Part Sixty-Five:
Boris woke up early the next morning. He realized, to his dismay, he and Yuui were levitating in midair. He groaned and cursed his hangover as he dissipated his magic. He and sleeping Yuui were now snuggled on the futon once again. The worst part about having magic in his liver was getting drunk. All sorts of wild magic happened the few times he had gotten really drunk and slept it off.
Fortunately, King Ashura and Lord Suwa were too busy drinking and getting to know each other and didn't notice Boris had joined Yuui in his guest room. Boris presented Yuui with his gifts of cherries and seeds, finally, and it had deeply touched the healer. Boris' heart felt warm at Yuui's gratitude. Yuui then offered his kisses as a return gift. From there things intensified.
Boris wanted to part from Yuui the morning after, carefully, while the prince was asleep, and leave to Valeria where he could hide away. He had made love to Yuui that night intending this to be the last time, so he put all of his emotions into it and took extra care of Yuui's desires. It was the most intense sex he'd ever had and one moment that brought him closer to a person than he ever wanted to be.
Yuui had fallen asleep in Boris' arms murmuring about how much he detested him and how much he wanted him by his side. He stroked Yuui's hair and urge him to sleep with a low, soft voice. Boris drifted off after Yuui because of the pull of rice wine, even though it was his plan to sneak off afterwards.
He put on the kidney colored hakama and haori with navy under clothes and went softly out of the room, letting Yuui continue his sleep. He wanted to let Yuui tell his father in his own time about their relationship and not cause some sort of uproar if it were discovered they were together. After all, he'd pushed his luck enough with King Ashura.
He walked the hallways and ran into Kurogane. The ninja nodded in acknowledgement and asked how he slept.
"Very well. Thanks. So, any idea what's going to happen now?" Boris asked.
"Fai mumbled something about wanting to go back to Celes before he passed out from all his sake intake."
"Your little lady sure does know how to drink, for such a scrawny girl," Boris said with a smirk. "I suck at it."
"He can be such a lush, sometimes," Kurogane said. "I've seen him out drink sailors, and you can't get any worse than that."
"So, are you going to escort the duchess back to Celes?"
"Of course. He said something about that D title and wanting to test for it."
Boris snorted and shook his head. "He'll get it for sure. He's talented. But if you ever tell him I said that..."
"Are you kidding? It's tough enough keeping his bloated ego in check. Anyway, I'll go and stand by him."
"The most important thing you can get as a mage in my realm is getting the honor of putting the letter D in between your first and last name. Only the elite mages carry it. Yuui has to carry it before he is formally made king. Fai, well, I'm sure he was training for it because he was sent to Captain Demetri. I'm sure the twins want to make that achievement. It's a big test to see if you're a competent, creative mage."
"Figures. Did you ever go for it? What's it like? Fai won't suffer?"
"Yeah I had a D title, but it was stripped when I committed necromancy. The test is just mind numbing boredom and then you have to show off something special you can do at the end of the week. Fai will probably go stir crazy from the boredom, but that's all he'll suffer," Boris explained.
"You hungry?"
"I could use some food to dampen this hangover," Boris said, feeling an ache to the right side of his stomach. His liver was still not feeling normal from fighting the red clay soldiers; the alcohol only aggravated it.
"Come with me, Fai and Yuui," Ashura bid after breakfast. "I have a gift I want to give you."
All the guests from Celes were enjoying a Nihongo breakfast in the formal dining hall. All the soldiers were friendly and polite, but they were more forward than Nihongo culture. Many soldiers continued their shameless flirting with the maids and kitchen help, but actually, some girls did respond back to the mysterious, foreign soldiers with shy giggles and coy glances.
Ashura left with Fai and Yuui back to the empty prayer room. "Lady Suwa said we could have some privacy here." He shut the door behind him. The three of them sat on the floor in a small circle.
"I know how hard parting from one another is going to be on you. Yuui, it's more obvious with your anxiety out in the open. Fai, I'm sure you're in pain, too."
"I wish Kurogane could live in Celes or you both could live here. It just can't happen," Fai admitted sadly.
"That's why I'm giving you both a special piece of me so that you can continue to be with each other. At least, while at rest," Ashura said, lofting his hands. There was a magic void created in his palms. The twins gasped as sable fog floated from his head and then hardened into two amber colored crystals in his hands.
"That's not your magic, I can sense you still have that. What is it?" Fai asked.
"It's my dream-seer ability. I wanted to give you something to make things easier on you both. And I wanted to give you something to make up for what I've done to you both. I've hurt you deeply, and I know this is only a small token to atone for how I wronged you, but I want you to have it."
"But, Father, we can't take that from you. It's special, and..." Yuui said, but Ashura shook his head.
"I foresaw that I would give it up one day, but I never knew why. Now I know. I was fourteen when I dreamed part of this moment, but I couldn't see either of you at the time. I went right away to my mother. At first, I was nervous, but she calmed me and said surely I'd do it out of a great and deep love. She said that I should do it without fear and there were some things more precious than dream-seeing. Now I know a parent's love for his children is greater than dream-seeing.
"Let me give you this gift so you won't be parted from each other. It'd lighten my heart if you'd accept. But know that since I split my gift in two, you will only be able to enter each other's dreams, no one else's. Also, the aspect of seeing the future will be greatly diminished. You'll each have flashes and premonitions every now and again, but no full blown visions like a true dream-seer."
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Yuui asked.
"This is a big change for you," Fai pointed out, now looking worried.
"It's too late, now that I fractured it. You see, it's natural for a parent to sacrifice for his children and to give them his legacy. This is a piece of my legacy. It would give me a great joy to see you both embrace my legacy. Yuui, I bestow my kingdom to you. I know you'll be a different king than I am, and that's something I'll be eager to see. Fai, even though you're about to embrace another culture, you'll still have the things I taught you. Not just magic, but all the of the character I've instilled in you."
Fai snickered. "If only Kuro-tan could hear that. He swears you've created monster."
Ashura smiled back. "A lovable one, but a monster nonetheless." After a few, silent moments, Fai and Yuui finally nodded.
The crystals dissolved into smoke and sank into Fai and Yuui's head. They gave each other blank looks at first, and then looked at Ashura.
Ashura nodded and said, "You won't feel any different. When you sleep and dream, you'll be able to join the other's dream. That's the only difference you'll see, along with premonitions."
"Thank you, Father," Yuui said.
"Thanks," Fai said. "This does put me at ease. I'll still be able to look after Yuui."
"Good. Now, Fai, I want you to come back to Celes and test for your D title and participate in Yuui's coronation. Do you think you could do that much for me?"
"Of course! I told Kuro-min I wanted to test for it. And I have to get all my wonderful, Nihongo clothes back," Fai said. "Oh, can I invite Lord and Lady Suwa to the coronation?"
"Of course. I would be delighted to have them visit Celes."
Fai and Lady Suwa hugged and he said, "Don't worry. I'll be back to fetch you for Yuui's coronation in about two weeks. I promise a big party. We'll have such fun and you can see where I come from."
"Dress warm, Mother. Dress very, very warm," Kurogane warned, joining the group going back to Celes. "You, too, Father. You won't believe the weather."
"Well, I'll be handing Fei-Wang off to Edo. Hopefully for execution. I'll also inform the other province lords of your situation and intentions, so we'll know where you and Fai stand. We'll talk about it when we see each other again. We also will talk about how best to persuade the farmers to accept the situation. I don't have high hopes, but we'll come up with something. We'll look for you in a couple of weeks. Take care and be of service to King Ashura, if need be."
"Of course, Father," Kurogane said with a farewell bow.
"Thank you, Hondo. Anything you ever need, don't hesitate in asking me," Ashura said.
"And the same for you. If I can ever do anything for Celes, let me know. And I do assure you, in spite of everything, your son will be well cared for here," Lord Suwa vowed.
"I trust you and Lady Suwa, which is saying a lot considering how I found Fai and came to adopt him." Ashura looked over at his men. "Well, let's go home."
King Ashura lofted his staff. Several of Lady Suwa's women waved good bye with lot of gushing. The Celes soldiers waved goodbye with lots of thanks and compliments. Green swirls enveloped the group of twenty soldiers, the mayor, the ninja, the twins, the reanimator, and the newly healed king. The large group landed in King Ashura's throne room.
Right away, Ashura said, "Boris follow me to my study. There is something we need to discuss."
Boris didn't miss the wary look Yuui cast his way as he followed the king towards his private study.
After some small talk, which he despised, Boris grew wary. The king was about to spring something on him, most likely unpleasant. "So, Boris, I removed you as governor. I did it out of a fit of pique for running off with Yuui into bandit territory when I was ill. I want to restore your governorship until such time as you need to be committed. It would be the same sentence you received after your trial.
"Only, I'll grant you a special dispensation. Since you've already committed necromancy, I will allow you to do so from now on. However, you must notify me ahead of time if there is a situation you think you must use it. It must only be used on Valeria if there is a dire situation of out of control rebellion. Is that understood?"
"Yes, sir. I'd only use it if I can save lives and there are no other options. It would be a very rare situation."
Ashura nodded, satisfied. "You will also never take an apprentice or teach anything you know to anyone. The knowledge dies with you. Agreed?"
"I'd never teach anyone what I know. I learned the spells when I was just fourteen and had no judgment. I was rebelling against Gustave and in pain from losing Galina. I so wanted to give Galina life again; what boy doesn't love his mother first and foremost? I felt cheated and wanted her back, so I studied things I didn't understand in an effort to get her back. I didn't know what I was doing. Now I do. Now, I'm a man that understands actions have consequences. Still, I'm not sure if I can accept governorship. I think living in privacy would be best. There are complications now..." He said, trailing off, thinking of Yuui's gorgeous eyes and naive kisses.
Boris felt a sinking sensation. If he declined outright, Ashura would want to know why. He wanted to leave Yuui and hide, not be under Ashura's thumb and summoned back when he became ill. It would only tear Yuui's heart up to watch him committed to a sanitarium.
Ashura observed, "You don't look pleased."
"I'm sure Judge Vlad is doing my old job better than me. I was really thinking about doing some traveling."
"Vlad is itching to get back to Celes, and Valerians are still terrified of you. You know I can't allow you out of my sight now that three years have passed since you first cast a necromancy spell."
"I take it you remember my petting zoo?" Boris asked, slumping in the plush chair.
"I was ill, not forgetful," Ashura said. "Regardless, the only other choice I'm left with is committing you to a sanitarium early, and I'd loath to do that. And if you do wander off, I'll bring charges related to your petting zoo."
Boris was back in a corner. Now that he was in Luval Castle, it would be tricky to escape. Besides, a thought suddenly hit him. A task came to mind; now he was very determined to go back to Valeria. He was bound to complete something he'd worked on half-hearty for a while. Now, because of his deep feelings for Yuui, it was the most important task in his life. Besides, he need to part from Yuui, and this task was a very good reason to go back to Valeria and become governor again.
"I accept governorship again."
"Good. Leave immediately."
"May I at least say goodbye to Yuui?"
Boris saw King Ashura's brow furrow with a troubled expression, but he nodded. Boris stood to leave, but the king's voice froze him when he asked, "Is it a simple crush or more?"
Boris turned to Ashura. "It's something that can't go any further, but at least I can devote the rest of my sane days on Valeria to give Yuui a precious gift."
"What is that gift?"
"Destroying something that terrorizes him to this day." He knew Ashura knew exactly what was on his mind. The monarch gave him an approving smile and nodded.
"There's one of the virtues you have that Gustave took pride in: determination. Take what time you need to break it to Yuui you're going back to Valeria."
Boris found Fai, Yuui, and Kurogane in the steamy, royal hamam. The twins were happily splashing each other and laughing, while Kurogane was looking on, clearly aggravated with their horseplay.
"Come on, playtime, Kurgs," Fai said. Before Fai could splash him, the ninja grabbed his wrist and gave him a lethal expression.
"Damn it, mage, act your age!"
"Kuro-grumpy," Fai pouted. Fai then looked over to the hamam's doorway and saw Boris. "I bet the King of the Corpse will play nice."
Boris was concerned when he saw Yuui's face. No doubt he was feeling Boris' sorrow and throbbing depression. "What's wrong?" Yuui asked.
Boris said, "I need to talk with you. Alone."
Yuui got out of the hot bath, put on a robe, and lead Boris down the hallway to his and Fai's shared room. After he closed the door he threw himself into Boris' arms. Tears were already starting. "You're leaving, aren't you?"
"Yes. Your father made me governor of Valeria again."
"I'll make him take it back!"
"You can't, because I've already accepted. I'll stay there until I have to be committed or until I destroy the pit."
"What?" Yuui asked stunned.
"The thing I can do to show you how I feel about you is to remove that one nightmare from your thoughts. I'm absolutely committed to destroying it. You've changed me a lot, and you've given me a bright spot in my life. Allow me to do this for you."
Yuui's tears were flowing heavy as he choked up. "Boris, I love..."
Boris pressed his fingers to Yuui's lips. "No, not that. Only tell me how much you hate me."
Yuui tugged Boris' hand away from his lips and gave him a smile in spite of his sorrow. "I detest you."
"I despise you, too."
"Good," he said with a smile. Then he had a sudden urge to bed Yuui; he wasn't sure when the next time they'd see each other. It could even be years and he could be ill by then. He wanted to mark Yuui as his and give him some sweet memories to have as the healer arduously learned to be a monarch.
Boris then softly said, "Strip off all your clothes and lay on that rug in front of the fireplace for me. If I have to be parted from you for a long time, I'm going to leave a lasting impression on you. You see, I at least want to make you do some dirty things to yourself while I watch." Boris pulled up a chair by the pelt and slumped across it with his leg draped over an arm.
Yuui didn't say a word. He just dropped his robe and lay naked on the pelt. Boris was fairly certain this wasn't the way King Ashura meant for him to bid farewell to Yuui, but the blond was just too tempting, especially, when he was being very obedient.
Zellen watched a combat mage drop from the sky in Kella in a flurry of indigo runes. He walked over to the the combat mage, a little baffled at his presence. "Hello there. My aunt said you were coming from Luval with important news?"
"Yeah, with huge news! Hey, aren't you, Prince Yuui's friend?" the guy asked with ill concealed excitement as the snow started picking up.
Zellen was excited to hear Yuui was finally back, but he noticed something odd. "Didn't you mean Master Yuui?"
"No! King Ashura has chosen. It's now Prince Yuui and Duke Fai. I need to deliver the news to your aunt so she can attend the coronation."
Zellen felt a wave of shock run through him. He thought for sure it'd be Fai. Fai was older, albeit by only four minutes, and he was more out going and sly- and he was so much more like Ashura. Plus, Fai was a combat mage; he would be better qualified to lead the army and such.
"So King Ashura and Boris Nemtsov was with them?" Zellen asked.
"The reanimator had his arrest warrant revoked, and he was with them."
"Did the king seem well?"
"He looked a little tired, but fine," the combat mage said as Zellen lead him into the mayor's house. After he got his aunt distracted with the combat mage, he ran upstairs and grabbed his gold and fluorite staff. Also, he grabbed a silver ring with a giant, rectangular, purple stone. He rammed it on his finger, quivering slightly.
He jotted a quick note to his family that he needed to go to Luval Castle and would be back soon. He then lofted his staff and let Celes' ley lines drag him to Luval.
He popped in Yuui and Fai's bedroom, as he was accustomed to coming and going from childhood, but was totally embarrassed to see his best friend. Yuui was snuggled, obviously naked and slaked, under a blanket with Boris; they were in front of the roaring fireplace laid out on an elk pelt rug.
"Oh! So sorry!" Zellen said, swirling around. His pulse was pounding and his face grew flaming hot.
"Zel? What are you doing here. I guess I should have let you know we were back," Yuui said. Zellen could hear the rustling of clothes and such behind his back. "I should have known you'd be worried. Everything is fine, though. Father is healed."
"Good, good, good. I'm so incredibly sorry. This is the spot I'm so used to just coming to and didn't think... I hope you aren't upset."
"I'm not upset, just a little bashful. Please don't be upset about this. You can turn around. We're decent," Yuui said.
He turned slowly. They were both dressed. Boris was the one to say with crossed arms, "You're worse than Fai at being a wet blanket, and I didn't think that was possible."
"Sorry, but what I have could change your life! I found your books. The one I think you learned necromancy from," Zellen said. "The ones disguised as a door."
"You what!" Boris shouted, hopping up and stalking after Zellen. It was obvious the man was full of fury.
"Well, they're here now. I took them so I could figure out how to heal you."
"I hid those book very well. How did you see them?" Boris barked at Zellen. The healer felt his mind go blank at the confrontation.
"Zellen is an astral projector. You left your body and were able to see them?" Yuui asked.
Zellen nodded. "Exactly. So I took them thinking I'd read them and figure out how to reverse things."
"Did you read them?" Boris snarled at Zellen.
"No! Not a word! I promise. It was Drysi that looked at a past owner of one of the books and told me about the secret behind insanity and necromancy. It's not tied together. You had the predisposition towards madness all along, or you wouldn't be able to use necromancy in the first place." Yuui and Boris were looking at him as if sprouted horns. "It means there is a chance that you could be treated as a normal patient."
Boris shook his head. "It's obvious you haven't read the notes at the back of one of the books. Your wife must have not touched that one. One of the owners of the books wrote detailed notes about his treatments. It's absolutely resistant to all treatments; he finally killed himself when all avenues were exhausted. Even if what you say is true, I've still doomed myself, because it was obvious from the man's experience that necromancy then seals insanity to the caster. Even so, it's all hopeless. Which is a good and just thing."
"But don't you want to try?" Zellen asked, wanting to shake some sense into him.
"No, he doesn't want to be healed. He has his reasons," Yuui said in a very dour tone. "He doesn't want people to loose the penalty for committing necromancy. If people know they won't have accountability for casting those spells, then he's afraid people will embrace that type of magic again and use it. He'd rather it die with him, and he knows necromancy can't be kept away from society without the threat of insanity."
"Now I know you really loath me," Boris said with a lopsided smile. He looked at Zellen with a glare and held out his hands. "Give me my books now. You have no right to them. I can sense you have them on you."
Zellen asked, "Are you sure? It seems so grim what you're doing. And I can see Yuui's upset."
"Grim or not, whether Yuui is upset or not, it is the way it has to be for the reasons he's told you. The threat has to remain in place. But... even though you stole from me... I do thank you. You're a good friend to Yuui. I just ask that when I'm gone you'll make sure he doesn't get too gloomy. He'll need a good friend."
"Then there is no way I can persuade you to stay? Not even for him? Are you really that cold?" Zellen asked, feeling so dispirited his efforts were slipping away.
"It's settled," Boris said softly and resolutely.
Zellen took a deep breath and sorrowfully yanked off the ring from his finger. "I fashioned one of the books into the band and the other two into the stone. It's the same spell you used for the door, only I didn't put protections on it."
"It matches my staff," Boris said.
"Yeah, I got inspired," Zellen spat out bitterly, handing the ring over to Boris. "You really are heartless. You were just with him and now you're leaving. You just... used him!"
"It was my choice, Zel. I knew he was leaving, and it's okay. I ache horribly from it, but there is purpose in it. He's going to destroy the pit."
"What?" Zellen asked with wide-eyed shock. "I though that was impossible."
Boris smirked and put the ring on the middle finger of his right hand. He took a moment and admired it. "My deep, abiding enmity for Yuui can make anything possible. I'll destroy the pit."
"If you destroy the pit before you go insane, won't you let Yuui try to heal you? Wouldn't that be fair? No one would have to know you were healed. It could be a secret."
"I'll tell you what, odds are against me, but I'd make book on myself destroying that atrocity exhibition because I have so much riding on it. Therefore, I'll take you up on it. If I get rid of the pit, not just put up a barrier, then I'll let Yuui try to treat my illness."
"That's fair," Zellen admitted, glancing over at Yuui, who looked drained. No doubt he was taking in the tension between them.
"Good. Then take care of your friend in my absence. Make sure you cheer him up from time to time. And, Yuui," Boris said, taking his hand. The blond looked up, startled. "Grow me a beautiful cherry tree orchard."
Yuui pepped up slightly and gave his hand a squeeze. "I will. I'll make you proud of what I create. Not just an orchard, but what I do as a ruler. I so want you to be proud of me."
"I already am," Boris said.
To be continued.
