest population out of any of the twelve provinces, so polygamy or the taking of concubines among all levels of society is not frowned upon at all.
The province was at one point in history was a Kingdom in own right and ruled by a successive line of Queens for seven hundred years. Ryuichi the Third spent nearly ten years trying to conquer Vorak, in the end a deal was brokered between the Queen of Vorak and Ryuichi the Third. He would marry the Princess of Vorak and upon the Queen's death the Kingdom would become a province of the empire, the eldest daughter or granddaughter of the Princess of Vorak and Ryuichi the Third would rule as Duchess of Vorak when she came of age. And all the subsequent duchesses are the descendants of that daughter. The deal was not popular with the people of Vorak at the time, but they understood it was for the best. Nearly a decade of war had worn them and their country down.
Vorak was the second province after Ouran to declare itself for Asami during the most recent civil war. Much to surprise of the empire and Asami himself. The Duchesses of Vorak have traditionally been keepers of balance,they are not given to radical actions or rocking the boat. When Asami asked the Duchess why she had declared for him, she said that she hated his aunt the Duchess of Kessel and would rather pluck her own eyes out then bow down to that woman and her progeny. And have been stern supporters of the Scarlet Emperor ever since.
The colours of Vorak are black and white. The Duchy is ruled by the Kikuchi family, the family symbol is a black cobra on a yellow background.
The Hinamori Family
They are not a noble family, but are old, distinguished and well respected. The family is a military one, with the majority of its members serving in the army. The family first came to prominence some eight hundred years ago (but it is believed that the military connection goes back much further), and have produced some of the most well-known and successful generals the empire has ever seen. They are from Ouran, and have an equally famous horse ranch there. And they supply horses to the imperial army.
During the civil war the Hinamori family was spilt in two. The older generation fought for Amasawa Seiya. The younger generation sided Asami. This was perhaps because he befriended a lot of them in younger days. And so they believed in him and his ability to be a good emperor. The Hinamori are loyal, brave, cunning and known for always keeping their word. When a Hinamori is in command they unless there is a very good reason will always lead from the front.
During the reign of Ryuichi the Sixth the family was granted both an estate in Ouran and the right to bear their own family symbol. The home of the Hinamori is built around a great tor (think of Glastonbury Tor) and the castle is called Griffin's Tor. And the family symbol is a red griffin on a grey background (In heraldry the griffin denotes strength, military courage and leadership.)
They may be not be of noble blood but the Hinamori are well respected throughout the empire, unlike the Samehada whose origins are equally as humble. This is because the Hinamori's ancestor are viewed as respectable, noble warriors. While the Samehada's are seen as coming from some of the worst districts of the port cities of the empire.
The current head of the family is General Hinamori Kazuhiko. He is also Hinamori Gin's uncle.
The Earth Goddess – Neferkari
Neferkari is depicted in paintings and statues as a women with warm ochre coloured skin, she has three eyes gold in colour and one is in the centre of her forehead. She has long green hair that falls to her knees and it's entwined with flowers and fruit.
She is the goddess of the Earth, women, childbirth, agriculture, marriage and fertility. In the creation story she was the one who moulded from clay the bodies of the first men and women.
Her and Kalour have never gotten they constantly fight with one another, because of erosion of her earth by his sea. So when there are tidal waves, earthquakes and other such phenomenon is said to be the result of them fighting. However her dislike of Kalour could actually stem from the fact that he tried to seduce her once. And she sent him packing with a flea in his ear.
Neferkari is queen of the earth spirits like the nymphs and dryads. Despite the fact that she has occasional spats with Kalour Neferkari is one of the more placid gods.
Neferkari is the only one of the gods to make her own spouse. When she was looking for a husband no one wither they be god or human met her standards. So in the end she got fed and decided that she was going to make her own husband. She took a section of the Kierik Mountains (which is why the mountain range doesn't stretch all the northern borders of the empire) craved the stone into a man, and breathed life into him. This man's name was Taron. And he was everything she created him to be, Taron became god of the hunt and protector of animals. When an animal is killed on a hunt it's traditional to give thanks to Taron and the animal.
Taron and Neferkari are the most devoted of couples. They went on to have quadruplets, these daughters are representative of the four seasons. – Keilia (spring), Varon (summer), Shin-Rey (autumn) and Glacia (winter). Their only son Hultan is the blacksmith of the gods, he is also the god of blacksmiths, craftsman, builders, artisans, sculptors and fire