Ekleipsis (Fantasy Romance - LGBT, manXman)

3.10.

The moment he heard Alva was kidnapped, Kintaro offered his services to the King. Daronghi gently declined. The Essanti knew nothing of Creede and would not be helpful. Besides, the King could not let a troop of armed barbarians ride about his country, even if they had been allies in the last campaign. A stranger to inactivity, Kintaro locked himself in and drank the night away in solitude.

Ithildin came knocking in the morning. Kintaro had sprawled in a chair, feet up on the desk. The elf stood facing him.

"Yo, what have we here," drawled the Essanti, predatory glint in his eyes. "Nobody to bed you, now Alva is gone?"

The elf ignored Kintaro's jab. He said, dispassionate as always, "Alva is in mortal peril. Only you can help."

"Mortal peril, yeah. I know one little elf slut that got him up the shit-creek with no paddle. You, and the likes of you, doll-face, ought to be chained up by the bed, and never set loose on decent people."

Ithildin blushed pink in shame, but did not flinch.

"Help me save him."

"Why would I," the Essanti cocked an eyebrow and poured some more wine.

"He had been your lover."

"He passed me up, and don't pretend to not know. It's you he chose, the whoring little elf, ready to spread for anyone. Serves him right."

"You are lying," said Ithildin, "you don't wish him dead, and not in the dreadful way the Enqins have in store for him."

Kintaro leapt up and threateningly loomed over the elf.

"So what, doll-face," he drew out the words, "So what if I pretend not to notice that you called me a liar and listen to you? What do you know that could save him?"

"I had a vision. I know where Alva will be handed over to the Enqins. We can still catch up to them, before he gets to Targhai."

"Visions! Dreams!" Kintaro sneered and sat back. "Elf nonsense! You must be out of your mind if you expect me to believe in this drivel!"

But his gaze betrayed him. His eyes bore through the elf, seeking an answer. He wanted to believe. Ithildin's stared him down with the same determination.

"How much do you know about the Enqin customs?" he asked.

Kintaro waved his hand – "more or less."

"If my visions are nonsense, how would I know the Enqins cut the captive's hair and burn it before the tortures?"

That was exactly what Ithildin saw in his vision: Alva's fiery locks tumbling to the ground from the henchman's knife ... his naked body painted with black whorls – ropes tying him to a post ... And then ... That's when Ithildin had screamed, making the image shatter. This was only one of the possible futures, but so terrifying, that his teeth chattered at the memory. It would come to pass if he failed to prevent it.

Now Kintaro was roused.

"Name the place," he demanded.

"It was a hill, shaped like a horse, and the horse's stone head was by a spring. Looked like a shrine."

"I know it. But it is far beyond the Enqins' lands." The chieftain frowned in thought. "Only if they want to avoid Selkhir ... That Selkhir garrison commander, short-haired broad, she and Alva are old pals, right?"

Ithildin nodded. "Yes, they have been friends for a long time."

"Makes sense!" Kintaro slapped his thigh. "That way is heavily patrolled now, a mouse wouldn't sneak past. So they would go by Niyar and head to Jefflah, going south-east, then down south..."

He rose and paced the room. Then, something else occurring to him, he turned and spoke to the elf again. "Why did you come to me instead of the King?"

"Only you can track the Enqins through the Wild Steppe. Please, find them. Don't let Alva die. Or at least give him an easy death, not the kind Enqins intend for him."

"Aren't you worried my help might cost you?" Kintaro grinned and stood close.

"I have money. How much do you want?"

"When did I mention money? Money is as dust. I trade for pleasure. What can you tempt me with, doll-face?" Kintaro appraised Ithildin, as he would merchandise on display.

"I'll do anything you wish, only help me save him."

"Anything?" The Essanti's smile was outright lewd.

Ithildin kneeled before Kintaro and undid his belt. Kintaro looked on, still grinning. He clearly enjoyed humiliating the elf, and did not stop him until the elf was tugging at lacing on his pants.

"I've had you before. Nothing special," said the chieftain pushing away Ithildin's hands.

Ithildin quivered, desperate. Eyes to the ground, he mumbled, "I have learned a great deal, I am more adept at lovemaking now. You will enjoy it more if I pleasure you willingly."

"Haggling, doll-face? Become one hell of a whore, have you?"

"Call me anything you want, but help me save Alva."

"What if I wanted more? Wanted you to leave Alva for good, and without saying a word to him?"

Ithildin would have agreed without hesitation, but the thought of parting from Lielle forever was so painful, his throat closed at first. He mastered it, and answered quietly, "I would do it."

"Leave your lover? Give him over to me?"

"But he would live."

"And what if I told you to go back to the Essanti, where you would get humped by all and sundry once again?"

The elf suddenly laughed, bitter and angry, and said, "I had left my people for him. Think there's still something I would not do for him?"

Kintaro reflected for a bit, and motioned for the elf to rise.

"Wait for me here. I will be back in an hour and we'll leave right away. I'll choose my own reward once it's over."

Kintaro, Alva, Ithildin, collage by Sphinga