Spirits of the Earth

There was a sudden rise of activity in the castle of the Tenth, soldiers arrived home from patrols, servants were busy.  The castle was being cleaned from top to bottom, and banners hung bearing the crest and colours of the House, The silver background with a rearing Night Stallion fluttering in the warm breeze that circulated round the demon plane.

The North Wing, The King's private quarters were being made ready with all due care and attention.  Fresh linens upon the bed, bay scented candles to chase away the staleness of disuse, thicker cream coloured wax candles added a soft warm light and fires crackled in the grates to chase away the chill.

The South Wing, reserved for other family was also being made ready for the arrival of a pregnant queen.  It would be warm and luxurious, black roses were placed in crystal vases their heavy scent filling the air.  Fresh linens were on the bed, a warm comforter, soft pillows.  A room with a deep stone pool of a bath, with hot water always available, the walls were draped in crimson and gold, opulent and rich.  Here she would stay until it was time for her to go to the Temple.

Deep below the castle a cell was also being prepared for a prisoner of note. Like the rooms above it was richly appointed.  This prisoner would have luxury, but it was no more than a gilded cage from which there was no escape.

An old demon sat in the State room going over the preparations, Zenethor shook his head...his boys, his pupils, all grown up were coming home.  He would see the boy he once knew be crowned a king...at his side his constant companion and General. Abigor was always the better warrior of the two while Sabre was wily and more gifted in magick and Rune Lore, though despite this his father had insisted he become proficient in combat much to the young man's distaste.  He had it beaten into him finally, day in and day out until he did become acceptable...not that Abigor had minded...the slightly older demon male's desire for his Prince was apparent.

That did not please the King....he had Abigor sent as far away as possible, despite Zenethor's counsel against it. The Sabre was abducted by the Fifth and it all went awry, the king went mad with anger and agitation....Abigor returned home and was filled with fury....Viola was incandscent with rage that her ticket to the top had gone.

Zenethor chuckled....wicked brats all of them....but it would be good to have them home once more.

Zenethor walked through the King's wing and inspected the work, the servants had done well turning the cold derelict area into a warm and habitable home for their new king.  No-one had occupied this area since the old king had passed.  He inspected the innermost sanctum, the place where the King would come to relax, his bed chamber, and he nodded as he checked every aspect of it.  The room smelled pleasing, the choice of Bay candles had been right, giving the place a spicy manly scent to it.  The bedding was new, fresh, cream linen sheets, large plump pillows, a thick black velvet comforter threaded with silver, bought from the Prince's old room.

The newly lit fires in the large fireplaces gave the place a comforting warmth.

He was sure that Sabre would be comfortable, even more so in Abigor's arms he smirked to himself.  Abigor had desired Sabre ever since they had started training together as young men, Zenethor had seen it the moment the old General's son had laid eyes on the slightly younger Prince.  He watched him with a needful gaze during every lesson, during each meal and Zenthor did nothing to discourage it.  He watched as Sabre became aware of it, flaunting himself and flirting shamelessly, it was to be expected the boy was born of a succubus.  He knew how to use his becoming looks to tease and beguile even the most hardened.  Zenethor punished him when he saw it was getting to Abigor, thrashed him quite thoroughly under the guise of being displeased with his learning.  He also knew about the kiss in the corridor that night, Zenethor had spies everywhere and nothing got past him.  He was surprised though that Abigor had showed enough restraint not to take the handsome Prince in that alcove....but that was his Abigor...his warrior...all restraint and nobility while Sabre was wily, crafty...a beauty beyond all beauty but with his own air of grace and nobility but different to Abigor's.

Then there was Viola......what could he say about the beautiful demoness who desired power above all else.  He was demanding and strict with her, it was he who counselled the king to send her into the battlefield.  She was far to fond of batting her eyes at Sabre, not to have him or love but to use him to further her own advancement.  She would have bedded the old king if she thought it would have got her higher up the food chain. In fact she did once or twice but the old king was too wily to let her use it for any progress. 

Zenethor sat by the fire in the King's chamber and poured himself a spirit from the decanter at the side of the armchair.  He had heard that Sabre had taken a queen, a mortal...and that she was full in her belly with his seed.  He would chastise him for that foolishness, he should have taken a wife of his own race, but what was done was done.  He would ensure she stayed where she was meant to, he understood that Ana and Lui had already been summoned by Abigor and were doing their duty.  He grinned wryly, ever the protector was Abigor...more likely he had summoned the nursemaids to keep this queen out of the way so he could be with his Sabre.

It was a web of intrigue to be sure...but such was their way.

He took a long draw on the glass and smacked his lips and momentarily closed his eyes.

When they were home he would take Sabre and Abigor to the Weapons Training Yard and he would see whether his boys had kept up with their training....it would be like old times.

Zenethor caught Abigor's communication and he could barely contain himself, they were coming home!  He went to the courtyard and he saw the shimmer of silver as the portal developed.

Viola would be first with that little runt from the Fifth....oh what delights that boy had waiting for him here.  He knew a few soldiers who would relish the chance to teach the boy a lesson...Perhaps Sabre would allow him to be tied over a barrel in the courtyard, a tin at his side...the soldiers would be glad to pay a few coppers each to use a high born enemy.  Zenethor chuckled at the thought.

Then the Queen would come, sedated so he heard...she would be taken straight to her room and put to bed, guards at her door.

Oh to see his King....Sabre....and his favourite Abigor....the two he cared for the most in the whole of the Tenth.  He would like to see how Sabre had changed...had he grown in power and beauty?

Viola emerged through the portal.  Her wings unfurled and she released her grip on Jelenis. 

"Master Zenthor."  She bowed respectfully.   "The others are close behind.  Here is the prisoner." 


She yanked the boy closer to stand in front of the older demon.  She snarled at him.  "Show your respect!  Lower your head like the submissive you are."  She brought her wing in and with her long tail whipped Jelenis behind his knees.   

"He fell so quickly Master Zenethor!  He was caught moaning...in fact I wouldn't be surprised if he did it on purpose...you know pretended to be innocent...for show!"  She laughed and winked at Jelenis. 

"Say do you only like boys Jelenis?"  She let her hands rub over his torso.  "How would your lover feel to see me have my way with you?  Hmmm...do you think Gen'pi would like that or better yet..."  She snarled again in a guttural voice.  "Perhaps you would like to watch him be taken for revenge?  Would you like me to whip him Jelenis for fooling you?  make him cry?"

Her sharp talons ran down his back and played with the hem of his night shirt...  "Oh seems someone forgot his breeches...."  He laughter was high pitched and filled with evil intentions.

Zenethor regarded the prisoner kneeled on the floor, a pretty thing, not as much as Sabre...but a pretty thing.

"Thank you Viola...so...you are the Son of the King of the Fifth....hmmmm....I am surprised, I thought you would be more than a cheap little slut." He said softly.

"Take him down to the dungeons Viola, a cell has been prepared for him...make sure you lock it after yourself, I do not want eager demons taking their pleasure with him...no matter how much they have heard he moans sweetly." He said with a sneer.

The portal was already fluctuating....this would be the Queen undoubtedly, her maids.....and his favoured Abigor at last.

Ana and Lui appeared.  With a gasp Ana grasped for Zenethor.  "M'lord...thanks."  Ana nodded and helped Lui so the cleared the opening for the general and the queen.

Viola was half dragging the Prince of the fifth.  She found the cell that s far to nice in her opionon for him and lifting him she threw him into it and slammed the door.  Shivering in delight as it clicked.  Zenethor must has enchanted it for it clicked and locked without any help from her.

She clicked her talons against the wall letting her wings spread widely.  "Sweet...sweet...innocent Jelenis how I am going to love ravishing you when my turn is called..."  She let her tail sweep the floor as her loyal henchmen appeared as guards.  These two had bull type heads with human bodies.  They snorted and grunted as they leered as the half blood.

Abigor came through with the Queen cradled in his embrace.  He immediately checked her. Sighing when he heard her breathing. 

He glanced around a saw Master Zenethor and a smile spread across his face.  "Master."  He held Flori but she was nothing in his arms as he leaned in and grazed his lips across the older demons cheek.  When he righted himself he gestured to the portal..."He is coming home, will be crowned King...finally Master Zenethor...finally."  his voice was washed in relief.   "Let me bring the Queen to her chambers."

he went to follow Ana and Lui but stopped and turned toward Zenethor.   "Master, please collect Gen'pi when he comes through.  I do not want him by the prisoner.  It appears he has been bewitched and I need him reengaged."  The Master would know where to sequester the stable hand for the time being.  Abigor brought the sleeping Queen to her new chambers. 

He owed her a lot.  She was giving them a much needed heir.  She proved strong and when in Sabre's thrall she was ultimately loyal to him. 

Sabre stepped from the portal to find the courtyard a hive of activity, his home felt odd to him, alien and for a moment he stood there as the portal closed behind him.  He only came to himself when he realised that every servant and every soldier in the cobbled yard had dropped to their knees, their heads bowed.  It made him feel a little uncomfortable, where was Abigor?  He had seen Gen'Pi led off on Zenethor's command and the old Demon turned to view his would be king.

The Prince had grown into a fine man, losing none of the ethereal beauty he held as a boy. He looked a little tired though, probably holding the portal for such a time to allow everyone to come home.

"All Hail King Sabre!" The old man said loudly and many voices echoed it round the yard.

Sabre's dark eyes met Zenethor's and he gave a tired smile.

"I am home!" Was all he managed, overwhelmed by everything and feeling dizzy, he had to steady himself.

Abigor came back just as he heard master Zenethor callout.  He could see how tired the King was and quickened his pace.

He made it to Sabre's side as quickly as he could.  He wrapped an arm around him and began to lead him towards their chambers.  Sabre needed rest though now.  Nothing else.  No matter what Sabre's well being was his utmost concern.

He whispered in Sabre's ear.   "King, we can do the formalities tomorrow.  Please rest first. Let me take you to our bed.  You can regain your strength."  He was careful not to infuse too much affection but it would not be lost on Zenethor.  The master knew his pupil better then he knew himself.

Abigor gently tried to lead him from the main courtyard.  So many of his loyal subjects those were rejoicing.  It was loud and he was ready to roar.  "My King...say the word and silence will follow."

Gen'pi came through and was immediately in the grip of High Master Zenethor.  While a few of his men took him. 

He struggled but it was in vain.  The guards where very strong as they were powered by Zenethor.  He did not worry they would hurt him yet but he knew they met to keep him from Jelenis.  He would have to be extremely careful.

He saw Des and Mei he also saw a few of the other demons he knew.  This was going to have to be the most deceitful he has ever been.  Demons were nothing if not gullible at least lower ones, he needed to figure out the weak ones and work from there.  He would get to Jelenis if it was the last thing he did.

Sabre forced himself to remain upright and strong, shrugging off Abigor's arm, he would not be seen as weak in front of his people.

"Let them cheer, I will not have them silenced...not now."

Demons did not sleep on the Human Plane and Sabre had been awake for a very long time, stepping back here allowed the tiredness to flood his body.  He had been relying on and using magic constantly since he had met Flori and this had further exhausted him, yet sheer will kept him on his feet.  He walked through the crowds with Abigor and Zenethor in tow.  He reached the door to the North Wing, turned and waved to his people and stepped inside.

Away from the crowds and the masses' eyes Sabre felt his world start to turn black at the edges and a few paces up the corridor he faltered in his step, his head spun and he fell in an unconscious heap upon the stone tiles, the long silver velvet cloak a pool of silver about him.

Jelenis picked himself up from the cell floor on which Viola had slung him, shivering a little, not looking out at the demons that guarded him but inwards to see where exactly he had ended up.  The cell was reasonably large and better than he could have possibly hoped for.  There was a sizable bed placed in one corner, with actual blankets and pillows, a chair next to a fireplace and a table.

The fire had been set and lit and it warmed the place a little, Jelenis felt cold so he went to the bed and got within, huddling beneath the blankets in the corner nearest the headboard against the thick stone wall.

He was frightened that Viola was going to come back and do as she threatened or Abigor even.  He tried to hold back his tears of fear but they spilled over his thick black lashes from his sweet silvery eyes and down his pale pink cheeks.

Even though he had been betrayed by Gen'Pi he was the only person he had known to say gentle things to him and he wished he were here now, even if it was all just a lie.  The cell was filled with the scent of the half Angelic's fear, the scent of lilies.  The demons outside wrinkled their bovine noses and grunted...sooner the little runt was fully corrupted the better.

Abigor admired his sheer will.  It was one of the things he respected Sabre for.  A quiet strength.  He nodded and took a step back allowing Sabre to lead them.  It was one of the longest walks he had ever experienced. 

Sabre waved and Entered the North wing.  Abigor followed a moment too late.

His King was already on the tiles.  Abigor knelt and scooped his King into his arms.  He gently carried him to the bed.  Which had already been prepared for him.  Setting him on the silken sheets he carefully placed his head on the soft pillows.

He was going to make Sabre as comfortable as he could.  Almost like Sabre was a porcelain doll he removed his boots and most of his clothing.  Leaving the breeches.  Abigor covered him and sat on the edge of the bed.  Just watching the rise and fall of his chest through the sheets.  His hand caressing his face softly.  Even in sleep he was alluring. 

The general wasn't used to being gentle yet he found with Sabre it came naturally to him, under certain circumstances.  Like now.  He would allow nobody to disturb Sabre.  The ware of years on the other side had taken their toll by his return here.  His King deserved the rest.

He rose and positioned a chair closer to the bed where he sat and would keep his vigil.

Zenethor stood in the doorway and watched as Abigor drew up a chair to be closer to their king, it had always been obvious that Abigor had desired Sabre, but this was running deeper than before.

"Is he well Abigor?" He asked softly from where he stood, one had to be careful around Abigor especially where Sabre was concerned, he was loving and possessive and jealous all rolled into one.

He knew the Queen had been settled in the South Wing and Ana and Lui were making sure she was well and wanted for nothing.  Viola had dealt with the prisoner and Gen'Pi was carefully installed in a room next to his own quarters under lock and key.  He and Abigor would deal with the stable boy in due course.  Perhaps if Gen saw the prisoner moaning as he had done under him under someone else that might break the spell the half blood had him under.  He had no doubt if the right demon were found Jelenis would give himself up again for a few whispered sweet words.

There were also larger more personal questions at stake too, he had to speak to Abigor.

"He will be well for an hour, join me in the ante chamber by the fire....I need to speak with you Abigor." He said firmly.

Abigor looked up and nodded affirmatively.  "He will be fine.  The years of unrest catching him." 

The room was beautiful.  The glow of the fire catching the King's hair.  If Abigor didn't know better he would mistake Sabre for an Angelic, he was that beautiful.

Master Zenethor brought him back from his trance.  Shaking his head and standing he nodded.    Following the older demon to the ante chamber.  He took the seat across from Zenethor. 

"What is it you wish to speak of Master Zenethor?"  His tone was level but his senses were starting to trigger the alert.

There was no delicate way for Zenethor to approach this with his most favoured so he regarded Abigor levelly and said it.

"Have you mated the king?"  There it was said.

This was a delicate thing, his subjects could have no knowledge of such a tryst, Zenethor would need the highest security on these chambers if that was going to continue.

"You and Sabre have tormented each other for as long as I can recall...I know all about you kissing him the corridor that night,  the king got wind of it....why do you think he sent you to the front of the fighting."

"I need to know if you did anything to him on the mortal plane....anything that could be used against him!"

Flori's eyes began to flutter.  She was waking finally.  A bit disoriented from it all she looked around confused.  This was not her room at the fortress.  Had they gone to Sabre's home like he said they were doing?  This room was more spectacular than her last one.  She looked around once again and Lui was right by her side.  "Is this home Lui?"

The demon nursemaid smiled and patted the Queen's hand.  "Yes my Queen.  You are home."

She spotted Ana busy setting cups and saucers on a table.  "I will ring for a light snack if you so desire my Queen."  The older nursemaid said as she smiled.

"No, I am good right now.  But, thank you."  She had to get her wits.  What had happened.  OH!  It was all coming back to her.  She gasped.  Sweet Jelenis!  He...he...he...NO!!!!  She began to get distressed and Ana was quick to her side.

"There, there Queen.  Put that unpleasantness right out of your mind.  Your husband, our King saw to a swift punishment."  She patted the Queens back and soon wrapped her in a loving embrace.  Flori held back.

"He is wicked that boy isn't he.  Used the poor stable hand Gen'pi, whom seemed so sweet.  Not to mention me!  He pretended to be sweet and in need of love yet all he wanted was lust."  Flori buried her head into Ana.  It felt good to have a warm embrace to hold onto.

She wondered though where Sabre was.....

He growled...a low menacing sound rising from the depths of his being.

Abigor should have realized Master Zenethor and Sabre's father knew!  Spies!  All over!  The King hated anyone or thing that showed attention to Sabre.  It was almost as if he wanted him all for his own.  Ruefully Abigor could not blame him for his son was a thing of such beauty it would be near impossible to resist.

Abigor swallowed, closed his eyes and steadied his breathing.  Before answering.  For there was no question that he would answer Zenethor. 

"Nothing more than a few kisses stole here or there.  It was hard but I restrained myself.  He is always my first priority.  Will always be."

He was clearly agitated.

"I will not put him in jeopardy.  Is there still the other entrance to the chamber?  I will use that and keep my chamber for appearances.  Or Master Zenethor if you advise I need to stay from him I will."

Abigor could not believe he just said that.  But he would do anything for Sabre even if it meant he could not have him still.

Zenethor sat and listened as Abigor told his Master the truth, the General would never lie to him...not ever, their trust was absolute and it had been since the day he started to train him.  Zenethor made sure he further compounded it later down the line.

He heard that deep growl and he raised his eyes at his favoured pupil, almost like a son to him.

"You will mind your temper with me Abigor...of course I knew, I saw both of you day in and day out, I watched you to try and ensure you did nothing foolish, I knew the depth of your desire for him!"

He took a breath.

"There is still the secret chamber that leads to this one, I will make sure it is accessible to you, but you must be discreet Abigor, if you and he embark on this path...I cannot have him showing in public visibly marked or bruised....do you understand!"

He smiled and reached out to stroke Abigor's cheek.

"The King is dead....his son now rules....one less pair of jealous eyes to watch you....but mind Viola!  I will keep your secret as I always have but if I see you do anything that is contrary to what we have discussed I will make any previous punishment look like a caress....do I make my self understood!"

Master Zenethor chastised him.  He deserved it. 

Abigor was calming. 

Master Zenethor had not forbade them from continuing.  With a word of warning...he smiled.

"Yes, Master Zenethor I understand."

He considered Viola.  He would need to be very discreet...not only with her but also with the Queen.  She was a very needy and jealous being.

"Master Zenethor, the Queen.  It would appear she can be swayed very easily if our King isn't consistent with her.  But here it will be easier for us.  Yet I fear if that brat gets close he can assume her.  The Angelic is very strong in him.  We will need to continue his corruption.  Gen'pi though I fear is also under his angelic repose."

He leaned back now that Master Zenethor had given them his approval of sorts.  It made Abigor ease a little of the stress he'd felt.

Zenethor smiled as he watched Abigor relax, the General had been scared that his prize might be taken away.

"When Sabre has rested, his coronation will take place, all demons will have to swear allegiance to him that day, even the Queen, as an outsider she should not be allowed to such a ceremony....but we will let her....make it seem we are granting her a special privilege."

He reached to pour a strong brandy into two glasses and gestured to Abigor to take one.

"When she sees him crowned, she will melt and do whatever he says....all women love power....even mortal ones!" He chuckled.

"As for Gen'Pi, you and I need to do some work.....he needs to see that Angelic scum as the little slut he is....his innocence an act....something Gen fell for.....perhaps a chance on seeing the boy in his cell  sweetly loving another....you must know plenty who would jump at the chance to do it Abigor." He trailed off.

"Jelenis has had a taste of pleasure in the depths of the night alone he will crave it again....how can we stoke that?"

"This is a marvelous idea.  Though I will not admit it to anyone but you, she is perfect for him in outer experiences.  Pretty, sweet and yet has an underlining evil. That is waiting to be cultivated.  Weather that stems from King Sabre or her past masters abuse it matters not.  Now we just need to get her through the pregnancy and birth.  Ana feels confident, which is a relief for as much as this also kills me to admit it, I feel the King loves her as well."

He took the proffered drink at let the liquid burn its way down.  It bothered him that Sabre loved her but he could not fault him that.  They had been separated so long how would he had known that Abigor still remained unattached.  Maybe it was time he considered taking of a female to produce a heir.  One that would serve King Sabre's offspring.  He would discuss this with Master Zenethor.  He cared not who it would be just so long as she gave him strong offspring.

Their talk went to the matter of the prisoner.  Another small smile.  "Master Zenethor!  I do!  In fact it will be that much more precious too!"  He took another drink and set the empty glass down.  Things tasted much better here at home.

"Gen'pi had a...errr....shall I say young boys crush on Lord Uric.  The lord took his innocence and then moved on nearly crushing Gen'pi.  Though others have come and gone I get the notion that our stable boy would be completely cured of the angelic if he was to see Lord Uric eliciting those lustful moans...what do you think...to see his newest love mounted by the one who caused him so much pain...fitting end to the angelic charm Jelenis has over Gen'pi and we further his corruption with lust and need."

He sat back and noticed his glass refilled took a sip and waited for Master Zenethor's input.

Zenethor nodded in agreement,

"Yes...Uric  could definitely be the one, do you think he can trick the Angelic."

He was thinking this over.

"Perhaps he might assist you as you act as Jailer and see the young man and work his charm on him."

His eyes turned to the open bedroom door and the large bed where he could see Sabre sleeping deeply. The man was just too perfect to behold, so beautiful and there was still a scent of a season on him.

"How on earth did you resist him when he was in season......it must have been pure torture...and knowing him I bet he flirted with you and teased you!"

Abigor nodded.  "Lord Uric would be wonderful as a jailer.  He can entice and lure the boy into his thrall."  He continued to nodded and sip the brandy. 

"I think Uric will be able too.  He has an underline gentleness which I think the halfling is craving for right now.  But unlike Gen'pi our Uric only wishes to consume and use.  He will guise himself well but his ultimate goal is to leave his partner aching.  He will be elevated to Jelenis' main jailer.  We will monitor him.  Where Gen'pi fell for him Lord Uric won't."

He instinctively looked in the same direction as Zenethor.  His gaze softened.  He truly loved Sabre. 

"It was not easy Master Zenethor.  Not easy and very painful.  One I wish never to repeat.  But, I had an amazing Master.  He instilled never to give the enemy anything to use and it was that which helped me to stop.  And the knowledge pleasure is much more intensified in this plane then any other for our kind."

Swallowing hard it was now or never.  "Master Zenethor, is my mother still in her chamber?  For I think it is time you and she pick my own mate.   I need to produce a heir.  This will please my mother to no end.  I care not who it is, so long as it is not Viola... ". He grinned at his Master.  ,I care not really of looks just breeding I want her to produce valued offspring to serve King Sabre's."

He looked into the fire.m he hated the thought of bedding one for the soul purpose of mating but it was time.

Zenethor looked at Abigor with some surprise, he never thought he would hear those words uttered by his most favoured.

"She is Abigor....as you well know it will please her greatly to do such a thing." He said softly.

"Do not worry it would never be Viola, you mother detests her...considers her to be a status grabbing little harlot....she was never in contention."

He rose and offered his hand to Abigor.

"There is time for this my boy....perhaps after the coronation....why don't you stay here tonight in case he wakes, he will likely be a little disorientated and a familiar face will ease his confusion."

He took a last look at Sabre and smiled.

"My boys are home...I have missed you both very much...be gentle with him Abigor....the King has always been one to hide his fear and his apprehension behind bravado. As much as you want to ravish him....play it slowly and gently."

"I trust you Master Zenethor."  He said it softly, which was unusual for him. 

Abigor smiled, his mother would be pleased.  She never said it but her eyes spoke volumes.  For her it would be worth it and for Sabre's offspring.  he nodded and murmured, "After the coronation Master Zenethor.  For I do not wish his children to be without protection."

He knew Zenethor would see to it.  He would put his all into the pairing as well.  Abigor did everything that way.  Though his duty to the crown was first she would never know of his love for Sabre.  He would keep that between Master Zenethor and King Sabre.


Hearing Master Zenethor reminded him of the young Sabre.  Master was right.  He looked into his trusted master's eyes and gave him his word.  "I will heed your words Master Zenethor and do as you advised.  he will know nothing but pleasure...this I promise you."  He too looked at the sleeping form.  So beautiful he took Abigor's breath away.

Flori felt comforted by Ana.  When the older demon pulled back she stroked the Queen's hair.  "You know Queen Flori, I was nose aid to your husband, King Sabre and to his wildcat general Master Abigor.  I can tell you some funny stories if you are good..." 

This made Flori giggle softly.  She was beginning to love Ana and Lui. 

"You must tell me though, please Ana!  Please!"  She teased back. 

The tea came and the creature that brought it is made her gasp.  She had only read stories about such things...told fables...this creature had a body like a horse and a torso of a woman!  She backed away from it.

Ana noticed and nodded for Lui to take the tray.  "Thank you, Dani."  The older demon looked at Flori her smile was calm and her voice was cool..smooth...

"Queen Flori, you are in the tenth ring, many here are lower demon who cannot pass through a ring or change their form.  You will find many different ones but none will ever harm you for you married their King..they are loyal to him and thus you.  Just let go of your fears and welcome them as you have done me for if you seen me in my demon form you would probably not even allow me close."

Her voice was soothing.  She weaved her corruption over the mortal Queen.  This was for Sabre benefit.  Ana was very loyal to the boy who she raised and then grieved for when he was kidnapped.

She kept her gaze steady on the Queen.  "Yes, Ana...I will do as you say.  Can I ask one small thing."  She bunched up and gestured to Lui to come closer.  "Where is Sabre?  He isn't with another women here right?" 

Ana laughed.  It was a soft one and Lui patted the Queen's hand gently.  Ana spoke softly too,  ,I can assure you no other women will ever cross his bed but you Queen Flori."  Ana knew not of Abigor and Sabre's full attraction she was speaking from what she knew of him as a young demon.  She was confident no female would ever be allowed unless both wanted it.  Sabre was very considerate of others a very odd quality for a demon.  But Sabre was not like any other demon in the tenth.

Sabre woke briefly in the depths of the night, a nightmare, he sat bolt upright sweating.  In the dream he had become an Angelic, the great powerful wings like his hair, silvery white, he smelled like them too in the dreams.  He had been caught by his own people, by Abigor, and he was being tortured.

Awake now he stared wildly round the room, trying to fathom out where he actually was. It slowly started to come back to him.  He was home back in the Tenth Ring, in the North Wing.....now his, he was King....not a filthy Angelic.

He saw a figure in the chair by the bed dozing, it was Abigor.

"Gor." He whispered softly.

He wanted to be held, for 'Gor to chase the bad dreams away....as only he could.

The general had moved back to the chair by Sabre's bed.  He watched the beautiful King sleep.  Never had a demon been so beautiful, not in any ring...not even Sabre's mother.  Slowly he drifted into a light sleep.

The softly whispered name pulled him right back.  His own voice soft "Sabre!"

He was up and quickly at Sabre's side.  "What is it?"  Abigor stroked Sabre's face and gathered him into his arms.  "You are safe.  Home with me...finally home..."

He just stroked his hair and gently pulled him up and into him.  He would do anything for his King...anything to ensure his comfort and happiness.

Gen'pi realized he was locked into his room.  Two of Master Zenethor's demons guarding it.  He longed to be able to speak with him.

He tried...sitting on the bed he let go of everything...  In his mind he spoke with Jelenis.  He had no idea if it would even work but he had to try!

"Jelenis...if you feel this it is me, Gen'pi...please don't listen to them.  Please don't.  We are demons...lies, deceit, it is all part of what we do.  Remember our time together.  Remember how gentle I was...for if I acted like my true demon I would have just taken it and not be gentle...I love you Jelenis.  I love you."

Gen'pi faded...he passed out on the bed he had never tried it before and this wore him out.

Sabre huddled up against Abigor almost childlike, his eyes closed, shaking slightly from the remnants of his dream.

"I had a bad dream 'Gor." He said tiredly.

"That I turned into an Angelic and you and the others caught me....were torturing me...doing things to me...you let them...Kora, Uric, you and the others, you abused me...over and over."

Tears formed in his diamond dark eyes and he tried to brush them away.

"I haven't had a bad dream for such a long time 'Gor.....why now?"

Jelenis slept fitfully huddled in the corner of his cell, terrified that at any moment one of the demons would come in and hurt him.  It was bad enough the way they all looked at him, like some tasty snack they might indulge themselves with.

He dreamed of Gen'Pi, his soft voice telling him that he loved him, how gentle he always was with him.  His dream slipped to before that terrible moment in his room, when Gen had made him his...it felt good, he had been moaning his pleasure softly.

He woke up with tears damp on his cheeks and he felt ashamed...was he exactly what these creatures said he was.  Gen'Pi had tricked him into it....Gen was a demon....they lied and deceived, he was duped by him into giving up his innocence.  The fire was dying in the cell and he pushed back the covers, straightening the nightshirt to cover himself as best he might.  He padded across the cold stone floor to the wood bucket, bending over to reach for a log, which unfortunately gave the demons guarding him a view of his rump as his shirt rode up, they were bellowing and pointing. Jelenis hurriedly threw the log on the fire and scurried back to the bed, and buried his head into the pillow and sobbing like the world would end.

Abigor held him softly.  "All your years away are just depleting you.  Sabre, never would I allow any to harm you.  Never."  He may havee said the last part a little too fiercely.  BUt it was his way where the King was concerned.  He would even harm the Queen if she dare hurt him.

"Your mind is working so hard and memories are colliding.  Please lay here with me and I will not leave you this evening."  He positioned himself a little more comfortably and drew Sabre closer.  He was tender and caring with Sabre something only the King ever saw or was a recipient of.  "You will be crowned in the next few days and soon the rumors will spread wide.  Master Zenethor and I already have a new plan in motion for our prisoner."  He leaned down and kissed the top of Sabre head as his hand stroked his back. 

Abigor felt like he was going to explode.  He knew Sabre was not ready but he ached for him.  He just held him and stroked.  This was better than his years of missery without even a word from him.  This in itself was pleasure.

Sabre settled against Abigor and felt safe, he always felt safe with him, but it had not always been so. He remembered that first night he snuck out, what had gone on at the tavern, how he had been terrified.

"Gor do you remember that night at the tavern?" He said sleepily.

"Before you realised who I was......what were you going to do with me? Were you going to let Kora and Uric participate?

His fingers wrapped in Abigor's shirt and he stretched sinuously against him and yawned sweetly.

"It seems so long ago."

A soft rumble vibrates through him.  "I do remember that evening."  His laughter deepens.  "I wish I could say differently.  Had you just been any incubi yes we would have taken you, all three of us.  But, I am glad that did not come to pass.  For I never would have forgiven myself."

He shuttered at the thought.  "In my younger days I took what I wanted.  To some degree I still do but now I am in more control of my needs, I do not just take without weighing the consequences." 

He was ashamed for what he admitted.  Sabre knew who he was and probably heard rumors of his transgressions.  He had taken many a demons virtue and never worried over them.  This was different here lay the one he truly wanted...this would need to be different.  He wouldn't take for his own pleasure for once he would give as well as receive.

Sabre gave a sleepy chuckle.

"All three of you. So am I glad....I have only ever wanted you."

He nestled close to Abigor as their bodies would allow feeling so safe and warm in that hold, he knew there would be no more bad dreams but he needed to sleep.

"When I wake up, you can tell me all about your plans...and I will have to plan my coronation."

He managed no more words for he was deeply asleep again, his head against Abigor's chest, his breathing light.

Abigor smiled as he watched Sabre fall into another deep sleep.  His King's words warmed him like nothing he had ever known.  All he could do is hold him and gently continue to stroke him.

He lay there knowing he needed to sleep as well but had so much running through his mind.  He knew things were quite right about now.  He absently traced Sabre's runes watching the soft glow emanate from them. 

Not wanting to disturb Sabre but know certain things needed to be set into motion he reached out to Uric.  "Lord Uric...I need you to act as jailer with me for our most honored prisoner.  The son of the fifth.  His corruption has begun...he chuckled...You old friend Gen'pi started and took his sweet innocence.  But his angelic side is strong and weaved its magic over him.  I need you to lure him...Woo him...make him yours, but do not hurt or take anything from him.  Jelenis, is his name, must give it to you willingly for it to work.  Report there now."

He sighed and next contract Master Zenethor.  "Master, I have instructed Lord Uric to report to the cell of our prisoner.  Please keep him under your awareness as well for me.  I feel the Gen'pi and Jelenis may have been able to communicate.  I won't block it for now.  I want to see what if anything else they may say to one another".

Lord Uric had been in the crowd and was quite pleased to see the King return.  He watched as they walked to the North Wing and the door closed.  King Sabre now he mused...My he was  even more beautiful than his mother.  His moonlit hair, his equist features.  The Prince had grown and quite lovely it appeared.

Once the crowd dissipated he headed to the tavern where there was much celebrating going on.  Des and Mei where on hand explaining the corruption of the Prince of the fifth ring.  It was sweet...Gen'pi...well, well, well...he made need to visit the stable hand and congratulate him. 

It was then he felt the General's low command.  He listened and related his acceptance and he was on his way.  Lord Uric...jailer...corruptor...seducer.

He swept his fiery red hair from his pale skin.  His emerald green eyes shimmered.  He wore a light green tunic and darker green pants with knee high leather boots.  He looked delicate, almost as innocent as the boy in the cage.  His persona was that of just a young demon hoping to find his way.  Yes, Lord Uric was a master of deceit.  Unlike Gen'pi who fell in love with Jelenis.  Lord Uric had no concept of the word or emotion he only cared for how many he could corrupt and use and bend to his will.

He approached the prison where Jelenis was in time to see his rump.  Which made him smile.  Oh what sweetness had Lord Abigor handed to him. 

"Gentlemen, I have been sent to relieve you both."  A handsome young man, or for all appearances that of a man entered.  He had rich red hair, fair skin, and of all things a smattering of freckles.  He was addressing the two half beatial guards.  "Do I need to know of any developments."  He spoke in common tongue and his voice was oddly soft...almost sweet.  He seemed as if he was miss assigned to this detail.  But the two seasoned guards knew who it was and probably what was going to happen.  They nodded and answered him in their tongue.  They left together.

Lord Uric in his soft wispy voice began to sing.  It was a song of long lost love.  He was going to play on the fact that both Jelenis and he had been with Gen'pi.  But he would twist his side of course.  Once the song was finished he looked up into the cell where Jelenis was he seemed embrassed.  "Oh, sorry.  Did I wake you?"  He looked around sheepishly.  "I didn't mean too."  He looked down his green eyes still shimmering.  "Do- do-uh..I mean..um...you need anything?"

Flori drank some sweet hot tea.  Then Ana helped her back into the bed.  "You need your rest Queen.  Please."  The nursemaid assisted her to the luxurious bed.  Flori slipped into the cool fresh sheets and sighed softly.  "Ana, do you and Lui mind that I am mortal?"   Her voice was soft, almost childlike.  So much had happen to her since she went for her evening walk.  Her mind still spun from it all.

"Deary, no.  All we care of is your loyalty to our King Sabre.  If you are loyal to him that is all we care of.  Your children will be reared here and learn their demon heritage.  They will embrace it." 

Smiling the Queen settled into her bed.  "Ana will King Sabre take a demon female too or will I be the only one?"  Her insecurities showing.

"I can assure you love that he will lay with no other female."  The old nursemaid chuckled she had her ideas about the boy she raised and another but they were her own thoughts and she would never betray either of her boys.  She never even let Lui in on her knowledge.

Flori snuggled and Ana stroked her hair.  "Sleep Queen, there is much to be done in the next few days."  She wasn't sure how she would explain why she could not join in on the coorientation of King Sabre but perhaps something would come to mind.

Jelenis slowly looked up from the pillow he had been sobbing into to be faced by a handsome looking man and not one of the horrible creatures that had been there before.  The man had been singing and it was soft and beautiful and momentarily he had been entranced by the sound.

"Who are you?" He said wiping away another well of tears that threatened to spill from his silvery eyes.

He had been tricked by someone being gentle and kind before, he had fell for Gen'Pi the stable hand, but this man looked like a noble and surely they had more honour than to toy with a prisoner so cruelly.  Then came that sweetly asked question whether anything could be fetched for him.

"Could I have some undergarments and clothes please?" He asked tentatively, almost expecting to be laughed at or ridiculed like the others had done.

"And perhaps something to drink....I am very thirsty."

Lord Uric smiled at the boy.  It was a pleasant type of smile.  "I am Lord Uric.  I am one of the courts guards."  He bowed and upon rising winked at Jelenis.  "All that pompous stuff.  I'd much rather be reading or out riding.  Or just about anything then working.  But duty calls right."  He shrugged good naturedly.  At this point he didn't come on to or seem one bit interested in Jelenis.  He could tell the boy was hurting and to pounce too quickly would only scare him away.

"Let me get you something more...err...suitable to ware."  He went to a large cabinet at the opposite end.  Not wanting to do magic just yet.  Inside though just happened to be a pair of breeches and a soft tunic.  Stocking and boots.  He also pulled more suitable night-ware and underclothes.  "Walking it back over he smiled once again.  It was a lopsided type grin giving him an impish type appearance.  "Here you go.  I though in a few other things.  Sorry 'bout that but those beasts are well...beasts!"  He said with a comical laugh.

"Now, you know who I am...I sort of know who you are.  The very wicked Prince Jelenis!  Capture of our King!"  His voice was light and when he spoke he stood up and pretended to mimic Abigor.  "Let me guess Master Abigor right...You will pay for your misdeeds!"  He threw his hands up and snorted again.  "I know all about him.  What a monster."  He shivered.  It was all an act.

"Did you know he is the reason I am here.  This is my punishment of sorts.  He stole everything from me."  His voice grew wistful, sad.   But he quickly shook his head.  "Forget all that nonsense.  Here I am chatting away and didn't get you a drink.  Water?  Tea, Spiced Wine?"  He added the last for effect.  He wanted to see if the memory of his last drink with Jelenis would cause him to smile, blush, or tear up.  Or do all three.  He was assessing the boy during all this.  Jelenis was a fair beauty in his own right.  Black hair and silver eyes of an angel.  He could smell the faintest hint of flowers...lily he thought.  Uric needed to play his hand right here, he could tell Jelenis was very scared and who could blame him.  But it was his job to further the corruption.  Friendly first, make it seem like he had no interest in him other than someone to talk with.  Once the boy's guard went down then he would woo him.  In no time he would become the boy's second lover.  This made his inner demon want to howl and ravage the boy right there.  Instead he waited to find out which of the offered beverages Jelenis cared to indulge on.  No matter what it would be laced.

Jelenis took the clothes through the bars of his cell and huddled beneath the covers of the bed to change.  Once his bottom half was suitably attired, he slipped from the bed and picked up the tunic and pulled it on.  He was infinitely grateful for the clothes and suitable nightwear.

"Thank you Lord Uric." He said softly.

Then came the question about the beverage, there was no mistaking the pain in the young man's eyes at the mention of spiced wine and the falter in his voice as he answered.

"Water will be fine thank you Sir." He said again quite softly.

Jelenis was suspicious of anyone being nice to him at the moment, thinking that there was an ulterior motive behind every kindness, every word.  He stayed back across the cell, and did not go bear the bars to further engage the red haired lord.

Lord Uric turned to give the boy his privacy.  "Water it shall be then."  He goes over to a tray with a pitcher and pour the goblet full.  It is laced.  As usual with an inhibitor.   Lower the boy's resistance.

Uric smiled and handed the goblet to him through the bars.  "The finest of water in all of the tenth my dear boy."  After Jelenis took it he bowed and made a silly face.

The look of sadness that passed over Jelenis face did not go unnoticed by him.  He was hurting.  This in itself interested the ginger lord.  How and why would he had fallen for Genni.  Yes Genni was lovely to look at.  He was smooth with his words and knew how to be gentle.  But, so fast?  And for that matter how did Genni get caught into Jelenis aura?  Very interesting.

"You are a silent one I see.  No worries there.  For I am a talker!  Hope you do not mind.  But between you and me I think I am a better option then the last two, hmmm?"  He raised his eyes knowingly.  "They were looking at you like a piece of meat.  Where's with me your ears will be assaulted."  With that he laughed. 

He had been walking and now took his sword out.  He did a few fancy foot moves and then put it down.  He removed his coat and then his tunic.  His chest was hairless and well-toned but not quite like Gen'pi's had been.  He was tall and his breeches hugged his hips and thighs.  "I hope you don't mind."  He said casually.  As he repeated a few drills.  "I just hate keeping still for long periods of time.  How about you?  Maybe we could request exercise time!  Would you like to visit our stable?  Maybe check out the horses.  Hey, you know what they brought a lovely one back.  Its mane is darker than the rest of it.  I think it should be called Darkmane, but I'll likely get vetoed by that rag stable hand.  He thinks he is soooo much better with riding. "  He spoke in such a nonchalant voice.  As if he was talking to a friend.  Nothing more.  No other ulterior motive. 

The lord did some more moves and finally finished.  "Say, like I said I know who you are.  But, do you know what they plan to do?  I mean they can't keep you in here can they forever?"  He looked over at Jelenis.  And then just as quickly as he asked he changed the subject yet again.  "Jelenis, you like to read?  I sure do.  Maybe we can pass the time with me reading to you?  Or you to me?  Anything is better than doing nothing, right?"  He kept his friendly manner.  Not being overly so.  Just chit chat to pass the hours.  Yet everything he said was manipulated to get a reaction from Jelenis.  Like the mention of Darkmane, and the hint of Gen'pi.  Or the very thought of someone reading to him like Flori had done.  Yet the Lord seemed oblivious to Jelenis in a way that suggested they could be chums.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.

The man just seemed to speak and speak Jelenis decided.

As he stripped down to his bare chest Jelenis looked away, not wanting to look at him.  Then came the talk of horses in particular Darkmane....and more of of Gen'Pi.

"His name is Darkmane." He said sadly, as much as he wanted to see the horse he did not want to see Gen'Pi.

"I am sure the stable hand knows his business well enough....I would not want to go there though."

Then the conversation switched again to reading....another sore subject.

"Please, I feel tired.....I think I might rest if you don't mind?" He said sadly.

Lord Uric nodded.  "Well, now!  How did you know its name? "  He hesitated as the sadness seem to overwhelm Jelenis.  "I guess you are right.  Though rumor has it he is being held in a room.  If this is true I will be glad of it.  NO?  Do you not like to ride?"

But he noticed Jelenis inching closer to his bed.  "I do not mind at all.  I am guessing this is your way of politely asking me to stop talking.  Worry not I take no offence."  With a smile and a wink he pulled up a chair.  Next he went to the long cabinet and retrieved a book.  True to his word his was quiet.  Letting the boy rest but also listening for anymore communication between Genni and Jelenis.

Jelenis laid down staring at the stone wall.

"I know his name because he was my horse." He said softly.

" I liked riding...but I am never going to get a chance too again."

He had no more to say after that, he closed his eyes not wanting to say anymore.

Jelenis still felt thirsty so he reached for the cup and took a tiny sip, it tasted slightly odd but guessed the water here might taste different.

Lord Uric sat and read.  Paid no mind to the boy.  He was keeping watch and letting him try to ease.  He made no further comments.

This is when he decided to play a little.  He would imitate Gen'pi to Jelenis.  Deceive the boy into think Gen'pi was reaching out to him. 

Jelenis...I hope you can feel me.  That this works...I wanted to thank you for that wonderful night.  I will not forget it and as I sit here regaling of your lustful moans and how soft your skin felt just know the others are jealous of me.  Did you think I really loved you?  That I a pure demon could love a Halfling.  You didn't...you knew I only wanted your most precious of gifts.  And you gave it to me willingly.  You bowed to one below your station...how sweet it was I am only sorry that I could not have you again...  Something tells me you wish I could too....

Now if another was in the room all they would see is a Lord reading a book, keeping guard over a prisoner.  There were two guards stationed right out the door too.  So it was more for Lord Uric to be sure no harm came to the boy.

Jelenis felt like he heard Gen'Pi in his head and it was horrible the things he said.

He did not answer, did not know how to answer, but he started to cry softly again.  He just wanted to die, rather than listen to any more of this.

Lord Uric turned the page and for all outward appearances seemed engrossed in his book.  The boy's sobs were not lost on him.  He really did think Gen'pi had spoken to him.  He wanted to smile, chuckle, and leer at the prisoner.  But he did none of that.  Just sat and read.

It was quiet while the evening weaned.  Lord Uric stretched a few times.  Walked a bit but otherwise remained quiet. 

Sabre woke the next morning and edged off of the bed to wash an dress himself. He felt better, he nudged Abigor from the bedside.

"Wake up Gor, I remembered that last night you said you and Zenethor had plans for Jelenis, what are these, I will not see him hurt or humiliated further, he is a royal prisoner of war, I will see him treated better than I was." He said quietly.

"I will see him later, I should go and see Flori, will you accompany me?"

He shook out his silver mane and took a sip of tea from a steaming cup that had appeared.

"I want him to formally sign his kingdom to me, if he is being further hurt he will not, please tell me you both have not done something bad to him...no abuse Gor!"

Abigor woke and seeing Sabre smiled.  "Mmmm...wait, what?"

He edged off the bed a little bewildered.  Smile fading fast.  He didn't hide his confusion.  "I don't understand?  When did you change your mind?"  He was at a loss for the fifth had held him for years, over fifteen and he wanted nothing done to Jelenis?  He looked up and shook his head. 

Then he remembered he sent Lord Uric.  "I sent Lord Uric to guard him..."  He trailed off and quickly reached out to the Lord.  "I will call him off right now.  I had ordered him to lure the boy but I cannot image anything happening this night.  Let me reach out and call him off immediately." 

His Runes glowed.  A sure sign he was conflicted.  He reached out to Lord Uric.  "Uric, stand down.  We are changing course of action as requested by the King.  Please tell me what took place on your watch?"

There was a pause and the general was tense as he waited for Lord Uric to brief him on th estate of the prisoner. 

"Master Abigor...nooooo...what a pity!  Nothing of harm I assure you.  I only imposed Gen'pi's voice and mocked the boy.  I of course laced his drink.  But not a hair was touched on his little head.  In fact I even clothed the boy to give him some modesty."  With a sigh he picked up his book and headed for the door.  He didn't want to interact with Jelenis at this point so he slipped out and replaced him with another guard.  A tall pale blonde, her wings folded in but other than that appeared humanoid. 

Abigor turned back to his King.   "He was not touched my King.  His drink laced and a few mind tricks but nothing more than that."  He walked to the door leading to the back corridors stopping before he left he turned to speak.  "I will see you to your Queen, let me go around and come to the front and call upon you as I should.  After that I will escort you to Jelenis but it is best if I stay in the outer area for I think if he sees me he may not respond to you."  He put his mask up, the one he wore when he was conflicted.  "If you do not need anything further I will come around front in a few moments to collect you." 

He waited for the King to excuse him.  Inside he was a mixture of emotions.  But confusion was the most predominant. 

Sabre knew he had confused Abigor with his about turn on Jelenis, he was not entirely sure himself why he had such a change of heart.  He would try to explain later but he waited for the General to knock.

He went to the door as it came and smiled reassuringly to Abigor.

"I am not losing it Gor!" He said gently.

"Is it not better to have a willingly prisoner than a terrified abused one, I know you hate him and I may well let you kill him when this is done."

Abigor had no time to properly refresh so using his magic before stepping foot into the hall changed and appeared presentable for the court.  He exited and came around as he passed a few in the corridor he nodded respectfully.

Quickly he knocked on the Kings door and Sabre smiled.  He looked as usual magnificent.  Abigor could not help but feel the pull he did when their eyes met. 

He chuckled softly.  "If you are fear not for Master Zenethor will cure that with a good whipping."  He teased with a smile.

As they walked to Flori's quarters he listened to what Sabre said.  He had his own thoughts on the subject but he was King and in the end it was his command they followed.  "I feel I hate what he doesn't know more than what you were held too.  I cannot fault him though really, the fifth court did nothing for him.  If I thought he could be a benefit in the least I'd try to turn him to us but I fear he just doesn't possess the flare.  To handle the other rings and keep our own in line, no I think he would not be able to handle such tasks, he is ill equipped for it.  Unfortunately if he was not in our cage one of the other rings would already have him and have done much worse."

They were upon Flori's quarters and he knocked softly.

Ana had helped the Queen dress and they were enjoying some tea while Lui read.  She was alternating between readings in common tongue and demonic.  But upon the entrance of King Sabre and Master Abigor she stood and bowed. 

Flori's eyes brightened and she practically leapt from her seat to rush to him.  "Sabre!   It feels like it has been ages since we last seen each other."  Her arms around him and pulling him as close as she could.

Abigor just stood outside the door.  His chest tightening a bit, but she was his wife after all...soon to be mother of his child.

Sabre smiled as Flori almost snapped him in half with her hug.

"Steady now Flori Flower." He said softly.

"Let me take a look at you."  He gently held her at arms length to check she seemed well and to compliment the scarlet velvet gown she wore.

"It compliments your hair and eyes my love....and I must say you are looking fit and well, are Ana and Lui taking good care of you?"

He grinned to the older woman who once upon a time was his nursemaid from when he was a baby right up the day he was abducted.

He gestured to Abigor to come in.

"Flori, the General will assign you a personal guard, they will go with you everywhere outside of this room for your own safety...Abigor perhaps you can tell Flori who you might have in mind."

The red haired man and his chatter were gone, a new guard replaced him a woman, she did not speak much.  She bought him a plate of hot food and a pot of tea and set it down and then went to stand by the cell door.

He slowly and mechanically ate the food, wondering whether he could use the knife to slice his wrists and die.  As if sensing the young man's thoughts, the woman came and took the knife and the glass goblet of water from him.

Once done he went and sat in the chair by the fire, how long would they hold him?

Flori smiled and laughed...then blushed.  "Thank you Sabre. I have missed you so."  She gave him one lighter hug and then just held his hand softly.  At the mention of the general she stiffened a little but held her smile.

"Yes please Lord Abigor, oddly I hope whoever it is they are as fiercely protective of me as you are of the King."  She lowered her gaze some but still held her smile.  She was oblivious to their true feelings for one another.

Abigor came forward, your grace he said to the Queen as he bowed.  "I think you will be pleased, I have assigned one of our most accomplished commanders.  His name is Bouli and I think you will find he will serve you and ..."  He winked in a playful type way... "Most fierce in his protection of you.  He should arrive within the hour."  With that he nodded respectfully at Ana and Lui.
His eyes roamed over the room not that he did not trust Master Zenethor but just because it was his way.  To make certain the safety of all within these castle walls.

Flori smiled.  "Thank you Lord Abigor.  I am sure he will be."  She was curious of this demon who would be assigned to her.  Would they be close friends like Sabre and his general?  Or maybe not because he would not want to break protocol?

"Sabre will you be staying with me for a bit?  Lui was trying to teach me your language so when our baby comes it won't be so hard for me to communicate with him.  Or her..."  She quickly smiled. 

She also wanted to ask something else but was nervous too.  Remembering the scene of Jelenis and Gen'pi in the throes of pleasure made her face flame.  She shook her head and pushed it away.  She wasn't ready to see him yet.  Trying to cover her thoughts with happier ones she looked up and into those marvelous dark eyes.  "Sabre will you take me outside?  Can you show me around here?  Is there a garden like the one you found back at the fortress?"

Sabre smiled and patted her hand.

"I have matters of state to attend to here my love....as King my duties are heavy."

He turned to Abigor.

"Perhaps Bouli might start, he can show Flori the castle gardens, when my schedule allows I will continue."

He hugged her tightly and knew she would not like this much.....but she had to understand he was a King here.

"Is your room comfortable love....are Ana and Lui doing enough?"

Flori bite her lip.  This was not good.  Not good at all!  Had she known this she would have pleaded with him not to go.  For a moment she wished them back to before all the other showed up.  When it was just the three of them.  Sabre, Jelenis, and herself.  She had a sinking feeling this was the new norm and there wouldn't be much she could do about it.

"I am sure he will attend to all her needs.  Queen Flori you only need ask him and as long as it is deemed safe he will escort you."  Abigor excused himself after that and went by the door.  Not wanting to invade the Kings time with his wife.

"They are love.  More than I deserve I am sure.  I want for nothing but more time with you."  She pouted a little.  "I fear you will soon forget about me."  She could not help it.  She didn't want to burden him but this was not what she envisioned.  "Perhaps once our little one arrives you will have more free time.  You know you could always visit me at night....we are married...."  She smiled coyly at him remembering the night they had spent wrapped up in each other.

Bouli made his way to the wing housing the Queen.  In his human form he was a pleasant fellow, maybe roguishly handsome.  Shaggy brown locks with a subtle wave, crystal blue eyes, not too tall and not too short, obviously fit.  He was more a slender build with lean muscles.  Very quick with a bow or any throwing weapon.  He is young with only one Rune but he wore it proudly for it was Abigor who allowed Master Kora to bequeath it to him.  It was the Rune Uruz, meaning great physical strength and speed, untamed potential therein.  He was very proud of this rune, very proud.

Seeing Master Abigor he approaches and bows gracefully.  "Master Abigor, I am here to report..."  As he turned to look into the room upon seeing the King for the first time he went right to his knees and lowered his head.  As he whispered..."My King...I am honored King Sabre, I hail you with my service.  May I always meet your grace with agreement?"  He was in awe of the demon before him.  His King was even more beautiful than the stories told of him.

Sabre nodded.

"You are well met Bouli and you guard my greatest treasure...my wife and heir." He said to the proud young warrior.

"You are trained by Abigor...yes?"He caught sight of the Rune and smiled...."And marked by Master Kora...if you look after my wife well I will gift you another one to go with it...one Kora will not know." He winked conspiratorially.

Kora was good.....he was better.

He turned back to his wife.

"When things settle down Flori I am sure that I will be able to devote my time to you as I should...be patient my love." He said softly.

"You are Queen and my people will be curious of you...let them see you, but always with Bouli for protection." He said softly.

Everyone knew of the legendary Rune Lore the Prince had done.  So what he said was not wasted on Bouli. 

"Thank you, King Sabre.  It is my honor."  He nodded again and stepped to Master Abigor's side.  once he did the general instructed him quietly as to not disturb Sabre and Flori.


Flori smiled at the guard curiously.  He seemed eager to please and was not all scary in the Lord Abigor was.  Oddly this was a relief.  When her beautiful husband addressed her again she softly smiled trying to reassure him she would be okay and it was just that she missed him.

"I will always do as you ask of me Sabre so patient I shall be."  She returned to his side sensing he would be getting ready to depart.  She held him close.  "I will do as you advise.  You need not worry.  Your wife and unborn child will be safe." 

Flori reached in for a kiss.  Her sparkling blue eyes half closed as her lips slightly parted for a sweet kiss.

He leaned forward and lightly kissed her waiting lips acutely aware Abigor's eyes were on them.  He pulled back and held her hands and smiled.

"Heed Bouli when you are out my darling....you may take Ana or Lui or both as chaperones if you so wish."

"Now for my next visit...a more difficult one....the prisoner....Abigor have you finished your instruction." He said quietly.

By the prisoner he met Jelenis of course, he knew the young man played on Flori's mind but she was avoiding asking of him.

"What you saw at the Fortress in Jelenis' room was naughty and wicked my love, lowering himself to a stable boy was very wrong, but you cannot blame young men about being curious I suppose....more discreet would have been appropriate!"

He shook his head.

"He is aware of who and what he is now....ashamed of what he did....it will not happen again....but innocence once lost cannot be reclaimed....time in prison will help him reflect on this."

He turned to the door.

"Come General....we have business to attend."

She looked over at the young warrior and nodded.  "Yes, love I will.  Thank you."

Flori blushed as he referred to Jelenis.  She did want to know but was confused.  She found that she cared for him.  She wondered if Gen'pi was hurting too.  But shook these thoughts for she only had a little time with Sabre and wanted them to be about him.


"I hope he sees all this and he doesn't make it harder on himself.  Uh, Sabre...wait." 

"I have finished King Sabre.  Whenever you are ready we shall call upon the prisoner."  Abigor went to go until he head the Queen call out.  He stopped and looked at Sabre as her question was asked.

She hesitated but then asked before he left.  "One thing, will he remember everything?"  She looked at him and her question ran much deeper than the simple words.  She wanted to know if Jelenis remember being her pony.  The whipping he took and the one he gave her?  Her eyes held his with a bit of a worried expression.

Abigor stood still and then he saw a flash of her thoughts.  He closed his eyes.  Why has Sabre changed his mind?  He understood what he said but not the reason he did.  When clearly a short time ago he was willing to turn him into a pony and have Flori whip him?   What had changed his mind?

Sabre shook his head.

"No darling....I did not give those memories back.....he just knows what he needs to know." He said softly.

He felt Abigor's confusion and stole a glance to him, he would settle him as they walked.  They left Flori's room and started to walk the long corridor.

"You wonder if I am compromised by his accursed power like Gen'Pi.....don't you Gor?" He stared ahead as they traversed the long stone hallway.

"I am not.....I just remember how I felt as a boy....I see it in him, though hated enemy he is.....I pity him." He said softly.

"I am not like most of our ilk.....I do not know why.....but I am not....I feel emotions like pity."

He stopped and stared up into Abigor's eyes.

"He is still our prisoner...but I wanted him treated to the letter of the accords for Royal prisoners....I will not be cast as a tyrant."

Flori felt a little relieved knowing Jelenis wouldn't remember everything.  "Thank you Sabre."  She watched him leave and part of her ached to go with him. 

Bouli nodded upon their exit and went towards the door.  "I shall be right outside the door my Queen."

"Wait...um...Lui was reading and trying to teach me your language if you would like to stay?"  She looked at him hopefully.  It would be nice to be friends with him, maybe be as close as Sabre and Abigor she thought innocently enough.

Bouli looked at Ana who nodded her okay. 

"I would be happy to my Queen."  Bouli walked over and sat never Lui where they instructed Flori on their language, with Ana watching over them.

Abigor rubbed his eyes.  They were walking the long corridors to the cell which held Jelenis.  "I fear something has befallen you.  I just cannot understand it.  I mean you no disrespect King Sabre.  I don't but it is hard for me to justify him receiving any grace when none was shown for you."

"You feel pity for him?"  He slowed his stride to almost a stop.  "When you were bound to him, did you befriend him?  Did you try to teach him our ways?"  He was serious.  For he did not think Sabre did anything but protect Jelenis as he was bound to do by the boy's father.  "If you showed no mercy than why would you now?"   He picked up his pace trying hard to understand the demon walking next to him.

"It will take me time King Sabre.  I cannot just turn off emotions I have harbored for so long.  But..."  He stopped and caught Sabre's arm urging him to look at him.  "If I feel you are in threat at any time please know I will not allow that.  And I will defend you.  If that means the boy dies then so be it.  You are my first priority."  He said it respectfully enough but his eyes showed the emotion that went with it all. 

Gen'pi was restless.  Locked in a room was the worse.  It was as if he was being punished.  He wanted to be with Jelenis.  He loved him.  Why were they being kept apart.

He tried to reach him but didn't know if it worked.   He laid back on the bed he was too exhausted to cry.  His breakfast tray lay untouched as had the dinner plate from the night before.  He absently heard the door opening but didn't look up.

"Genni!  You're not eating?"  The voice was soft.  The demon was concerned.  She had a mop of curly hair.  A soft brown with wide eyes the color of shimmering gold. 

"Nyla!  Where is he?  Have you seen him?"

"No Genni I haven't are you going to ask me to go?"

"Yes please.  I want...what..."  He began to cry and the young demon held him to her.  Trying to give comfort.

"What would you like me to tell him?"

"Tell him...tell him...No here..."  he reached in his pocket and pulled out the trinket.  The jade green gem still attached on a cord.  "Please give this to Jelenis tell him to remember what I said when I first gave it to him, we will always be connected if he has this."

Nyla took it and put it in her pocket.  "Okay Genni, now please eat.  Or I won't"  She had to do something he looked awful.

Once he forced some food down she left. 

Nyla went down the corridor and tried to avoid running into anyone.

Sabre stopped and looked to his friend, his would be lover.

"I had no choice in anything when I was abducted Gor, I was scared, alone, forced to serve as protector to a baby by a King that was my enemy.  That was not Jelenis' fault....no more than it was mine." He said softly trying to make Abigor understand.

" I was not particularly his friend....nor did I teach him of our ways.....I was full of anger and murder....killing any who tried to harm him because that was what I had to do and because I was trapped."

He reached up to touch Abigor's cheek.

"Should I do the same as his father and make the cycle repeats?"

He looked up innocently into the General's eyes as he so often did as a young man.

"Or shall I prove we of the Tenth are better than all the rest. Let all Ring Demons see I am the one to follow?"

A low rumble emanated.  The touch sent his body to shiver.  "No you should not.  I would like nothing more than for you to lead them all, but what I said before was not a threat.  I will kill any who bring harm your way."  He still had his misgivings but for now was satisfied this was Sabre speaking and no form of trickery was being held over him.

"Have you communicated to Master Zenethor?"  He set them back in motions as they walked a few of the staff couldn't help but sneak a peek at their King.  It had been so long since they last saw Sabre.  He was even lovelier than they remembered.

"I will need to speak with Viola, Kora, and Uric after this.  I hope you might come with me.  I think Kora and Uric would be most pleased to see you up close again."  They were leading to the doorway that housed Jelenis.  For they did not have him in the dungeon.  He was hosed in an area that was heavily guarded and fasten with bars.   Powerful runes were set over the space to ward off enemies.

"I think you will be pleased with his quarters.  We did as you requested.  Lord Uric even provided him with decent clothing."  He stopped him once again with a gentle touch to the sleeve.  "King Sabre, There is an ante room I will stay in, he fears me.  Before we came through I did threaten him so if I am in room I think he may not be as responsive.  But I ask you leave the door ajar.  No matter what I do not trust him as you do yet."  He removed his hand and went to open the door for Sabre and stand back as he entered.  The two guards stationed in the adjoining room stood up a bit straighter then their already upheld position and bowed their heads.  The door leading to Jelenis' cell was to the right.

Sabre stopped outside the door and turned back to Abigor,

"I will come with you to see the others when I am done here." He said softly.

He smiled, turned and gestured foe the door to be unlocked, stepping in he saw Jelenis sat miserably on the bed.

"Hello Jel." He said quietly.

Jelenis looked up at the sound of Sabre's voice and his silver eyes filled with fear and anger.

"You bastard... How could you let that happen to me...why would you do it!" Jelenis snapped.

Sabre did not react to the boy's anger, but stood quietly, letting him rant.

"You were meant to look after me.....what did you do to Bel and Tray?"

Sabre finally held up his hand to silence Jelenis.

"Your father is dead.....you are a half blood....not fit to lead.....I have done you a favour boy.....had it not been Gen....it would have been Viola and I doubt she would have been so gentle....it was just your innocence...grow up and live with it.....you lost it to Genni....and despite your protests you liked it."

He softened.

"There is no shame in it."

Abigor stood in the outer room and listened.  He didn't feel in any way that Sabre was being threatened but felt a bit protective of Sabre at this moment.  There first morning back he just needed to feel he was safe.  As Sabre and Jelenis were talking he began to wonder whom he trusted enough to stand guard with the King,

There would be times that he would not be able to be at his side.  He needed someone he trusted above all else.  Kora and Uric were needed as they were stationed.  Viola...no...she would become annoying to Sabre.  He had two he thought would do but would run them by King Sabre and Master Zenethor first. 

As he heard Gen'pi's name he flared his nostrils.  The poor demon fell hard for Jelenis.  He should make a visit to the lad.  He didn't want him to waste away.  Gen'pi was loyal and an assist.  One he didn't wish to loose. 

He though again of his talk with Master Zenethor.  He needed to see his mother she would be pleased that he would consider a mate.  It was high time and now that Sabre was back things might fall into order.  He didn't want his lineage to end with him.

Sabre watched as Jelenis crumpled at the mention of Gen'Pi, his face was red with embarrassment and shame.

"It was wrong Sabre....never mind if I liked it......or him......you took advantage!"

Jelenis turned away sobbing into the pillow again.

The Demon king shook his head.

"I need you to think on something...your kingdom....signing it to me.....do not answer now in your anger and upset....I will have an agreement drawn up.....if you agree you will be allowed to live in comfort here." He said quietly.

With that he left the cell and went to Abigor.

"Let's go find Kora and Uric......I need a drink......then I will go and rest....the secret passage will be open if you wish to come to me." He said softly in Gor's mind.

The General had not strayed far.  "King Sabre."  He said aloud and then guided him towards the door.   He heard what Sabre had said and he squeezed the King's arm softly as way of acknowledgement. 

Once alone he kept his voice low.  "Are you sure you are up for it.  I mean seeing Kora and Uric?  You don't have to today."  He was concerned all those years out of the ring really have taken a toll and he didn't want the King over extending himself. 

Though he kept walking he looked over at him.  The next part he spoke only to Sabre...  "I would rather be nowhere else then at your side Sabre.  For the next few days you will be stuck with me.  So yes I will be there."  He kept his gaze straight ahead and they walked at a peaceful pace.

A young chambermaid turned the corner and stopped in her tracks.  The King!  The General!  She kneeled down.  "You're Graces."  Her voice was sweet.   Her wild curly hair bouncing in all direction.

"Nyla, it is good to see you dear.  Please stand and meet your King."  Abigor held his hand to the young demon.  She was pretty as only youth could be.  She was all of 18 seasons and looked and appeared as innocent as she was.  Vewick

"King Sabre, this is Nyla, you may remember her father.  Vewick, their family makes that lovely red wine we like.  She has taken a role here as requested by her aunt Yuri, for unfortunately Vewick is not with us any longer." 

Abigor's voice softened a bit in the introduction of Nlya.  He had liked her father and well her mother was nice but useless thankfully Yuri stepped in to help the young demon out. 
He knew Sabre was tired.  He thought back to last night.  Just holding him had been fulling enough. 

Nyla was nervous to saay the least.  The King!  He was so beautiful.  No that seemed too weak a word but what else could she use to describe him.  She raised up when she took General Abigor's hand.  He blinked a few times and swallowed hard.  She was so nervous.  But not from the package she was going to try and deliver to Jelenis.  Though if she would have thought of it than she would have passed out from fright.

No, she was just being in the two powerful demons presence.  They commanded respect just by simply walking into the room. 

"Yes King Sabre, my father was lost in the war.  But he always spoke to fondly of you as does my Aunt Yuri."  She held her head low as well as her voice.  She was so nervous.

Sabre smiled and touched her face lightly.

"I knew your father.....I am very sorry to hear if your loss my lady." He said softly, it did not matter that she was a maid, he used the title politely.

"I hope to soon bring an end to the war and honour our dead."

He turned to Abigor.

"We should go to see Kora and Uric......then I will rest."

Jelenis realised that Sabre had now left and he slowly sat up and rubbed the tears from his eyes. How could Sabre have betrayed him so, he had always been mean...ill tempered...but he had always looked after him, protected him.  Had he misread the demon so much?

He was sorely worried for Bel and Trayder, they actually did care for him a great deal....he had hoped Sabre had not killed them.

What of the girl.....of Flori....was she here?

His thoughts did wander to Gen'Pi and his face became heated, Sabre had been right, he felt something for him, despite feeling so betrayed. He had started to enjoy what they were doing before Abigor interrupted.  He knew it was wrong.....his mother would have had a fit and beat him senseless if she had found out. Would his demon father have cared?

Now the rumours were being spread across the rings, he had given him self up to a stable lad, been caught in the act.  Even if he had wanted to be King it was impossible now!

Abigor watched Sabre closely.  He was right.  Sabre wasn't like most demons he was different in so many ways.  He nodded to the young demon and gestured for Sabre to follow to the war-room.  He reached out to Master Zenethor to let him know of their plans in case he cared to join.


Nyla stepped to the side.  She couldn't believe he actually spoke to her.  He even remembered her father.  Not only that, he called her a lady.  She couldn't help but smile.  She hurried to where the prisoner was being kept.  She knocked timidly.

Abigor steered Sabre in the direction of the war-room but still kept one pace behind him.  "I have been thinking of assigning you a person guard as well.  For I won't always be able to be at your side.  I have two in mind.  I would like to introduce them to you after we dine."  He wasn't sure how well Sabre would receive this news.  "I still need to discuss the two in mind with Master Zenethor and see if he thinks they are acceptable."

As he spoke they approached the room.  Abigor opened for Sabre and stepped to the side.  "Your highness."  He motioned for Sabre to enter.

Inside both Kora and Uric stood at attention waiting to receive King Sabre.  Both had smiles for it had been a very long time since they last were all together.  As he entered both kneeled and respectfully pledged themselves to him.

Kora couldn't believe how beautiful Sabre was.  He surpassed anything all the rings had ever seen.  "You majesty.  King Sabre, it is good to have you home."

Uric grin was as wide as his face as he kneeled before Sabre.  "Welcome home my King.  Let it be a long and prosperous reign for you."

Abigor watched he was smiling now himself.  He had longed for this day and it was here.  How the two demons before them now would receive King Sabre's command was iffy, they would follow it that he had no doubt.  But like himself they would be filled with doubts.  It would be his job to ease those.  He took a deep breath fully entering the room and closing the door.   

Nyla waited at the door and one of the guards opened it.  "I have something for the prisoner if you please allow me to see him."

The guard let her in.  It was Nyla after all.  What harm could she do?  He escorted her to the other door opened and looked at the winged guard inside they nodded in a form of silent communication and he urged Nyla in and closed the door behind her.  The female guard stepped back and let Nyla approach.

The girl was nervous.  So her voice was soft as she called out to him.  "Excuse me Prince Jelenis?"  She saw him sitting up in the bed but he seemed so deep in thought.  "I am sorry to intrude like this.  If you would come closer I have something for you."

Her voice was sweet.  Because she was.  Though a demon she had never left the plain.  She held no bitterness inside her for anything.  She was as innocent as Jelenis in that she had no ill intentions for others.

Sabre was a little shocked that Abigor would put another personal guard to him, hurt as well, but like he had as a boy, he suppressed his feelings and did not let it show.  He walked into the war room to be greeted by Kora and Uric, who both smiled and took their knee.  Sabre bade them to rise and embraced each in turn, with love and warmth, he had missed them too.

He still was very attuned to Abigor's thoughts and picked up on what he was thinking.

None of them really trusted him....they thought him turned by the Fifth somehow.

He sat in the chair at the head of the table, he needed to tackle this head on.

Do you consider me a traitor....or compromised gentlemen...if so you need to place me under arrest now....and lock me up until you discern the truth." He looked pointedly at all three of them.

Jelenis looked up at the sweet voice and saw a girl, not much older than himself, he manage a smile.

"I have already eaten." But he was curious and stepped up to her.

Despite his red eyes from crying he was still very handsome.

"Please...do not call me prince for I am not.....just Jelenis will do." He said softly.

As he approached she smiled wider.  His silver eyes were gentle and her own gold ones seemed to contrast their shared nervousness.  "You are still a Prince, the bars cannot take that away from you."  She reached in her pocket and pulled out the object but it was covered in her fist.

"I'm Nyla, and I don't have food or anything but here."  She pushed her hand through the bars and held the jade green gem on the simple leather cord out to him.  Her voice trembled.  "Please take it.  He wanted you to have it.  In fact he ran back in and searched he was almost left behind.  They have him locked in a room too."  She hesitated and her face grew red.  "He said to remember what he told you when he gave it to you."  Her hand trembled as she offered Jelenis the gem.

"I don't know if you really cared for him or not, but I know Genni cared very deeply for you not matter what others may try to say or weave spells of, you know in your heart if he was truthful or not, now it is up to you to stay strong.  Remember if you truly loved him then you will not succumb to the lies.  But that is only if you truly loved him."  She waited for the Prince she knew Gen'pi loved him but she was frightened of him.  Very frightened inside that he hurt Genni.

Jelenis looked at her a little confused as she held out the green gem that Gen'Pi had given to him as a gift.

"He told you to give me this?" That did not sound like the actions of someone that had just used him as part of a plan to discredit him in a kingdom he had never known.

"He told me that he loved me...always." He said softly, his silvery eyes shimmering again.

Could Gen'Pi have really have meant that, had he been equally duped by his own masters into carrying out the order only to find himself equally as in trouble as Jelenis himself.

"Tell him...I remember it." He said softly his hand clasping round the green gem.

"Tell him I am sorry this has happened...and perhaps one day it might be different if we ever leave this place."

Sabre regarded the three demon Generals that sat before him, silent after he had posed that question.

"Well gentlemen...am I going to spend my time locked up and in chains until you decide I have not been tainted by the half blood...my people told I am indisposed until you have reached that decision!"

His runes were starting to glow now, not the violet reserved for when he had been teasing Abigor, these were a deep powerful purple.

"I am Saberion, son of Renaris and Cathria, I am King!  If any think I have been tainted then I am happy to meet them on the field of battle and prove that I am not!" He said sharply.

He needed to quell this doubt once and for all and prove that he truly was the King and he was home!

Abigor was shocked.  Where was this coming from?  Had he not done everything Sabre had asked?

Kora and Uric's smiles faded and they looked back and forth to Abigor confused by their king?

The General took a careful breath.  "Lord Kora, Lord Uric.  Would you please excuse us a moment."  Both demons nodded, stood, and left the room.  Abgior threw   up a spell to ward them in so no ears would hear them.

He looked at his king.  His eyes clearly distressed.  "Sabre..."  He used his name which meant he was very concerned.  "Please, why are you..."  He didn't know what to say.  Sabre's words stung him.  "Do you think after all this time and everything you and I have gone through I would ever call you traitor?  Or allow one who works for me, for us to do so?"

He went to reach for Sabre's hand.  Gentle, just a light touch.  "What have I done that makes you think this of me, or Kora and Uric?"  He was worried. 

Sabre trembled as Abigor spoke, his dark eyes shimmered with tears. It was exhaustion, fear, being totally overwhelmed at being home.

"You don't want to be my protector anymore." He said quietly.

"You think I have been compromised because I showed leniency to Jelenis.....if you think it then they will think it!" His voice was rising in agitation.

The eighteen years he had been gone had finally taken their toll....one night's sleep just had not been enough.

"I am scared Abigor.....what if I am not a King like my father was....what if the people reject me?"

He was like a boy again....the hard shell he created out on the Human Plane was crumbling. The almost innocent Sabre was showing through.

"Sabre..."  He barely whispered the king's name.  He stood up and walked to him.  The room was sealed no one could enter or hear them.  He pulled the king to his feet and embraced him gently.  He stroked his hair.  That beautiful silvery hair that shined like moonbeams.  "Shhh that is not it."  He kissed the top of his head and willed his desire back.  "No one but you and Master Zenethor will ever hear my doubts.  To all other's it is your rule.  I enforce it unquestionably.  What discussions we have and what difference of opinions we hold are for our ears only.  And Master Zenethor for he is a great confidant and friend."  He pulled away slightly and put his thumb and forefinger on the king's face he drew it up softly.  Leaned in and kissed him tenderly.  "They may have doubts but I am here to ease them.  I am here to ensure your ways are carried out.  No one will dare defy you Sabre.  They know the magic you hold and it is feared more than my blade ever will be.  You have nothing to fear.  Your clan believes in you.  Wants to please and follow you.  So lead us like I know you are capable of."

He didn't let go just held him softly in a lovers embrace.  This was not a time to be his General this time he felt Sabre needed his friendship.

"As for your decision, you showed be glad I question it, this only means I do not fear you but respect you enough to voice my concern.  I have grown too Sabre and I know I am not always right, in fact more times than not I am proven wrong so I can accept this.  Though it takes me more time then you.  So I most ask you to give me that.  As for your father, well I know I am not alone in thinking that you will prove to be a much more powerful and wise King.  I mean no disrespect to him, but I know you were born for this role and I to be your protector.  I only fear that I need another for times when I am called away.  Sabre I don't want you alone.  It isn't that I don't think you cannot take care of yourself, you have for 18 years, but I don't want you to anymore."  He looked in Sabre's eyes.  "For me, your oldest friend, will you let me place another near you when I cannot be the one?"  His eyes pleaded.  For maybe the first time in his life he was asking him for something that wasn't duty bound but emotional charged.  "I cannot bare to lose you again Sabre.  I just don't think I would make it."

Sabre leaned against him, glad for Abigor's strength, how was it he understood him more than he understood himself at times.

"I just feel tired Gor." He said softly.

"Being there for so long had taken its toll on me...the magic it took to hold the Fortress, to cast the portal...I feel so tired." He whispered.

He knew he should apologise to Uric and Kora, he looked up to Abigor.

"Let them back in....I need to apologise openly to you and them...they are my brothers....you are my love....I will not hide behind excuses." He said trying to steel himself upright and not melt against Abigor in exhaustion again.

"Afterwards...I should meet Zenethor, then make an address to the people...work to set a date for the coronation."

He was unsteady on his feet again, knowing he should take to his rooms, but he would not be seen as weak.

Abigor held his breath Sabre's words filled him.  He was Sabre's love.  "I know you must be exhausted Sabre.  I wish I could order you to rest.."  He kissed his head softly.  "I will let them back in.  I want to get you back into bed as soon as I can.  You need rest right now, not doubt."

He reluctantly let go of Sabre but not before he kissed him one last time.  Just a soft, gentle kiss.  He stepped back and let the spell recent.  "Please Lord Kora, Uric you may return."

Abigor gave Sabre a knowing smile.  Letting him know how much he cared not just about all the other things, but cared about him and his feelings.

"King, Master Abigor."  Both demons returned a bit on edge at first.

Abigor nodded and gestured towards the two chairs opposite the large desk.  He took one himself and left the master chair for the king.

"Thank you, M'lords.  If you would give King Sabre your undivided attention."  He nodded to the King.

He saw him a bit unsteady but something told him to give Sabre his space he needed to do this.

Kora and Uric took their seats and he saw them look with uncertainty to Abigor.

"Gentlemen, I offer you my deepest apologies for my behaviour and words a moment ago, years up on the Mortal Plane have made me suspicious and needful to defend my actions.....I beg your forgiveness brothers." He said softly, sincerely.

"The work you have done in my absence goes beyond duty, you have kept the kingdom safe....is there any reward I might offer you?"

He turned his dark eyes to Abigor.

"Lord Abigor, of course I would be happy to meet any new guard as you see fit." He said finally.

"I still have a kingdom to rule through the actions of my most loyal like yourselves."

Both lords relaxed.  It was only understandable that this would happen.

"I never thought of it King Sabre.  I have no desire for more.  Although I would like to keep utilizing the library here, if you will still permit.  Still many tomes I have not yet been able to read."  Kora nodded and smiled. 

Lord Uric had to agree.  Sure he wondered why Master Abigor didn't just take the kingdom himself, instead of holding fast that Sabre would return.  But now he sees why.  King Sabre has returned.  Abigor was faithful to him and him alone.  As Kora spoke first he could think he'd want for anything.  His needs and wants met, fulfilled.  Ahhh, yes...  "King Sabre, I truly do not want or seek reward for a duty I pledged to do.  But, I lack the ability of Rune Magic and for a long while I've been looking to add to mine, it has been many years since my last.  When things settle would you do me the honor to grant me one of your choosing."  He lowered his head.

Abigor watched with a smile.  He was right Sabre was going to make a better King than his father just in the way he handled himself and his subjects. 

Sabre nodded.

"Lord Kora, the library is forever at your disposal and Lord Uric when you are ready I will grant you two Runes of your own choosing, I am sure Lord Kora can advise you on which will be best for you."

He smiled graciously.

"When it comes to placing them I will put them there myself."

He looked to Abigor.

"What of you Lord Abigor.....what reward might I grant you?" He said softly.

In his mind he knew what Gor wanted more than anything...but he would ask if there was anything outwardly he might want?

He'd been hoping that Sabre wouldn't ask him.  He'd hoped to get away not saying anything.  But it wasn't to be.  So he looked away something told him Sabre knew what he really wanted.  What he longed and ached to have.  He wouldn't say it here.  No.  Sabre already knew what he truly wanted.

"My king."  He closed his eyes and smiled softly the gallery.  Yes!  Opening his eyes a grinning wickedly, "When you are all caught up, we will spar.  For old times sakes.  And Master Zenethor will not be allowed to impede either of us.  That is what I truly wish for."

It was simple.  It would be fun.  It would be highly charged.  His eyes gave him away.  One of them would be whipped...but not by their master. 

Nyla smiled and nodded yes when the Prince asked her.  It broke her heart to seem his eyes shimmer.  Her own watered.  Her voice hoarse with unsteady tears and sympathy.  "I will Prince.  I will...  Remember that you too are a Prince.  Never forget who you are."  She whipped away some tears.  "If you want I can be your in between.  You know pass messages if you'd like.  I know Genni would love to hear what you just told me.  He is miserable.  He loves you Prince Jelenis."  She smiled softly.  "Next time I'll bring you something to write with.  He would love that and I will have him write you something as well."

She stood back up.  Trying to keep her smile.  If only she could get them some time together.  But how with Genni locked up in a room and Prince Jelenis here. 

Sabre nodded so graciously to Abigor's request.

"Of course Lord Abigor...I recall we have unfinished business in the Gallery." He said his eyes bright with amusement, a bit more like his old self.

He nodded to Kora and Uric as he rose.

"Gentlemen, please do not let me detain you any longer, when things are settled we shall dine all four of us, not as a King and subjects but as friends as we once and always shall be." He said softly.

He started for the door.

"Abigor...you are with me....I need to meet with Lord Zenethor, can you take me to where he will be at this hour please." He ordered.

As they left he spoke privately to Abigor in his mind.

"So...I think you think you will beat me in the gallery." He mused.

"I think you want to try out Master Zenethor's cane on your king!"

Abigor relaxed.  This was his Sabre!  He smiled softly and nodded as they all rose.  "Maybe we should order a bonfire."

This received a laugh from them all. 

Kora and Uric rose and stood aside to let the General and King pass.  They spoke amongst themselves, aloud.  Kora urging Uric to the library there were a few Runes he would show to him.

When he heard Sabre it was all he could do not to shout out laughing.  So he answered Sabre...  Or maybe I will lose again and let you cane me!  Hmmm...would you like to Sabre...cane your powerful general?  He raised his eyebrow mirthfully.  He loved the way they teased one another. 

"He should be in his study, right near the gallery."  He smiled...no grinned.  "I meant it too King.  I look forward to us sparring.  It was always one of the most enjoyable times I had with you."  He added silently...  The way you'd tease me with you supple lean body...the softest of touches...by all how I didn't ravish you is beyond my comprehension.

"Perhaps you should wear that outfit...you know the one."  He spoke this as if he asked Sabre how was his soup.  Like it was just a normal conversation.

They approached Master Zenethor's study and out of respect Abigor knocked and then opened the door when bade to do so and allowed Sabre to enter first.

Sabre has a small smile on his face as they had walked and spoken silently with each other as was their way.  He liked to tease Abigor, had done ever since they had become friends, perhaps even a little before that.

"What outfit would that have been...you liked so many?" He said as they reached the door.

"And the threat of my father is why you did not ravish me!" He purred softly.

He entered after Abigor knocked to find the old demon at his desk going over plans.

"My Lord King....do you feel better?" He said looking up at the pair.

Sabre smiled wryly.

"Not as well as I might like my Lord....but there are things to be done and I should start by telling you that I have shown leniency to the prisoner...but I am sure you are already aware of that."

Zenethor raised an eyebrow.

"I am...why...I will not fathom....he is a prisoner....you are not your father that is for sure!"

Sabre shook his head and paced the room, somehow sitting in front of Zenethor would make him feel small and weak.

"I have my reasons....now I would hear plans about the coronation, I think it would only re-reinforce my hold if you allowed Flori to be there."

Zenethor nodded as if expecting this request.

"Abigor and I discussed it when you were sleeping...we are in agreement, though an outsider the Queen may attend."

He looked critically at the pacing man, he was far too pale, tired looking, here he could override even the king in orders.

"Lord Abigor...please escort the King back to his chamber he needs to rest...and I mean rest!" He said pointedly.

"Sabre you will do so for the next two days at least, Abigor, Kora and Uric may attend you when you are awake...if you do not obey this order.....then I will be forced to send Ana to you." He said with a slow smile.

"I am sure she will be more than happy to tuck you into bed and ensure you remain there, probably feed you a bottle of hot milk like an infant if I ask her!"

Sabre went to protest but Zenethor's gaze quelled his tongue, just like it had as a boy, he knew better than to argue with him.

Jelenis looked thankfully to the young woman and nodded to her request.

"Please tell him that I understand, he was made to do what he did....I would have preferred we learned to explore and had taken our time...but it did happen....I hold him no ill will." He said softly.

"Let him know I do love him."

Nyla clasped her hands together.  "I will Prince Jelenis.  You are a better demon than many and I am honored to have met you."  She looked back over her shoulder.

"I will go now to Genni and return when I can.  Hold fast Prince Jelenis."  Her eyes held genuine warmth. 

She left and hurried out.  Genni needed to hear what the Prince said.  It would make all the difference in his outlook.  Maybe even encourage him to regain his strength.

Abigor listened but kept silent.  He was rewarded for this as Master Zenethor ordered Sabre to rest.  Though he would enjoy nothing more than to make-love to Sabre he also recognized that the King was exhausted.  Sabre needed his rest.

"I saw ensure he rests Master Zenethor.  Only rests.  You have my word."  He stood up to escort the King to his quarters. "One thing Master, I had a few matters to discuss with you.  Once I have the King resting and properly guarded may I return to review these with you?"

Abigor wanted to go over the private guard he had in mind.  His concerns over Gen'pi and how they could deal with him.  As well as assigning Viola to the otter posts for he felt that until Jelenis signed over the fifth they were sure to try and infiltrate the tenth.  They had the demon power to fight off an attack but he wanted the reassurance that Master Zenethor agreed or if he didn't.

Zenethor nodded to Abigor.

"Very well Abigor....come back once the King is settled." He said turning back to his papers.

Sabre frowned as he walked from The study back to his rooms.

"He would still treat me as a child!" He mused.

"He would have me tucked up and read bedtime stories!"

He looked teasingly to Abigor.

"Are you going to tuck me in Gor.....make sure I am being a good little boy!"

With a subtle word his clothing turned to the same black and silver the night Abigor kissed him in this very corridor.

"Oh...look where we are." He purred softly.

Abigor shook his head.  "King Sabre...." When he looked he watched Sabre clothing change before his eyes.  A low rumble erupted.  "King no...please..."

When he mentioned where they were it all came flooding back.  The clothing, the teasing, the desire.  He saw them both young...both filled with want...  Both longing for the other.

His breathing increased noticeably.  "Sabre..."  They were coming up to the very alcove.  He slowed and then as they approached he couldn't hold back.  He pushed Sabre into the hidden alcove and covered his mouth with his own.  Growling and pressing himself to Sabre.  It was dangerous...  He pulled up his breathing ragged now.  "I promised Master Zenethor...  Please, I am not sure how long I can hold out.  I am wearing down Sabre."  His words were mixed with pent up emotions.

Sabre broke away breathless and with smile.

"I just wanted a kiss.....here." He said pulling away and stepping back out into the corridor.

"I would not have you break your word to Zenethor."

His clothes took on the colours as before and he nodded to Abigor.

"We should continue, I am tired and I just needed to know if you remembered this place."

Abigor smiled and his heart pounded.  "I remember King."  A sadness then entered.  "But perhaps if I had withstood my temptations things would have turned out differently.  you father would not have sent me to the front lines and you would not have been abducted." 

he shook his head at the memory.  "Yes, let's get you back to your quarters.  i will check on the Queen before I return from meeting with Master Zenethor.  Would you like me to bring her to you for a visit?"  he didn't want to deny Queen Flori.  Her happiness was essential for the birth of the heir. 

As they walked he chuckled.  "Who would have ever thought you would produce an offspring before myself."  He shook his head.  "You know my mother will be giving me a good scolding next she sees me."  He smiled sidelong at the King.  "She will remind me that your child will need mine and force me.  You know this."  He chuckled some more.

"Lord Kora is married with two offspring.  He wed the beautiful Lady Hannah and Lord Uric wed Lady Jana, who has produced three offspring.  But they have not wavered in their devotion to one another."  He looked over at King Sabre.  "You knew of them right?  Lord Kora's father was adamant that for fun it was okay but both had to wed.  So they did." 

Once at the King's quarters he opened the door and stepped aside to follow the King inside.  This would not be unusally for this time of day.  But he'd need to besure to leave through the main enterance.

Sabre pondered over Abigor's words, but it was the past.

"I guessed about Kora and Uric the first time you took me to the Bonfires." He said softly.

So Uric did marry Jana." He mused.

They already had outstripped both he and Abigor with regard to offspring.  Then talk went to Flori.

"No...she is never to come to this wing.....it is mine.....I will visit her later....after I have slept."

He turned to Abigor when he mentioned his mother.

"You are planning to take a wife and mate?" He asked quietly.

"You did.  Yes they are of the same station but both their fathers were adamant they take a mate.  So they did.  Though Kora is lucky, Lady Hannah knows of his true feelings for Uric and never denies them.  She has even taken to allowing Uric to stay for extended periods of time."  He smiled and added, "She and I spoke a few times she hadn't wanted to marry but did want offspring.  Did want to be a mother.  She told me how she enjoys Kora as a friend and that in itself was enough.  I believe she longed for someone below her station and Kora has brought them together."

He shook his head and smiled.  "Lord Kora is a good demon.  He is loyal, Lord Uric doesn't deserve him.  But for his faults Lord Uric is very dear to me.  He isn't loyal to Kora but he doesn't hide his indiscretions from him.  Niether does he hide them from Lady Jana, whom has grown into a lovely lady of her own.  She neither love's nor cares for Uric, but I believe she too longed for you.  But her father arranged her to wed Uric as his father agreed and you know Lord Uric.  He sees her as his right.  It pains me a little for she is loyal to him.  I've tols him to stop it hurts both Kora and Jana, but he isn't like me on this.  I think he hates her.  I think he blames her, Jana for their situation and wants to truly only be with Kora but cannot until his father passes.  But mind you once Uric's father passes Kora and Uric will be together."

They had entered the quarters and Abigor smiled when Sabre said not to bring her here.  It oddly made him feel better.  He would think of why later.

To his last question Abigor sighed deeply.  "I will tell her and Master Zenethor to pick one.  I care not who it is so long as it isn't Viola.  I want a protector for your child.  It will not be a marriage like yours or even Kora's.  It will be one I must do for the sake of reproduction and that alone.  But she must not mate with another while we produce afterwards I care not whom she mates with."  His voice was thick with emotion.  He hated the thougt of discussing this.  He touched Sabre's arm.  "I will only ever love you."

Sabre reached out to touch the hand on his arm.

"If you want more Abigor then do not be afraid to have it....most want a wife, offspring....there is no shame in wanting that." He said slowly.

Flori was only going to be a dalliance but things had changed, he thought he was never going home and had wanted a companion to ease the loneliness. He knew he should not have wed her but it seemed the right thing to do at that point.

"I love you Gor....but I will not cling to you if you want more." His voice was soft...concerned.

"I will not make life difficult for you."

He moved to his bedchamber and started to remove his clothes in preparation to find his bed.  He was deathly tired again, needing to sleep.

"You can love me.....but not at the expense of what you want or what might make you happy." He said finally.

He watched Sabre move, even in his current state of exhaustion he was exquisite.  His words should have comforted the demon but they didn't.  It only cut him more.  What he wanted was not what he could have.  A wife...offspring fine it was expcected almost demanded of him. 

"What I want is for you to rest Sabre.  I am happiest when I know you are cared for."

He came up and put his hands on the beautiful demons shoulders he kissed the back of his head softly.  "As for everything else I would let it all go if I could be with you.  I don't take lightly to this but your chils will not be without a protector.  I will take a mate and do what is requried of me.  My happiness is secondary to you."  He squeezed gently and let go.

"I can't have you openly but I have you here and I understand."  It cut him like it did all those years ago.  Like it must his friend.  To see the one you love with another.  He wouldn't flaunt his mating.  In fact it would be quite one of little notice.

There was a knock and from outside the door Lord Kora requested entrance.

"I shall let you rest."  He went to leave but stopped and turned as he took Sabre into his embrace and kissed him passionately. 

He let Abigor ravish his mouth with that kiss and finally he broke away breathless and wide eyed.

"What was that for?" He asked trying to calm his racing heart.

He heard Kora knock again and he looked to Abigor.

"When I am myself....I will be yours in this very bed." He said softly.

"Now you should let Kora in before he breaks down the door!"

He turned and reached for his robe and covered his bare chest, gratefully he was still wearing his boots and breeches.

Abigor could only nod.  He went to the door taking a few deep breaths along the way and plastered a smile on for Lord Kora.  "Please come in, sorry for the delay my friend."  He looked at Sabre and then to Lord Kora.  "If you will both excuse me I am off to see Master Zenethor."  Just before he closed the door he pleaded with Kora not to let anyone disturb King Sabre.

"King Sabre.  Please rest I have a tome to contend with so not to bother you."  He notice the chair by the bed and presumed it had been where Master Abigor had sat all night.  He took a seat.  "I meant what I said in the study.  I am filled with gladness for your return and look forward to that dinner.  As your friend King Sabre, I missed you and our talks.  As your loyal subject I missed your leadership."

He let the King ready himself but there should he need anything or even if Sabre wished to talk. 

He laid on the bed and turned on his side to look at Kora.

"Is he still the same....does he still make you sad?" He asked quietly.

He could always talk to Kora, he had an easy way about him, a strange gentleness, odd for such a battle hardened General.

"Has he changed his licentious behaviour?"

And it was asked.  Kora closed his eyes.  A few different emotions washed over him.  "It is not his way King Sabre.  There are times when I think he will but alas he will pick up and move from our home back to the one he shares with Lady Jana and soon enough I hear he has a new conquest."

His voice was low and although he held the pain back it eked in.

"I should have moved on but it is an odd thing the feeling you have for someone.  You know it is wrong.  You know it is only a matter of time before they hurt you again but you hold out thinking this time they will change."  He shrugged.  "I could have moved on.  There was another once but the war.  He did not make it back.  I can tell you Lord Uric was there for me then when I grieved for him.   So as a friend Uric has always been there as my lover he takes what he wants and moves on.  I accept this for I'd rather have the little than nothing at all."

He marveled that of all the things the King could be going through he thought to ask him about that.  "You haven't changed all that much King.  Always thinking of others.  I hope you will take time for yourself.  Eighteen years is too long."

Abigor walked his determined path back to Master Zenethor's study.  He knocked, announced himself and when bade to do so entered.

"Master Zenethor.  As you know I called off Lord Uric.  Which he did not do any physical harm to Jelenis.  He did do some mind – full play but nothing too traumatic.  I stayed out of the room while they spoke for I felt Jelenis would not respond with myself there.  My last words were none too pleasant nor was the whipping he took from my hand."

He sat across from the Master and it almost felt like the weight of the world was hitting him.  It hadn't been this hard when Sabre was not here so why was it feeling like it now?  He rubbed his eyes and smiled at his friend.  His mentor. 

"I am feeling a bit wary.  But, there will be times I cannot be with Sabre.  What do you think of asking Lord Warren and the youngling cadet Sondra to be at his side when I cannot be?"  For all Abigor's personal dislike of the demon Warren he knew his skill was far superior and his knowledge of stealth was envied by many in the rings.  Sondra though of no station showed promise.  Having Warren as a mentor would benefit her.  "If not that team there is always this commander Faron.  He has shown great skill and he is just a third commander with this station we can promote him.  I think he has proven his worthiness"

"Once we figure this out, there is the matter of sending Viola and her troop to the front.  I know before the agreement is in place the fifth will come for Jelenis.  We need to be ready for them.  I do not want to be caught without protection."

Nyla hurried back to Gen'pi.  "Genni!  Genni!"  She was let into his room which was now his cell.  "He said he remembered!  He held the gem and he loves you too."

She wrapped her arms around him and he wrapped his round her and cried softly.

"No Genni no tears.  He also said to tell you. That he held no ill will he understands you were made to do it.  But he ended with wanting you to know he loves you too.  Oh Genni I need for you to go see him and this is what we will do...."

She whispered her idea and slowly Gen'pi's tears dried and he began to nod.  Would Jelenis want to see him?  He didn't care he wanted to see the Prince.  He had to see him.

"Okay when will we do this?"  Gen'pi asked softly.

"I will tell you.  I just need to get one other person to help us."

"NO!"  He realized too late he shouted and lowered his voice.  "No Nyla no one else it is too risky."

"Trust me Genni.  You remember Lord Uric's son, Lord Menfre?  He is always looking to test his magic skills out.  This will be his chance.  Trust me."

What choice did Gen'pi have?  He was at everyone's mercy now.

Sabre listened carefully as Kora spoke and he truly felt for his loyal Lord.

"Kora you should not put up with it...it is not fair." He said softly.

"But I might have something that may let him know how you feel and what it does to you each time he is unfaithful."  He said after a moment.

"There is a rune... not one that is widely known...called Ithior, it is a binding rune, allows one to know what the other feels...perhaps I will give this to Uric as one of the two runes I promised....I would have to give it to you too."

He paused.

"I have one, as does Abigor...it binds  us." He said after a moment.

"He feels what I feel."

He gave a secret smile.

"I wager you could use it to teach Uric a few valuable lessons."

Zenethor listened to Abigor's concerns and pondered what he said.

"Are you sure you want Lord Warren by the King?" He asked openly.

"You know he has always coveted your closeness to Sabre...does it not worry you that he might try to usurp your position?"

It was a valid question....perhaps Faron might be the better choice but ultimately he would leave it up to Abigor, though if Sabre rejected Warren then they would have to re-think it.

"With regard to Viola, she will be sent soon...news has reached me that Belisarius and Trayder have escaped their confinement and entered the Rings...General Bel will rally his troops now he has returned."

His eyes grew serious.

"There are also reports that a Elf and an Angelic followed them into the Portal, The Angelic will be weakened here, significantly...the elf disorientated, it is obvious what the Angelic is here for...but the elf....his goals are unknown."

Kora smiled.  "I would wager you are right.   I would be very interested in the rune."  He looked at Sabre.  "You and Abigor have this rune...  I did not know..."  He trails off, of Uric and Abigor he had always felt a closeness to Sabre.  As a friend would.  They weren't very different in certain regards.  He often felt the loss of him through the years.

"I would love to know of this have you a tome?"  His interest was piqued.  "Sometimes you are wise beyond your years my King."

"I am in a quandary over Lord Warren, he would, if not so disagreeable, be the best choice.  He can see and not be seen.  That is talent.  But you are right it does concern me, but truthfully King Sabre's safety means more than anything else.  But, Faron is very talented.  I wanted your input before I gave The King our choices.  I think knowing we discussed will make his decision easier."  He said we and us, for Abigor truly still sought Master Zenethor's opinion and valued his word, to him it would always be so as long as Master Zenethor allowed it.

"He did have a bit of an outburst with Lord Kora, Lord Uric, and myself but I think it is the toll he is taking returning here.  I just want his mind at ease.  I want him to rest."

As they spoke he noticed the look in Zenethor's eyes. 

"Belisarius and Trayder have escaped."  He repeated slowly.  "An elf and an Angelic followed..."  He let the news wash over him.  "Good, she will be ready for blood.  She has been seething since I advised her not to go by the prisoner.  Once I tell her over the agreement King Sabre wishes I think she will need a cooling period and sending her first will grant us a solid defense."  He sighed.

"They will come Master.  I know Belisarius is older now but do you think I am ready for such a meeting?  With age comes so much more knowledge.  I fear nothing but I need to remember to respect my opponent so when I met him it isn't all rage that fuels me." 

He almost forgot the angelic and elf.

"The angelic he is related to the boy I would think, they wouldn't just send a solider and the elf.  You think this elf is connect to our Queen?  She is elven.  Do you think we should send a search party for the duo?"

He looked at his Master with equally serious eyes.

Zenethor smiled cruelly.

"Why send a search party when you can make it a hunting party.....have you ever hunted Angelics Abigor?" He mused.

"They make exceptional sport.....they do not give up, I have watched a few that we have caught and put into the arena, they make excellent Gladiators."

He turned his thoughts back to the issue of a guard for Sabre.

"What about Kora.....Sabre trusts him, they get on well?

He tilted his head.

"Or would Uric object?"

He had to chuckle but it was not one that inspired the hearer of it great warmth and friendliness.  No, quite the opposite.

"Yes, a hunting party.  I have not had the joy of hunting one but I have watched their prowess in the arena.  It is most invigorating.  I shall organize a party to retrieve our uninvited guests."

He looked thoughtful at the Master when the conversation came back to Sabre and his overall security.  "Forget what Uric would object too, besides he would not dare for even as callous as he can be he cares deeply for both Sabre and Kora.  No, it may get his hackles up but it would be good for him.  Yes, I think I will tell King Sabre of our discussion on his security and it will be myself and Kora when I cannot.  Besides I trust Kora over any other of my generals.  Yes he will be a perfect fit and King Sabre won't feel awkward with someone new."

He sat for a moment and mulled over some thoughts.  "Master Zenethor.  Of the hunting party.  Let's not let that get out too far.  Of course the leader of the party will know, but I will want to keep this hushed for a time.  I think maybe Lord Warren.  This would be right up his line of work.  He loves sneaking about, he is as strong as myself.  He also possess a good understanding of magic.  This might be something he would relish doing and it gets him away from here."

He looked at his Master for his thoughts. 

Zenethor nodded, he had hoped hunting and capturing the Angelic would given Abigor something else to focus his angst on than the king.

"If the elf is her brother what then Abigor?" He said after a moment's thought.

"If  the Angelic is taken alive it can go to the arena....perhaps the elf can join it...a match pair?"

Warren would be a good choice to lead the party, but Abigor might find it equally rewarding.

"Why don't you lead the party? Kora can look after Sabre." He said softly.

"Let off some steam Abigor, you are wound tighter than a serpent's coil!"

He gave an amused grin.

"I will also grant you ownership of the Angelic in the Arena....you can have him trained, he will learn the might of his Master and the power of his lash.  Warren can have the elf."

They then spoke of Kora, he was the ideal choice, the Prince had always had a soft spot for Kora as a friend and to find him a guard might be more appealing than a stranger.

Sabre could not sleep as tired as he was.

"Kora." He said sitting up.

"Do you want to go to the Library?  I find it easier to relax there...I can show you hidden tomes." He smiled.

"Perhaps we can find a spell to curb Uric's wandering eyes and lust."

He pulled on a pale silvery white robe and belted it with a strip studded with diamonds.  He padded barefoot to the door.

"C'mon Kora...I can have some wine and food bought to the library, we can study, it will be like old times."

Abigor looked up at Zenethor.  "It wouldn't be irresponsible with General Belisarius, not to mention Trayder?"  But as he spoke it was appealing.  To be out on one of the stallions.  Riding.  "I think you're right, no I know you are.  I'll go.  Take a few with me, like Faron.  But, let's still keep it low key."


Letting out a sigh and actually looking forward to this hunt.  It would do him well to release some energy.

"Next, Gen'pi.  Please keep Lord Uric from him.  Whatever faults Gen may have made he doesn't deserve to be taunted." 

He knew he would need to make some plans. 

"Kora will make the perfect match.  I told him all those years ago that he and Kora would be close friends.  I will also feel better with him by King Sabre's side."

He asked Master Zenethor if there was anything else.  Before he took his leave.

Kora smiled and chuckled.  "Yes my King let's go to the library and..."  He hesitated his smile spreading.  "Old times."

He waited as Sabre put his robe on.  "Yes wine, food, and hidden tomes.  Sounds exactly like the type of day I would enjoy."  He walked slightly behind Sabre. 

He wanted to ask him so many things but didn't know where to start.

Zenethor shook his head.

"No....go prepare your party, you will have anything you desire at your disposal." He smiled.

"I will keep a close eye on Gen'Pi.....but have you considered that maybe Uric might be just what he needs, you know being bedded by another might wane the desire he has for the prisoner?"

He shook his head.

"I will honour your wish though."

He turned his head back to his papers.

"Go Abigor...out of my sight....let Kora know of his assignment, let Sabre know too."

Sabre and Kora reached the great library and Sabre was glad to find his little private niche had been kept up.  There were two comfortable armchairs and the fire had been laid and lit.  A servant bowed in awe as the two powerful demons came by, Sabre smile and ordered him to fetch wine and food for both him and Kora.  He gestured to a chair and bade Kora to sit.

"I have a book that you will like." He said softly with a grin.

He disappeared momentarily to return with a book bound in ink black leather.

"My mother gave me this one....not many Succubus' have spell books.....she did."

He handed it to Kora.

"Obviously spells that her kind would weave.....you might find something in there for Uric."

On the furthest edges on the Tenth Ring two figures laid unconscious, Alorin and Opaas had managed to use a portal created by Belisarius.  Alorin had jammed his blade into the closing portal holding it open, but the consequence of that was that the portal had fractured and instead being in the Fifth Ring where they might be a little safer they had fallen onto the edges of the Tenth as the portal slammed closed.

Alorin stirred and lifted his head, he had recklessly followed Opaas and now was cut off from his divine power, he was severely weakened in this terrible place of darkness.  He rose very slowly and flexed his wings and folded them from sight.  He spotted his blade a little way off shining weakly in the gloom.  He moved slowly and cautiously to pick it up and then went back to Opaas and nudged him with his foot.

"You need to wake up Opaas!" He said in an urgent hiss.

"We are not safe out in the open like this!"

Alorin had ventured into the Rings once or twice and he hated the place, he had others with him previously and they had always managed to escape after their missions.  He had heard of others that had not been so fortunate.

As Zenethor stood to see Abigor out he had a sudden thought.

"Stop my boy...I have something you might find useful in your hunt." He said fondly to his favourite.

He went to a chest and pulled out a key from a chain about his neck and slid it into the lock.  He turned it and opened it to reveal all sorts of weaponry.  He withdrew something, inky black and as fine as silk, it was a net.

"I have hunted Angelics and this always proved useful, it is as rare as it is valuable....a 'Midnight Net'. Once caught in it an Angelic becomes disorientated, his power fails, he becomes weak whilst snared in it."

He handed the delicate object to Abigor with a grin.

"I have no offspring to give these things to....you are the closest thing I have to a son....it is yours." He said gruffly.

He turned back and pulled out something else, it looked like a ring of black diamond, large enough to be a collar and that was exactly what is was, it was hinged with silver though no lock was visible to open it.  On the side runes were etched and Zenethor touched them in a sequence and the collar gave with a soft snick and opened.

"Your fighting slave will need a pretty collar I wager....it was worn by the first Angelic I caught and enslaved to the arena....his name was Castellan....the collar is made of Ring Diamond...it will hold him here for as long as he lives!"

Abigor went to get up nodding at his Master who was following suit.   The request to stop my boy made his lips twitch.  Only Master Zenethor called him that now.   "You have stirred the fire within Master Zenethor.  What other surprise is in store?"

Then he pulled ot the net, one that Abigor had heard about but had never seen and then the collar.  He would treasure these gifts.  For the words he said meant more to him then the items themselves.  Precious as they were it was Master's words that touched a cord within him.


"Master Zenethor..."  He stumbled for he was speechless but only because of the raw emotion he was feeling.


Clearing his throat he started again.  "Master Zenethor you know I always saw you as a father, my father.  That will never change and I will keep so many of those memories, those teachings, and lessons you showed with me.  You, it was you... your tutelage that brought me here."


Abigor was not usually so openly affectionate.  But with the gesture Zenethor had shown with these gifts was not lost on him.  "Thank you Master.  I will put these to good use and make you proud."  His voice was thick with emotion that he couldn't quite voice.

His purple eyes glowed as well as his runes with affection.

The general holding his most prized possessions left Master Zenethor's study.  He would speak with Sabre and Lord Kora.  He needed this time.  He needed to release some of his energy.

Opaas slowly fought the urge to throw up as he also fought to wake.  He heard Alorin.  Slowly he steadied his breathing and forced himself from the haze that was claiming him.

"Alorin?"  His voice sounded hollow even to himself.  He shook his head and looked around as he stood up.  "Do we have any idea where we landed?" 

The Angelic had retrieved his sword and stood over the elf looking about with some agitation.

"Yes....we landed somewhere we don't want to be!" He said sharply.

"We are not prepared to be here this soon.....the portal fractured....we are in the Tenth Ring!"

He held out a hand, he needed to get Opaas on his feet and moving, the elf was somewhat disoriented from the portal travel....most felt the desire to sleep....portal sickness could last for days in mortals.

Lord Kora graced the chair Sabre had offered.  As he waited for the King his mind went back to the fondest of times before the then Prince was abducted.  The fifth had thought by taking the Prince the tenth would crumble.  His eyes sadden when news of Sabre's father passed.  It was a harrowing time.  Master Zenethor, General Abrion, and Abigor had kept them together.  Until the death of General Abrion, another sad day.  Too much loss...

Kora held the book in awe.  "This is rae King Sabre.  I...I...Thank you."  He stood and in a momentarily loss of their titles, they were just the two young demons from a while ago having fun.  He embraced and kissed both cheeks.  Just a peck on each one.  A friendly gesture of affection.  "Thank you my King.  I am sure there will be.  You are most kind."

He sat again as the food and drink arrived.  Once the wine was poured Kora raised his glass to Sabre and toasted him.

"King Sabre.   I have begun to put together the tenth's legions of spells.  I gathered as many documents and it is coming together nicely.  I think you will be pleased, it is a mere tribute to all your past research as well.  I did not know that your grandfather was such an amazing sorcerer.  He would have been a demon worth knowing."  His conversation was light.  Kora wanted to enjoy this time.  It was one of the few things he did that was just for pleasure.  Researching spells and putting spell history together was a passion.  One he loved discussing with the King all those years ago.

Abigor immediately put the gifts away.  Frist he needed to speak with Sabre and Kora.  Gather up a few demons, one being Lord Warrens, then he would pack and head off.  He first went to the King's private wing and was told he left with Lord Kora.  Abigor smiled, he figured he knew where they went.

There was a knock on the door, Abigor announced himself.  Waited until the King allowed him to enter. "Excuse me my King, Lord Kora.  If I may interrupt.  I have come for Master Zenethor's study and would like to discuss a few things with both of you." 

He waited for both demons before he continued.  "I would like Lord Kora to be your personal guard when I am not able to be my King.  Will this please you?"  Abigor hoped this would please the King, maybe settle him.  Master Zenethor was right.  Kora was much better than a new face.

Sabre looked up with a tired smile as Abigor entered, he was curled in his armchair blanketed in Kora cloak watching him as he  looked through his mother's spell book.

"General as always you are a welcome sight, I came here with Kora because I feel more settled here, it is more familiar." He said softly.

Then Abigor announced that Kora would be his personal guard in his absence and a rare genuine smile lit up his face.

" I am content with that decision.....though I am sure it will discontent Uric!" He teased lightly.

"Now what do you wish to discuss?" He said looking into Abigor's purple eyes.

"I will be heading out for an extended amount of time."  He rubbed his eyes suddenly feeling tired himself.

"I am not sure if you are aware of this, I wasn't until Master Zenethor informed me.  Belisarius and Trayder have escaped; the portal was also used by two unknowns an Angelic, which I can only assume is here to take the boy as well as our guests from the fifth.  With the Angelic an elf has crossed as well.  I'd venture to say that he may be related to our Queen, but that may very well not be.  There are many species of elves." 

"We have deployed Viola and her troops to protect our boarders from an attack   In my absence Master Zenethor will oversee all, Lord Uric will maintain the armory, and Lord Kora will be your protector."

He paused letting what he said sink in.  "Kora I am counting on you.  I will leave once I get the party together.  When we return with the prisoners my King I will notify you.  Before they are put into the gladiators den in case you would like to question them."

He looked tired, he felt tired.

"Do you require anything from me my King before I depart?"

He absently thought of his mother perhaps he would just send word with Mei or Des.

Sabre looked to his would be lover with some concern.

"Kora can you give Abigor and myself a moment please." He said softly.

Once the Lord had left them he rose and embraced the General.

"You look as tired as I love...it concerns me that Bel and Tray escaped their confinement but they cannot match me on this plane!" He tilted his head up so he could look up into Abigor's handsome face.

"Let me give you some of my strength, if you are going to hunt interlopers you need strength, you look as if you might fall from the saddle as soon as your horse breaks into a canter!"

It did not concern him that the Angelic and the Elf were here...Abigor would take care of them.

"Take them straight to the Den my love....you can sate yourself in their taming, I think you need to indulge your darkness." He whispered.

He pulled out a crystal shard from a drawer in the table at the side of the chair.

"Remove your shirt my darling...I think it is time for a new rune!"

He had cut many runes in himself, he was a consummate artist at it and he knew just the one for Abigor.

"I will give you 'Saperia'...you can draw all your enemies strength from them once you activate it or small amounts from those about you....let me draw it Gor."

Abigor leaned into Sabre's embrace.  It was warm and loving.  It was just what he needed.  "Ah Sabre does it show. I am not sure why I am."  He smiled at the confidence his King had.  It was something Abigor respected.

Somehow Sabre even in his own discord could see his fatigue and was offering to help him through it.  Giving him a gift of a new Rune.  One only he could give for all his work and researches made him a master.

"You are too kind..." he trailed off as he removed his shirt.

"Oddly enough there isn't anything you ask that I would not do for you Sabre...My King...My Lord...My love..."

He stood ready for Sabre's masterful hand.  Just being in his presence made him feel better, stronger even.  It was just the very life force that Sabre gave to him.

Sabre's finger traced the runes already etched upon that broad chest and he found a space between Ithior and Giliath and he lightly touched the sharp shard to the bare skin and started to draw the Saperia rune.

"It might hurt a little, but you will need to test it when it is done, draw strength from me and from Kora." He said softly.

He finished tracing the intricate pattern and then spoke words of magic softly...the rune flared brightly for a moment and then dimmed to match the rest, an ink black tattoo on the skin of the General.

"Abigor when you return...." He said softly, his fingers tracing Ithior lightly.

"I want you to come triumphant in your endeavours to my bed chamber, in that victory I want you to take my remaining innocence." He whispered gently in his ear.

"Take it as my champion, the most powerful General in all of the Rings, I want to be weak in that moment, subject to your power." He lightly bit Abigor's lobe and pulled back.

Sabre paused and then leaned forward and pressed himself to Abigor, fitting every curve and muscle as if it were meant to be.

"Bring that damn Angelic back for me Gor....break it in the Dens....make it yours, your fighter, when you are riding back into the city dragging it behind your horse in chains....think of me and the night we will have together my love."

He closed his eyes as he leaned against the General' s chest, feeling his heat.

"Imagine what we will do together in my bedchamber that night."

He drew in a breath as the King etched the drawing into his flesh.  The pain was over once the magic infused. 

Watching the graceful hand of the king trace the Ithior made him tremble.  A soft growl escaped.  He couldn't help himself he wrapped his arms around Sabre as the demon spoke.  His words filled Abigor with an uncontrolled desire.  His body was on fire for the king.

"It makes me proud to hear you speak this way of me.  I think you know just how to inspire and arouse me.  It will only make me want to please you that much more my King."

He thought about that bedchamber and a shiver coursed through him.  A delightful one.  Another low rumble and a soft moan.  "It will not be far from my thoughts Sabre.  I will give you the pleasure your body deserves and I crave."

Abigor's embrace tightened for a moment as his lips grazed the top of Sabre's head.  He took a deep breath enjoying the scent of him. 

His newest rune glowed and it was time to release its power.  He did as Sabre suggested and fed from the energy of his King. But only a little for he knew of the Kings weakened state.  As he did he shared his thoughts and the images of what he dreamed of between the two.  How powerful their bond was, how deep it still is, and the way he planned to take that innocence. 

In a husky voice he mummered, "Shall we ask Lord Kora to rejoin us?"

Sabre felt it...saw it...all...everything that Abigor shared with him and he almost melted, but he held fast as a king should.

"Yes...you should invite Kora back, ask to take some of his energy too...if he is agreeable."

He watched as Abigor went to the door and called for Kora to re-join them, he certainly looked more invigorated than when he had first come into the library.  This hunt would do him good, allow him to be the demon he was once more.

He sat down in his chair again and drew Kora's cloak back over him, it felt comforting to be here in the Great Library, he was not used to his Father's wing yet.

The night Abigor came to his bedchamber would be very special, he would make sure that they had everything they could possibly desire in that room that night....the best of everything.

Abigor walked to the door he felt it already the boost in his energy.  He opened the door and stood back for Kora to enter.  They walked the short distance back to the sitting area and The general told him what King Sabre had done and asked to draw some of Kora's energy.  The lord ready said yes and soon Abigor was rejuvenated.  He stayed for a bit but knew he had to get going to secure a small party.

"I will be taking my leave."  The general nodded to them both as he stood and took his leave.  At the door he stopped.  "I trust you Lord Kora to watch over our King." 

He looked one more time at Sabre a look only two who truly love one another can share.  He need not say the words for his love would know exactly how he felt.

He headed to the armory hoping to find Lord Warren and the younger Fenora. 

Alorin started through the Tenth Ring pulling Opaas along with him.

"This is not good for us....not good....at leat we could have reasoned with Bel!"

He felt ill here, being cut off from the divine was telling on him, his sword shone less and his power was diminished. He had managed to switch back to armour to afford him some protection.

"They will know we are here....we will be hunted down!" He growled.

Opaas stumbled behind the Angelic.  His thoughts jumbled and mind confused.  "How?  And who is they?"  He was able to get out in between gasps for breath. 

The place they were in felt heavy to him.  Almost like it was hard to breath. "Do you know which direction we should head?"  He was trying to get a grip on all this.  His sister was living here?  Willingly?  It was all too real for him.

Alorin stopped and turned to Opaas.

"This is his realm....here he is no mere demon...he is King!"

He turned and started again, walking forward at a brisk pace looking for somewhere they might hide, the smell of fresh apples in his wake...a sign of his high agitation.

If Sabre caught them it would go very badly, Opaas might get to see his sister before Sabre made sure that he never set sight on her again.  For an Angelic it would go much worse....he had heard the stories of what they did to his kind down here.

Opaas followed it was not easy to comprehend what the Angelic was saying but he had to if he wanted to make it through this.

He picked up on a faint but oddly pleasing smell of apples.  He shook his head as if to clear it.  Opaas felt like he was going mad.  What had his sister gotten herself into?  How could they hope to make it out alive?  He felt as if this was it.  That he and the angle were already dead.

Sabre had fallen asleep in the armchair wrapped in Kora's cloak and he slept a little easier but his mind was still too active even in repose.

He thought about Abigor on the hunt...he would catch that interloping Angelic and the elf, but how had Bel and Trayder escaped, that should not have happened!

He woke with a start, the candles were burning down and Kora was still deeply engrossed in his book.

"Kora, would you escort me to my bed, I think it is high time we both turned in...you are relieved after escorting me back." He said softly.

"Return in the morning...after resting."

Kora was deeply engrossed in the tome when the King roused himself and spoke.  "Of course my King.  Come let's walk."  He waited for the king to pass through the opened doorway before closing it softly and walking next to him, but a little behind.

"That tome!"  His voice was filled with awe.  "I know I should do as you heed and go rest.  But I ache to read more."  He chuckled.  This was just like after they first met. 

"Listen to me prattling on.  King Sabre, I cannot express my happiness fully in seeing you again.  I only hope you know it fills me completely.  I have the utmost confidence in your decisions.  It is a feeling, I know you will end this needless fighting.  Like back in the days when we first spoke.  How we agreed if all the rings united it would give us greater power, leverage.  I know this is in your heart to do and I want you to know that even though my mind seeks to destroy those that held you from us, my heart knows to follow your lead."

He just wanted Sabre to know that he would always stand beside the King.  Uphold his word.  He believed in what Sabre wanted then and still today.

Unfortunately not all the realm did.  Lord Warrens was not pleased when the news reached him.  This would not do!  All too soon the General requested his presences.  He hated cowing down to him.  It was a matter of pride.  If Abigor was gone then he would be next in line for his spot.  For the lord had no siblings...nor a heir.  Now all Lord Warrens need was the opportunity.   

Sabre smiled as Kora spoke and he deliberately slowed his pace so Kora could walk at his side.

"Keep the book Kora....consider it a gift from one friend to another." He said softly.

"There is nothing in there that I do not know....it would be better in your hands."

He pondered his friend's words and remembered what they had spoken of as idealistic young men, he still did hope for it which was why he needed a peaceful solution with Jelenis.  His despoiling had been done out of spite for being held for so many years and to bring him down in the eyes of the Fifth, had he been hasty in that action....time would tell.

They reached his door and Sabre lightly embraced Kora and kissed each cheek.

"Go...rest....and I mean rest Kora!" He teased gently.

"We can unite the Rings tomorrow....there is no rush!"

"You are too kind."  He bowed his head and then leaned into the embrace.  It was a friendly gesture and a welcomed one.

Kora lips twitched as he covered a laugh.  "I promise.  Rest.  We have all day tomorrow.  Again, thank you my King."

He waited for Sabre to close the door before heading to his own quarters.  Two guards stood watch at the entrance.  He nodded as he went past.

Abigor was in no mood for Lord Warrens whining, which he completely expected.  Yet when Lord Warrens approached he had a smile and he bowed.  "What manner of business am I called to do for you my general?"

Abigor didn't trust him but he recognized his superior skills and thus it was why he called upon the demon.  "It appears we have some uninvited guests within our realm and I seek assistance in gathering them.  I would like for you and corporal Fernon to escort me please."  He was direct, this was an order yet he always addressed those of upper station with respect, something his father instilled in him.  "We leave in the hour."

He excused the demon lord and went to his room to prepare.

As expected at the hours' time all three demons were ready with Fernon being a bit in awe of the general but very honored he was handpicked. 

Sabre went into the large rooms that had once been his father's, the servants had tried to make them warm and comforting to him, but they still felt forbidding and vast.  He walked across the candlelit hall towards his bedroom and found the servants had anticipated him, a hot bath was waiting.  He grinned to himself and lowered down into the warm sudsy water after undressing.  This hopefully might relax him and settle him so he might find his bed again, he was sure that if he rested well tonight tomorrow he would be himself again.

He found he missed Abigor in moments like these, the General was in his thoughts always, but especially in the quiet times.

When Abigor finished the hunt and came back victorious they would have such a night together.  Though something niggled at Sabre, something to do with one Abigor took with him....Lord Warren.  Sabre had never liked him, he was sly and underhand and disliked Abigor's rank and position...he had sought it for himself and lost...dismally.  Abigor should watch himself...Sabre's foresight never saw him wrong....Lord Warren was going to do something.

Abigor took the lead as the trio rode north.  He had stopped and spoke with one of the watchmen that had first noticed the intrusion. 

The night stallions rode steady, there was no rush at this time.  It was best to just keep pace.  He notice the young corporal seemed flushed.  It was probably excitement at having been asked to come.  "Fenora, tell me you father... Laurence, he was also a corporal before his untimely demise at the hands of the fifth, correct?"  He wanted to get a read on the young demons emotions.

"Aye, that he did General Abigor, sir.  Though I miss him he often said to me when I was but a very young boy that to die while baring your arm was noble as long as it was for the love of your King...the crown."  He swallowed no believing he was actually taking to the General!  "So I know my father died with pride and honor.  Something I am prepared to do as well...should the need arise."

Abigor notice Lord Warrens had remained quiet the entire time.  Probably for the better.

"I am pleased you carry yourself as such.  But I hope with the King now securely back things will change for the better."  As Abigor said that Lord Warrens snorted.

Both turned to the demon.  Fenora's look was confused while Abigor's was a snarl.

Bouli was smiling.  The Queen really was trying but the demonic language was difficult for those who didn't know it.

"Queen Flori, you are doing so well."  It never hurt to encourage one trying a new thing.  "But how about we break for tea?"  Lui had brought over the tray with light snacks and the sweet hot tea. 

"Here we go.  I took the liberty to add a cup and plate for you Bouli, you do not mind Queen, right?"  Lui was nothing if not efficient, Ana taught her well.

"Oh course not.  I am glad you did Lui."  She looked at the nursemaid.  "You both have become  very dear to me."  She said to Lui, meaning her and Ana.  She meant it too.  They have.  The general knew what she needed even though a part of her feared and resented him all at the same time.

"I hope before it gets too dark we can all go outside a bit.  Maybe study outdoors?"  She did so want to explore a bit before the demands of the baby would take her. 

They ate and made small talk.  Once it was gone Bouli suggested their first walk.  Lui would go and Ana would stay behind.  The trio went for their walk.  Flori put her arm in Liu's as they traversed a foot path by a pond.  She smiled and took a deep breath.  It was then she felt it.

He was here!  Opaas!  Her breathing became heightened and Lui asked if all was okay.  Bouli came to her side.  She shook her head yes.  That it was just excitement of a new home.  Bouli felt nervous and suggested they return.  Flori gave no resistance.  She had to speak with Sabre.  Either Opaas was here or he was calling her.  She could feel him.

Lui brought her inside and had Bouli wait with her as she went for Ana.  Whom she told what had happened.  Ana came to see to Flori.  She made the Queen comfortable first and then asked the two what happened.  But both Lui and Bouli had similar stories.  She'd have to question the Queen carefully.  But she would mention this to the King.

Sabre sat crosslegged on the large bed and closed his eyes, sometimes he wished for simpler times. That he was still just the Prince, Ana was sat outside in the antechamber and he and Abigor still teased and tormented each other in training. He wished that very much sometimes, he had liked it when he and Kora studies as young men, bouncing ideas off of each other, putting the world to rights as Abigor and Uric looked on bemused.

He was king now...and with that came responsibilities, some of which he was happy to undertake, other aspects he knew he was going to find much harder despite the fact he had trained hard as a young man to rule and understand what was expected of him.  Ana had been quite vigorous in her doctrine training and he knew everything about diplomacy and by the underworld he was going to need that if he was going to bring cohesion to the Rings.

Their Kingdoms had been fragmented and at war for too long, it needed one King, one voice....he had hoped that he could be that voice.

But right now he really wished Ana was here with that special hot drink she used to bring him!

Alorin had pulled and pushed Opaas along through the wilderness on the outskirts and finally he had to admit that they both needed to rest. He scouted ahead a short way and found a rocky outcrop in which a cave lay, it was small but enough for the to stand up and lay down comfortably enough.

"You rest first." He said to the elf.

"I'll keep watch....then we can swap."

If they did not rest exhaustion would take them, demons were used to the atmosphere in the Rings, mortals definitely were not and Angelics found it oppressive.

Ana was attuned to the now King of the tenth.  She could sense he needed her.  Torn with speaking to the Queen and going to him immediately she opted to send Lui with exactly what he needed and a message she would follow.

Lui went immediately with the drink the King enjoyed when he was younger.  Allowed by the guards she knocked and when granted permission she entered.  "My King, this is from Ana.  She will also be down shortly."  Lui placed the warm liquid on the table and bowed.  She excused herself and hurried back to the Queen's chambers.

While Lui had left Ana sent Bouli out of the room.  She sat by the bed and placed her hand on the Queen head.  "Tell me child what happened outside on your walk?"  Her voice was coaxing and soft.

"My brother!  Ana, he is trying to reach me.  He and I were always able to tell when the other was close by.  I need to find him and bring him here.  I need to speak to Sabre."  Her voice was trailing as sleep took her.  The sleep was induced for her own safety.

Ana paced until Lui returned.  Once she did the old nursemaid then went to visit the King.

She pondered what she would say to him. 

The guards moved as she approached and she knocked, announced herself and entered.

"King Sabre..."  She smiled, how long had she waited to say that!  "...it appears your Queen had a premonition that her brother is reaching out to her.  She was in a bit of a fit over it.  Reacted and was quite distressed.  Oh, no worries she and the baby are fine.  Resting.  Do you know her family.  Can we send for this brother?"  She spoke to him in her same manner as she always had.  Caring and firm.  "I can clear her memory of this incident but if he is calling to her some way it won't just cease and that is where my concern lies."

It was so good to have him back home and a new baby.  His child.  Her boys child.  She was filled with pride for the demon he became.  So much he'd overcome. 

Sabre was pleased when the drink arrived more so when the woman he had always seen as a mother pitched up not long after, her news was not so welcome.

The brother entered my realm through a portal not of his making....in tow he brought an Angelic...here...an Angelic....he is not the type I want near my delicate Flower." He said in a soft growl.

"Abigor hunts them Nana Ana, he will own them for the Gladiatorial Dens....he deserves a gift and what better than his own fighters!"

He was not pleased that Flori could feel her sibling.....no....not at all.

"Keep her occupied Ana....do not give her time to think, I will strengthen the wards on the castle, I will also come to her tomorrow, my presence may give her something else to focus on!"

Ana smiled.  "Ahhh, yes King Sabre it would be good for you to come visit her.  You may be surprised to know she has picked up on a few of our words.  I believe in no time she will be speaking fluently.  You word shall be done."  She had a refill brought for him.

"Tell me love.  How are you?  Inside.  I worry you are conflicted.  Is there anything you would like to discuss with me?"  She offered him the ear she always had for him.  One that would allow him to bare his mind and know it would never leave her. 
-   * *******
Opaas was grateful for the rest.  "Thank you!  I don't know what or why this is so hard on me."  He practically fell to the ground.  He had nothing to lay on but didn't care.  He was asleep within moments of crashing.  Fear though was in the pit of his stomach.
-     **********

Abigor felt invigorated by the rune strength he had gathered.   Talking with the young Farnon was enjoyable too.  The young demon was eager to learn.  But, Lord Warrens...something wasn't right with him.  He was too quiet. 

"Lord Warrens you have not said much as of yet.  Tell me do you have any ideas as to how we can approach the interlopers?  I'd like to sneak up upon them.  The element of surprise and all."  His voice was firm as the general spoke to the lord.

"General Abigor I am sure two interlopers will not be difficult for a demon of your position.  All this secrecy and trying to catch them unawares is so belittling to our kind...surely you do not wish to project this image to our young cadet here,   hmmm?"  Lord Warrens wasn't in any mood to be respectful.  He wasn't given much information on why they were going.  Since when did a General go out for intruders?   He was sulking.

"Lord Warrens please do not make me show the young demon here why you do not have my position, hmmm."  Abigor countered.  He was in no mood to humor the soured Lord Warrens.

This brought silence to the trio again.  Lord Warrens sulked further.  This was going to be his chance.  Once the two interlopers were caught he would dispose of both Farnon and the General.  Accidents happened all the time!

He smiled to Ana.

"When am I not conflicted about something or some one." He said softly.

"I am no fool Ana, I know there are those in my own Kingdom that do not welcome the return of their king."

"Lord Warrens for one!" He thought to himself.

"Ana will you send for Master Zenethor I have a matter to discuss with him." He said after a moment.

"And will you check on Kora and make sure that he is resting....King's Order!"

"You are wise beyond your years my child.  You always were King."  She nodded at him.  "Of course.  I shall fetch him now."

She rose and and left the King. 

Ana knocked first on Master Zenethor's study.  Opening the door softly she only poked her head in, Master Zenethor, King Sabre would like you to join him in his chambers."  She didn't wait for his answer. 

Next she went to Lord Kora's, she spied a light and knocked.  When the demon answered she softly admonished him.  Mindful of his family.  Not wanting to risk Ana wrath he closed the tome and went to his bedroom.  Ana returned to the main castle.

She went back to the Queen's chamber.  Passing Bouli and then Lui.  "We are to keep her active.  Break their bond of communication."  Both demons nodded to Ana.

Flori slept.  She dreamed of her brother.  He was in a prison of sorts.  Tortured.  She began to cry out his name.  Trashing on her bed.  Ana didn't get nervous she simply waved her hand over the elf so body and soon the thrashing and calling out stopped.  Her breathing calmed and she slept soundly again.  Ana looked at Lui.  "She is a dream weaver.  Very interesting.  I wonder  with the King and her genes mixed together just what type of child we will care for."

Lui just smiled.

Zenethor arrived at the King's quarters to find him staring from a window out over the castle grounds, he cleared his throat and Sabre turned to face him, his face was serious.

"I have concerns Master Zenethor, I would like you to bring Lord Warren's family inside the castle walls, including his father and mother if they are still alive." He said softly.

"I would then like you to dispatch a messgae to wherever Lord Warren is with the General and inform him that his family are under my...personal....protection!"

He had no intention of hurting the family, but he wanted Lord Warren to know, for some reason his foresight had seen him make an attempt to harm Abigor...he would try to prevent it.

Nyla entered Gen'pi's room to take his tray. "Be ready tonight Genni."  She said sweetly to her friend.  She took his tray and left the room.

She was excited and nervous.  After placing the tray in the kitchen she excused herself.  This is when she noticed General Abigor meeting Lord Warren and another demon she didn't know.  They headed out and she followed.  She watched them leave.  She knew then and there that would be the perfect night!  With the general away it would be easier.

Her chores done she ran towards Lord Uric's home.  She needed to speak with Mufre right away.
------------
The three demons decided to press on ahead and not stop.  Abigor turned to Lord Warrn and slowed his horse to meant the others side.  "Lord Warren I brought you along for your particular skills if you are not going to help I suggest to turn and go.  Farnon and I will complete this alone.

He may have sounded cold but the Lord tried his patients.

Zenethor regarded Sabre and wondered just exactly what he had seen, after all the king was tired and could he have been mistaken.

"You need to be very clear about this my lord King." He said softly.

"If you are mistaken it could be seen in a bad light."

Sabre smiled thinly.

"I am not mistaken...not where Abigor is concerned Master Zenethor....bring them in, house them comfortably, they will see it as an elevation of their House, and their chief protector is away....is it not right that the King offer them his."

He nodded to himself, it was a viable reason.

"Just make sure that somehow Lord Warrens knows of it. You have ways I am sure."

Zenethor nodded.

"I do Sabre my King....it shall be done as you ask."

Sabre turned to look back out of the window.

"I will spend the day with my wife tomorrow.  I am sure she will be glad of my attention, I plan to take her to the Gardens for a picnic."

Zenethor bowed to Sabre.

"Of course my Lord King...I will ensure adequate sentries are posted."

Opaas slept and Flori entered his dreams.  She begged him to run!  To get out.  That it wasn't safe for him here.  He was tossing on the ground.  Crying out her name.  He could see her fading from him and felt the looming dread fall around him.

Abigor stopped the trio for a moment to rest and water the horses.  They had time and he knew from his studies the Angelic and the elf would be feeling the oppression from the realm.  His walked a few strides and stared over the horizon.  His thoughts back on home.  He'd hoped coming back would make Sabre feel safe.  He hoped Kora was doing so.  He longed for many things but kept his mind in check and on the task at hand. 

He went to walk back and something washed over him.  A feeling like Sabre was with him.  He'd felt this every so often while Sabre was imprisoned by the fifth.  It was as if Sabre was still touching him and he softened a bit and smiled.

"Come, let us be on our way."

Lord Warren knew what he had to do.  His thoughts blocked as he would allow Abigor the delight of catching the trespassers he would then cast his magic and kill Farnon first silently and then he would reign his attack on Abigor.  He'd be weakened by his spell.  His for the taking.  Yes this was perfect.  He Lord Warren would finally out wit the mighty General.  He smiled pleasantly   and mounted his horse.

Zenethor sent his most trusted to bring Lord Warren's family in, he would house them where the King had said but now he had to send a message to make sure Lord Warren was aware of the situation.  He blew a whistle and a large black crow landed on the sill.

"I need you to travel Abraxi." He tied a parchment to the bird'd leg.

"Take this message to Abigor.....go....find him!"

The large bird cawed and pecked fondly at his master's hand before hopping off the edge of the sill and flying off into the distance.

Zenethor sat back at his desk and pondered this latest development, Sabre had always had the Sight, and he was never wrong...he could not help wondering whether Abigor was indeed in danger....his most favoured could handle himself.  What worried him more was what Sabre would do if Abigor was harmed in anyway.  The King's magic was powerful, more so than any demon, more than his grandfather even.  He had it in him to level kingdoms if he so chose.

Sabre needed a distraction and the picnic with Flori would be it...he could introduce her to Kora, he was a very amicable fellow and would undoubtedly win the Queen's heart as a friend too...as would Bouli.  He would enlist Ana's help too, she could always manage Sabre she was the closest thing he had to a mother and he would listen to her, she was firm with him....she loved him and disciplined him when she had to.

The crow, Abraxi would be able to find them quickly. 

They were traveling at a steady pace.  Farnon and Abigor spoke of swords and fightlng styles they agued and agreed over the different ones and which they favored.  He was a bright young demon and The General was pleased with his commitment.   

It was then he heard the caw of the familiar pet.  He slowed, turning in his saddle to look in the direction of the sound.  He heard it again.  It was faint but there was no mistake it was Abraxi.  Abigor stopped the procession.

He cupped his hands over his mouth and called out to the bird. 

Abraxi heard Abigor's call and turned on the thermals in the direction of the call.  The crow had known Abigor for a long time and was as fond of him as he was his master.  He swooped low to land on a low branch a short distance from the small party.

He cawed softly to himself and hopped from one foot to another and snapped his long black beak.

The bird knew to wait for Abigor to come and get him, he would let no other touch him.

He caught the sound and instructed them to wait as he spotted the bird.  Abigor picked up the pace if Master Zenethor sent out Abraxi he had something that couldn't wait. 

Abigor dismounted and walked to the branch where Abraxi hopped back and forth on.  "There, there Abraxi what is it Master Zenethor wants me to know, hmmm?"  He spoke to the bird in a voice that was soft and gentle.  He had an odd affection for the creature.  Something a bit misplaced on one so hardened by war and mistrusts. 

The bird cawed and let Abigor remove the note tied to his leg.  He pet the soft downy feathers.  "Shhh, there, there.  Stay while I read in case I need to reply."  He spoke as if the bird could speak back.  And in a way it could to those it knew. 

It took but a moment to read the words.  His hands shook.  It was the implication within the letter what the parchment didn't say actually spoke volumes.  With a shaking hand he rolled the parchment up but tore a piece off.  He reached into his saddle bag and pulled a seal and some wax like substance.  He placed it on the parchment and embedded it into it.  "Here Abraxi," he rolled it up and tied it to the bird.  "Take this back to Master Zenethor, so he knows I understand and received his message."  He let the bird go.

Now he had to go back over to Lord Warren.  His nostrils flared.  The nerve of this bastard.  He should just kill him here...but no.  His position demanded better of him. 

He took a deep breath.  Remounted his steed and head back.

He faced Lord Warren his eyes like steel his voice tight.

"Lord Warren I received word that King Sabre has been kind enough to host you entire family, including your mother and father.  They are now at his castle as his esteemed guests.  This was extended due to your extended time away with me on this hunt."  His voice held no warmth.  No kindness.  He was trying to contain his anger.  The only reason that King Sabre offered this to Lord Warrens family must be because the Lord was considering doing something to himself.  This enraged Abigor.  His pride, his heart, his very being was insulted by the thought that he would just so carelessly think he could dispose of him.

"We are off.  Let's ride by the direction given to me our targets are only a few miles away."  He nudged his horse into a gallop.

Sabre walked the corridor towards Flori's room the next morning with Kora at his side.

"I hear Ana had to tell you to rest Kora." He mused as they walked towards the queen's rooms.

He had ordered a fine picnic to be set up in the gardens in a sheltered pavilion, enough for himself, Kora, Flori Bouli, Ana and Lui, though he would make sure that he also spent time with Flori Alone in the gardens, perhaps a private walk after their food.

"I am sure you will like the Queen Lord Kora, she is gentle enough and personable."

He knocked and strode into the room and nodded to Bouli who waited in the ante chamber.

"Flori Love!" He called.

When she had awoken Ana told her the news of seeing Sabre; everything else had vanished from her thoughts!  He was coming to spend time with her and then Ana told her where they were going to go and this only added to her overall pleasure.  She bathed and dressed as she looked at her body she could begin to see the changes her body was having.  This was much faster than a regular elven pregnancy.  But then she was married to one who was very different than herself.

"Ana, I need to wear red.  Something red."  She loved how her blue eyes and dark hair made her look in red.  She also thought he did as well.

A few hours later as she was sitting by the window practicing her demonic verses she heard his beautiful voice.  She dropped the book and practically ran to him.  Only to stop in her tracks when she saw another demon with him.  Not Abigor. 

Though not the General he was no less foreboding, yet his eyes seemed gentler.  His demeanor as well didn't seem like Abigor's.  He was very different yet still she didn't want to upset him her gaze went to Sabre and she seemed to ask with her eyes if it was okay to approach.

Bouli watched them approached.  He smiled and nodded.  Lord Kora was one of his favorites. 

Ana and Lui were ready to go and passed went to Lord Kora who they informed that they would meet them in the area.  They went on ahead.

Lord Kora smiled and then turned back to the Queen.  He bowed formally.  "My Queen Flori.  It is an honor.  Please do not hesitate in my presence.  Come greet your husband, our King properly."  He stood and gestured for her to come forward.

Flori smiled.  Yes this one was much different than Abigor.  She rushed over to Sabre.  "I've missed you so!   It is horrid sleeping without you in the room."  She pouted playfully.

Sabre smiled and kissed her lips and held her gently.

"I know Flower....but it is the way of things here." He said softly.

"This is my friend Lord Kora, I have known him as long as Abigor, he is most amicable is he not." He gave her a broad smile.

Kora was at his most charming indeed and how could Flori not fail to love him as dearly as he did.

"There is a special picnic set out in the gardens for us all and then I thought we could have a private walk together Flori." He stroked her hair.

He winked to Ana.

"Come on Nana Ana let's get going."

Flori smiled even brighter.  "Lord Kora.  What a pleasure to meet you."  She bowed as well to him and rose.  Yes he was decidedly much nice than the General.

She held him for a moment close to her just enjoying him near to her.

"I would love that Sabre.  More than anything.  Let us go."

They proceeded out of the castle and into the garden.  She had wanted to mention her brother but oddly she forgot all about him.  She forgot about everything now that she was with her husband, he love, Sabre.

"Lord Kora what a lovely name.  Do you have a family?"  She unconsciously touched her abdomen. 

"I do Queen Flori.  I think one evening you would allow us to host you and the King.  My wife, Hannah is a wonderful lady.  I have two young ones.  Two boys, Sven and Xavier.  They are but younglings.  My younger one Xavier seems not to want to take any form but his demon one he is a little head strong.  I tease Hannah and Lord Abigor saying he most truly be his son for he reminds me of Abigor.  So head strong.  Never taking no.  My elder son Sven, he is the gentler of the two.  He has a strong affinity with magic and he is forever wanting me to teach him how to use his powers.  Of course I do not mind in the least."

He spoke as they walked and soon were at the garden entrance.   Where he excused himself and let them two sit first.

Sabre smiled as he listened to Kora speak....oh his gentle Kora he always knew what to say and when, Flori seemed to lap up his words.

"We will take you up on that invitation Lord Kora." He said brightly.

"I am sure Flori would like to meet Lady Hannah and perhaps make a new friend."

They reached the gardens and entered through an arch to find a black and silver pavilion, a table laden with food, wine and juices in silver jugs.

"A splendid feast." Sabre gestured to the table and then helped his wife to seat herself on a soft blanket laden with cushions upon the grass.

The others came to join then marvelling at the feast, Bouli stood with Kora and noted the guards placed strategically out of sight about them. Ana and Lui came and sat by the queen fussing about her and resetting the cushions to make Flori comfortable.  The day was warm and balmy and the servants offered Sabre wine and Flori a multitude of iced juices to choose from.

Sabre watched her carefully and spoke soft and loving words.

"How is my child Flori? Do you like your new home."

Flori was so happy at this very moment.  Her joy overfilled when he was close to her.  Nothing compared to her husband. 

"I do love my new home.  It is more than I could have imagined.  I owe all of this happiness to you Sabre.  I am so very lucky to have you in my life."  She smiled and looked down lowering her eyes. 

"I feel different now.  I cannot explain it Sabre.  I know it is too soon but I feel the baby.  Or I think I do.  Tell me is this crazy?  I don't think so but then I've never had a child before."  She chuckled at herself.   

The day was perfect.  She closed her eyes to just enjoy the moment.  How lucky she was to have taken that walk.  "Are you happy to be home again Sabre?"  She reached out and touched his beautiful face.  "Is everything going to plan?"

Sabre mused her question and then smiled.

"Yes I missed my home and my family, I had eighteen years of my existence stolen from me by the Fifth." He said softly, his gaze moving to Ana and Kora, but his thoughts were on Abigor.

"Taken from people I loved and who loved me....I am sure you understand Flori."

Kora had come to sit closer now and he rested a hand on Sabre's arm.

"You are home now my Lord King, with a wife and heir and the Fifth lies in tatters." He said gently.

Abigor had rode in silence.  He let Lord Warren stew in his own mistrusts and judgements.  Every so often a low growl would be heard.  But he made no other sounds.  When they came within a few miles he sensed, just as Master Zenethor had explained he would, that the two interlopers were nearby.

"We are close.  Very close.  Lord Warren, do what you do best go forth unseen and tell me where they are."  He knew with his family in Sabre's company Lord Warren wouldn't risk a thing.  Besides Lord Warren had married the Duchess Deede.  He wouldn't want her distraught.  Though he'd never cared for her in that way he always had a soft-spot for the girl.

"Farnon, stay with me and be my eyes in the back.  Once Lord Warren returns we will be the front line of attack.  I also have a gift or two from Master Zenethor.  I think they will make you smile.  Now I may switch form please do not let that startle you." 

He smiled at the cadet.  "I have confidence in you Farnon I am sure you will do your crown proud."

Flori's eyes watered.  She knew only too well what it was like to be stolen from ones family and loved one...OH HER BROTHER!

"Oh Sabre!  I meant to ask you this...uh...well...you know my dreams...uh...how I...uh...see things."  She loked at the others with them and colored.  Not wanting them to laugh or doubt her but as she looked around none of their eyes were mocking, all she saw was caring and concern which made her ache with the love for this new family she was now a part of.

"Sabre, my brother.  He is calling for me.  His name is Opaas.  If you bring him to me he will forever be in your debt.  I fear he may be closer then I realize and something terrible may happen to him. May I ask of you...or of your general...uh...help?  Bring him and I promise at first he may resist but once he sees how much I Love you and our family he will swear his allegiance."  She knew it was a lot to ask especially in light of all he had done for her.  "I am willing to give up anything you request for this Sabre.  I hope you don't think me ungrateful.  This isn't that at all.  I hope you understand."  She pleaded with her King, her Master, her love.

Sabre's previously happy demeanour changed in that moment, his face was blank of any emotion, his dark eyes fixed on her.

"I bring you to my home...give you my family....and all you can think of is one that abandoned you to a wicked life with a man who raped and beat you." He said, his voice too was devoid of any real emotion, inside though he seethed.

Any that knew Sabre would know that tone and that look....Ana especially.

"As you would have it there are interlopers that have encroached into my kingdom uninvited...that is an act of war....I have sent Abigor to investigate." He said quietly.

"If it is your brother then I will take your request under consideration Queen Flori." He said.

Sabre rose to his feet and gestured to Kora.

"Kora...come I need to walk a while." He nodded to Flori, Ana, Lui and Bouli.

"I will return in due course."

Sabre strode off down the pathway with Kora in quick pursuit behind him, when they were out of sight of the party the King stopped and turned to Kora.

"Ungrateful little bitch!" He snapped.

"I give her everything and she wants her brother!"

Kora moved closer to Sabre and laid a gentle and calming hand on his arm, he had only see Sabre lose his temper once or twice before.

"Calm yourself my king....you know this is the way of mortals, clinging to family no matter what." He said gently.

"If Abigor doesn't kill him then the Pits will.....deny all knowledge of him being here...she will think it nothing more than the baby playing tricks on her mind."

He stroked Sabre's cheek softly, an action to soothe and calm, nothing more, Kora loved his King but not in the sense that Abigor did.

"I will go back to them, take your time, walk some more....you know I will convince her otherwise."

Alorin sat outside the cave with his cloak wrapped about him and his blade laid across his lap, the place made him feel weary, it had done before on previous incursions into this enemy territory.  He stayed awake and on watch though outside the cave, it was better to let the elf sleep, the place would affect him more, he was mortal after all....and not invited.  The Rings only affected those that were not welcome or not invited and he and Opaas fell into both of those categories.

They were getting closer...he could feel their presence, the demons that were hunting them.  Perhaps the only way to protect Opaas was to hide this cave entrance and go on the run to lead them off.  He looked into the darkness of the cave and saw the elf fast asleep and he slowly started to cover the mouth with some scrub and small boulders.  When he was satisfied he took a breath and started away across the terrain towards a small copse of trees if they could be described as such.

He made sure his trail was easy to follow, letting his wing tips drag the ground.

Flori sat there in shocked silence.  His words cut through her.  She was quick to tears but refused to let them fall.  As he got up and left her Kora quickly following she got up herself.  Lui rushing to her side.  "What are doing Queen Flori.  You mustn't get upset.  It is hurtful to him that you wish another over us."

"It isn't that Lui!  My brother wasn't there when I was mislead into that situation.  I never even sent word to him!  My brother is too good for this place anyway!  Let go of me!"  She wrenched herself from Lui's grasp.  "I want to go back to my room!  If no one is willing to help me I'll go myself!"   The tears were now blurring her sight and Bouli came over.  Oddly Ana stayed where she was.

"Queen Flori l'll assist you."  He came to her side looking over at Ana for approval but he noticed Kora's figure and he backed away.

"Bouli please allow me.  Stay here and assist the King with his needs.  Let him know I have escorted the Queen for she was waning."  He knew Sabre would know otherwise this was his ruse so the others didn't know what the King and he spoke of.

"Queen Flori, come let us take the long way back."  He took the Queen's arm and lead her out in the opposite direction of the King.  He nodded to Ana who returned the acknowledgment.  "Tell me of this awful past and your brother."

Flori felt comfortable with this demon.  He was nothing like Abigor yet he seemed strong, he wasn't anything like Sabre yet he seemed kinder than most.  She opened up to him and told him her horrid background and how Sabre saved her.  Soon enough they were at her room and Lui was there and she was led to her bed.  She was exhausted.

Once she was asleep he chanted a spell. "When she wakes Lui she will have no memory of her asking about her brother or of the Kings disgust.   Let's not remind her.  I will go to the King."

Sabre came back to the party and saw the Kora, Lui and Flori were gone and Bouli and Ana remained.  He sat on the blanket and picked up a pastry and began to eat, His black eyes were fixed on the spot where Flori had sat.  He knew Ana would be annoyed with him, and he was waiting for the torrent she would unleash.

He had been unduly snappy with Flori, probably because he was worried for Abigor and annoyed that Flori would want any other over him.  He was Sabre, King of the Tenth, powerful, charismatic, all loved him.

He looked sidelong towards Ana.

"If you are to scold me Ana let's get it over with....Bouli, you can go to the Queen's chamber." He said quietly.

Bouli nodded and went to do as he was told.  He was the king after all.  But he was slow to move.

Ana waited until Bouli was far enough away.  "You need me not to scold you my King.  You are doing a better job of it yourself then I can."  She commented though a little contritely.

"King Sabre, she is a mortal.  They are not like us.  You know she has a high element of magic within her.  At least she is elven and not human.  This helps your child.  With your powers and her affinity for magic you couldn't have chosen a better mortal mate.  I expect you will sulk for a bit.  I will allow you this as I saw the riders leave and the one who was leading it.  I know not where they are headed but I understand your worry."  She was treating him as she would a spoilt child and she knew he was aware of it, but her voice did soften when she mentioned the riders.  If nothing else she knew the King was worried of this and it was to be expected.

"Now when you are done pouting, let me know and I will consider you visiting the Queen again."  She nodded at him but her eyes held love.

Lord Kora walked back to find Ana and King Sabre.  He had passed Bouli along the way so he wasn't surprised not to see him here.

"King Sabre, she is resting.  Lui and I placed her under and I cleared her memory of this day.  She will not remember asking you about anything.  My King.  My I say, I think her magic is strong.   You may need to have help in keeping her under.  Maybe Lui, Bouli, or I should help you now that you are back here and with so much else distracting you.  She is an asset for us.  You really did chose well my King."

With mortals one never knew.  He just didn't need the King worrying about her when they could keep her enthralled.  Once the baby came it would be done, everything else would be consumed by her love and motherly desire for the young-ling.

Sabre nodded to Ana.

"In a day or so Ana....I will ask you then if I can come and see her, with gifts and such the like to amuse her."

He looked to Kora and gestured for him to sit, he was aware that Kora was very good at the gentle sort of things that Flori would like.

"Perhaps you can visit her Kora, I wager she likes you a great deal....perhaps a little wooing, make her feel special and that all here adore her."

He thought of Bouli too.

"Instruct Bouli that he might do the same, she would be flattered by the attention I tell you....she would!"

Ana's look was still on him and he did feel like a spoilt brat, she looked at him with love, she was like his mother after all.  He did not often act out in this manner but he had pressing matters on his mind...more than an elven interloper that had kinship with his wife.

He looked up and saw a black crow fly overhead towards Master Zenethor's tower, he rose to his feet.

"I have to go and see Zenethor....it looks like Abraxi has returned and I need news."

Alorin stopped and took a breath, he should not be running from them, he should turn into them, shorten the distance between them. He shook out his wings fully and his armour melted about him, he looked impressive even in this hellish place.  With long determined strides he started back towards the cave and the past it and in the direction the riders were coming from, he could feel them with each step he took, three demons, two of them powerful.

He withdrew his blade which shone a pale silvery blue in the strange light of the Ring World.  Up in the mortal world it shone with a blinding brightness, but here so disconnected it shone but not with its normal brilliance.

He saw three horses crest the ridge, and he crouched low to watch them, they would see him, and now would come the moment, he would prevail or he would be captured.  If captured he would find out what happened to Angelics down here.

There was a soft knock at Master Zenethor's door causing the older demon to turn from lightly stroking Abraxi after removing a small scrap of parchment from the bird's leg.

"Enter." He called out.

Sabre came in and looked to his old Master expectantly.

"Is it from him....did he get your message?" He asked breathlessly.

Zenethor handed him the scrap of parchment with Abigor's mark on it and Sabre held onto it tightly.

"He knows....Warren will not dare try anything now.....are they close to catching the Angelic and the other....I am led to believe from my wife that it is her brother.....I do not want them near each other Master Zenethor....he must find his way into the Gladiator Dens with the Angelic and never be heard of again."

Zenethor nodded.

"I have promised Abigor them both....only males are allowed in the Dens...the Queen will never come into contact with either of them....female entry into the Dens is punishable...this is widely known!"

Sabre nodded slowly.

"I think Abigor will be pleased with his new fighters....he will enjoying taming them to fight for him in the tournaments."

Lord Kora nodded as he sat.  "Yes, we will take care of her so you can focus on other more important issues." 

He instinctively looked up and saw the faithful bird fly overhead as well.   "Yes go my King.  Please, when it is convenient  alert me."  He too was anxious of the news from his friend.

He turned to Ana and nodded.  "Shall we my lady?"  He offered his hand to the nursemaid. 

She I turn smiled and accepted his arm.  "Have you seen Lord Uric recently?"

This was a question she asked often.  It was all she would ask they had a deeper understanding of each other.

"I have and thank you for asking."  Was his softly spoken reply.

They walked back to the Queen's chamber where Lord Kora instructed both Lui and Bouli of the need to keep her under Sabre's thrall.  They would both be utilized and it was to be kept between them.

Both readily agreed.
--------

Opaas had not woken up yet.  His slumber was that of pure exhaustion.

-----------


Abigor pressed on her could smell it and the net Master Zenethor seemed to sense it was near as well.  Lord Warren for all his jealousy was still a demon of the tenth and a lord...he noticed the shadow figure and alerted the general. 

For a moment all was still.  The three on horseback and the lone angelic. 

Lord Warren broke the silence.  "There is only one showing shall we capture him first and then hunt for the missing?"

"That is a splendid idea Lord Warren.  Let us not waste time."  Abigor hissed not at his demons but more so directed at the angelic.  He was in a rage.  His pent up frustration for the last 18 years was about to be unleashed. 

Alorin watched as the horsemen seperated, two off to either side and one to the centre.  They meant to outflank and surround him.  He moved towards a mound of rock, his back against it, they would have to come back together, there was no way to flank him thus.  As they drew closer he recognised the centre demon astride a huge black night stallion, he had seen him before, confronted him once before as he held the portal open for his bretheren to escape after an incursion into the Ring World.

"Abigor." He cursed softly.

He had cut Abigor a good scar to his chest last time, and he bore a scar to his side, this was going to be difficult indeed.  Not to mention he saw something in Abigor's hand, something black and silken....a bloody Midnight Net.  They were not going for the kill.....they were going to try and take him alive....for what purpose?

The three demons flanked the angelic but he quickly maneuvered himself into the best defense system, his back impenetrable by a rocky outcropping.  Lord Warren's brought the right Farnon the left as they came back together.

With Abigor in the lead he came to a stop several feet away from the angelic.  The midnight net ready to be launched.  Then recognition crossed his face and an evil growl escaped his demon form fighting to come out but he didn't want that yet.  He was barely holding it back.  When he spoke it was in guttural more like the demon then his human side.

"What a wonderful surprise.  What was it they call you again?  Alorin...Yes your whore sister birthed that waste we have as prisoner."  A sinister laugh rolled forth.  It was actual full of true mirth like he found the whole situation funny somehow.  "This has to be what is it your kind call it?  Fate?"  He mocked the angelic with raised eye brows.  But he was not foolish enough to underestimate this one they had met before and he bore a deep reminder of it. 

Lord Warren was a master of stealth as the General spoke he slipped from his horse and right in front of them slid to the side.  His footsteps soft as a kittens.  He was getting ready to ambush the angelic from the right if he could just get a little closer. 

Farnon was excited.  His youth clearly could be seen as his nostrils flared breathing heavy with a look of lust for blood.

Abigor turned his horse to sort of form a ring around the angelic.  "How sweet it will be when I take you.  Perhaps I should let your whore nephew watch.  I hear from my stable lad he receive well."  It wasn't a threat it was he way to tell the angelic that the boy had given up his innocence to a demon.   

Alorin made no comment, though inside he felt bereft as he heard the taunt about his sister and then the news of the boy.

He just lifted his sword slightly higher and watched as the demon circled his horse to try and block any escape route.

"My sword remembers you Ring Spawn." He said coolly.

"The wound it cut you was a deep one....and it will do so again....I will die before I submit to you."

He kept his eyes on the net, if he got ensnared in that he would indeed be in trouble, but they at least did not know where Opaas was which was a blessing.

"You are fit to be nothing but dust beneath my feet....you and all of your kind....most of all that trickster you now call King.  I hear he too was naught but a slave to the King of the Fifth...a place best suited for such a....." He paused and delved hard into Abigor's memories....catching him off guard, the demon would expect a physical attack not a mental one.

"Yes.....a little bitch....you named him well, he spent eighteen years as King Jalise's did he not...and my nephew's!"

Alorin pointed his sword at Abigor with a smirk crossing his handsome features.

"And....now....it seems that is all you have become....except you are now his!"

It felt good to see the amusement turn to anger on the demon's face, Alorin kept his blade up and it was his turn to smirk now.

"I wonder what lies he has spun you to gain your loyalty General Abigor." He taunted.

"Did he promise himself? His sweet untouched innocence to be yours?"

His eyes moved sideways to the demon that was coming up on his side and he shifted slightly.

"Who knows how many had him before he was seconded to my nephew.....when he was imprisoned by the Fifth!"

Alorin did not know....he knew that Sabre had been taken as a young man by the Fifth, bound to serve the King's half blood son....but he liked the taunt.

"Delicious prisoner like the the Prince of the Tenth.....I wager he was well used by many before he went above!"

It was a risk riling up Abigor, but it might make him off balance and make a mistake....it was a slim chance.  If not he was going to pay for it in due course.

The angelic was good!  Oh so very good.  Abigor closed his eyes as his anger flared.  "Jealous?  I would wager you are, maybe you keep returning to the ring time and again in hopes one of us takes you?"  He raised his blade and the memory of the gassing from his hand made him growl deep and long.


The audacity of this interloper to belittle his King.  Speak of him in such a disgraceful manner.  "You foolish being.  Dust under your feet!  DUST."  He shouted as he let the Midnight Net fall softly on his thigh.  "You talk of such things you know nothing of.  You're soon to be the bitch here.  I will take you first and oh I will relish in the pain I cause you...next my men will all have their turn before we toss you into the arena.  Oh you will become my pretty little pet.  What will poor sweet Jelenis think?  His uncle ravished and depleted he will fall Angelic.  He will be ours.  Just as you will be!" 

Abigor was angry at the words the angelic spoke.  He was angered by the words he choose!  Throwing his own back onto him!  The cursed blade that had scarred him seemed the mock the general. 

Then he felt his Rune's warmth spreading through him.  As if Sabre was there.  Telling him to let go of the pain and bring this filth in...alive...to be tortured and made an example of.

His strength coming from deep within he brought his sword high and in one swoop he dismounted the night stallion and attacked the angelic.  Swirling the net high and tossing it in the angelics direction just as Lord Warrens released two arrows at the angelic as well.

Abigor would like nothing more than to fight and kill the angel...but alive would give the whole male population of the ring enjoyment watching him fight in the ring.

There was no more time for talk as he was attacked on two fronts, two arrows were loosed from the demon stalking him from the side and Abigor attacked from the front.  He had a choice, the arrows or Abigor and he dealt with the two arrows, deflecting them with his blade with scant moments to spare. He barely had enough time to meet Abigor's blade before something fine and silky fell over him....the bloody net!

Instantly he retracted his wings and they vanished leaving just a man in armour who fell heavily beneath the cloying magic of the silk, the failing light of the blade darkening to blue silver metal. So that was his fate....the Gladiatorial Dens of the Tenth....at least there may be a fighting chance of survival there.  The threats did not worry him, they would never get close enough to abuse him, not without injury.

He gazed up at the General.

"The boy does not even know I exist.....your threat is meaningless......" He said quietly.

Abigor smiled as the blades light diminished.  "Ahhh, but he will know all about you.  And how you allowed him to be abused and left him wondering the mortal realm without contact.  How we demons of the tenth took him in.  Tried hard to help him.  Still do.  He has not been harmed...yet..."

The general slipped on a glove of some thick material as he reached in and pulled the bloody angelic blade.  He didn't trust it.  Lord Warren had a thick cloak to wrap it in.  They immediately took care of the weapon.  Next was the collar.  He wasn't sure how feisty Alrion was going to be, but he didn't trust the angel.  "Lord Warren, here."  The dark demon took an extra set of gloves out and handed them to the demon.  "I do not trust him.  There were two.  A mortal elf and yet he is alone.  I'd question him but to what purpose he is still strong enough to resist.  The mortal will show himself in good time.  For now I want this one secured."

Abigor wasn't taking any chances with Alrion they had run into one another before and he knew his power was great.  The angelic was able to still fight in the demon realm that was saying a lot.  It would be like if Farnon and he was in the heavenly realm, Farnon would be useless Abigor very weakened and easily overtaken.   Yet this angelic was able to hold open portals and put up a fight.  He was too strong and thus not to be trusted.

They approached Abigor with the collar and Lord Warren's ready to secure the angelic as Farnon stood ready to strike an arrow if need be into the angel. 

As a General this angel would be a great prize.  Something he could take to the other rings Gladiatorial Tournaments.  Not to mention it would please King Sabre and Master Zenethor.  Yet the words Alrion said were lurking...festering.  The angel used his words against him.  Many had challenged him to take the tenth but his faith in Sabre never wavered.  Did this indeed now make him the very thing he loathed?    He shook his head, he would discuss this with Sabre once he caught the elf.

Flori awoke a bit groggy.  Rubbing her eyes and Lui was there.  Taking her hand and gestured for Bouli to her other side.  "Are you well Queen Flori?"  Came the concerned deep rumble from her guard.

"Uh...yes?  Um, I feel a little dizzy."  She answered. 

Lui touched her forehead, they had come up with a ruse of her fainting.  "You were having tea with the King and just fainted.  We were so concerned.  I will go now and let him know you came too.  Please Bouli do not leave her side."  Lui left but she was only going to leave a note for the king so he knew what was going on and their plan so he was aware of the situation.

Bouli looked at Flori.  He was confused.  The poor elven maid must have had it bad in the mortal realm, raped and beaten.  He wasn't pervious to her plight here.  There was also a great possibility she wouldn't make it through the birthing.  He gently touched her hand and smiled.

Flori looked lost.  She felt his touch and grabbed hold of it as though her life depended on it.  Huge tears began to come and she wasn't sure why.  He wrapped her in an embrace and let her cry.  He stroke her hair softly.  He was to continue her thrall, yet...yet...he closed his eyes and swallowed.  He was only doing what was ordered he reasoned.  Nothing more.  Then why did he feel his stomach twisting as he leaned back and brushed some of her raven hair off her face.  He brought his lips to hers and it was a gentle brush.  As he pushed air into her lungs.  His eyes held hers.  Just breathing letting his corruption work as he had been instructed to do.  The only problem was the pounding of his heart.

Flori didn't move she was transfixed and her tears began to dry up as she felt a calming energy taking over.  When he stopped he embraced her again and just sat on her bed in each other's arms.  A confused Queen and a confused demon guard.   

He felt her drifting and laid her down.  He pulled the blanket up and sat in the chair beside her bed he touched her hand and laced his fingers into hers and sat and watched the Queen sleep.  First thing he was going to do was beg the General for a new post.

The net was cloying sapping his very strength, just what the Midnight Net was conceived to do, shut off what connection he had to his own power.  His cursed as they took his weapon and then he saw the collar, one made of black diamond, the demons were taking no chances, the collar made of black diamond meant he would not be able to leave the Rings as long as he wore it. 

As the two older demons closed in on his he struggled beneath the net, kicking out, punching, but he knew it was inevitable and the collar was snapped on and it felt like it was choking him. He glared up at Abigor, but he felt it, the uncertainty in the demon General...that look in his eyes.

"Spin what lies you must....if the boy is corrupted as you say it matters not." He said quietly.

"But you seem troubled Abigor....perhaps you do not trust your king as much as you thought hmm." He hissed.

"Perhaps even now he is with another in your absence....I am sure there is another he cares for.....perhaps an old friend."

They snapped the collar into place and Abigor wished it would sap the angel's prowls of speech.  It bothered him that he could read his thoughts.  Lord Warren mocked the angel not piecing what the angel was saying to more than just General and King.  Not understanding the true nature of the relationship between them. 

Abigor was breathing heavy and his anger built.  He fought to control his demonic form from emerging.  Once released there was no reasoning with him.  The general turned a hideous roar came from deep within and he looked at Lord Warren.  "He taunts me.  My scar remembers."  The other Lord leaned in close to the angel. 

"What a lovely prize the tenth had acquired.  You taunt still in your precarious position.  How delightful!  The dens will love you!  I for one cannot wait to watch you.  What a lovely little pet.  Taunt away you are forever bound to this realm.  I can only hope the King is pleasing himself at this very moment and is doing so with his old friend the Prince of the fifth.  And soon we can all use the boy!"    His laughter was a sickening sound that rang out.

Abigor smiled but his mind was troubled.  An old friend indeed, one with more likes in common and a similar lonely longing for a lover he couldn't keep.  The general willed himself to stop the thoughts.  The angelic did it on purpose.  It was his only recourse.  Yet his anger mounted with every step.  "We need to go in the direction this thing came from.  The mortal hides and we will find him."  He yanked the angelic up and flung him quite roughly onto the night stallion which reared slightly and smoke bellowed.  "Lord Warren's please lead this course and take Farnon.  I need to have a discussion with our most esteemed guest."  He let the other two go ahead and lifting the angelic by his hair through the net growled.  "I will only warn you this once Alrion.  Stop now or the price you pay will have you wishing for the end.  I am not teasing you angelic."  His nostrils flared and like his stallion smoke rose from them as his features pulsated with the hunting imagine of his true form.

Alorin winced slightly as his head was wrenched up by his hair and he looked into the image of the demon's true form, one that he had seen...and injured before.

"Of Course General Abigor...I would not injure your fine sensibilities with my idle chatter." He said with mock servility.

He had hit a nerve.....an old and once jealous nerve in the General.

The Night Stallion started forward and Abigor would hear Sabre's voice in his mind, it tired the Prince to travel psychically over a great distance in his still weakened state...but he did it.

"Gor....you are to return immediately with that thing...leave Lord Warren and Farnon to apprehend the mortal.  The sooner the Angelic learns its place in the Pits the better, Zenethor has the deed for its ownership written up for you...you have but to name it for it will not carry its own name but one of your choosing....it is a slave!"

He felt his lover's anger and suspicion and he was confused by it, he had never lied to Abigor, he still did retain his innocence that was Abigor's.  King Jalise had made it very clear that no-one was to touch him when he had been a prisoner in the Fifth.

"We will speak on your return when you have it caged in the Pits, it seems we have much to discuss and then you can tell me how you plan to tame that despicable wretch to fight for you and win you glory and fame within the Rings Gladiatorial Tournaments!"

Sabre fell back against his chair after communicating with Abigor, it had been hard and Abigor was not in the best of moods which made it all the more difficult.  He was letting that Angelic get inside his head.  He looked to Zenethor who sat studying him intently.

"You reached him my king?" He asked softly.

Sabre nodded.

"I am concerned Master Zenethor, he let that thing into his mind, it has spun lies and mistrust to him." He brushed at his eyes, tears prickled them, pain at the thought that Abigor possibly thought him used and soiled and would no longer love him.

Zenethor shook his head.

"That thing will learn its place....the Pits are just what it needs, Abigor will feel better once he is home and sees you and has your reassurance."

Sabre took a breath.

"I hope so my Lord....I hope so."

He was snorting as the calming voice entered his clouded mind.  Yes...yes...leave the elf to Lord Warrens and Farnon.  He ruthlessly released the angelic's hair and mounted his stallion.  He quickly lashed at it and chased the others down.  He informed them of the change of plans and Lord Warren's was in agreement.  His general rarely took that form and with his family at the castle he had no intention of doing anything but what was requested. 

With another twist he was riding back towards home with his slave.  But his emotions were in a rage.  The stallion could sense his master's turmoil and matched his ferocity.   Its hooves beat the ground and a cloud of dust left a tail in its wake.  The journey was anything but calming for all three parties.

Gen'pi waited in his room for Nyla to show with Lord Uric's son Manfre.  He had not long to wait as they showed.  Lord Uric's son weaved a bit of his magic, taking some of the blood of Gen'pi and craating an image of the demon upon his own body.  Nyla smiled.  "See I told you!"  She tugged on the real Gen'pi's arm.  "Now hurry!  We don't have much time.  You cannot stay long okay.  The magic doesn't last very long and we don't want to risk Lord Manfre being punished and us two branded traitors."  This she was serious about.

She peeked out his door and the demon who had been guarding didn't think anything of it.  Two demon went in and now two were leaving.  And the one left behind was the stable lad.  Really he had no reason to think otherwise.

Nyla made Gen'pi keep his face hidden.  They made it to Prince Jelenis' prison and with Gen'pi holding a large tray and she a basket of fresh linen requested entry.  Which she was granted.  It was alerted that fresh linen would be provided today.  The two slipped past the first doors.  Now the last.

But, the demon looked with Gen'pi's face hidden she only looked at the trays and into the basket which contained nothing but what it should.

She let them in.  Gen'pi was trembling.  The Prince was placed under a ward to a small section of the cell until the door closed and locked behind the two.  Gen'pi was shaking he almost spilled the drink which would smell just like spiced mulled cider.  Nyla smiled at the Prince and whisper.  "Prince Jelenis go over to the table."  She went ahead and began to make the bed up.

"Jelenis..."  He said in a pained whisper.  "I cannot stay long."  He dared not touch him but ached too.  "I miss you and I am so sorry.  I thought we...I was a fool to think we could be together.  You are a Prince.  I should never have hurt you."  He pushed the hood down a bit and the tears were clearly in his eyes.  Nothing hiding his feelings, which had always been true for Jelenis. 

Jelenis looked up at the sound of that voice and he blinked and took a step back momentarily.

"How can I truly believe you.....you took my innocence for them....I thought you actually really liked me Gen." He said in a choked pained voice.

"You could have defied them and not done it. All I have suffered is cruel ridicule from all I have met here....called a slut....a good ride.....I have had demons threaten to use me!" The voice broke into a soft sob.

"Please tell me how I can trust you again.....I want to.....but I feel scared and hurt....and lost."

He sat on a chair at the table and laid his head in his hand and sobbed, the guard was used to it and paid no attention.

Just outside the main city of the Tenth loomed a huge towering circular building known as the Pit.  It was where all the fighting slaves were kept and trained.  Each had their own cell, marked outside with their name and who owned them.  There were strict records kept of how many they had fought, how many fights they had won and how much they had earned their masters.  All the slaves in the Pit were male as were their owners, females were not tolerated here.

Lord Uric owned two slaves, one an Angelic called Sariel who had been caught on an incursion, the other a huge mortal called Castor.

Lord Warren had two slaves also, one demon an outcast of the Fifth called Pitch and an Elf from the Mortal Realm called Ulyss.

Lord Kora had one slave....an Angelic called Tauron.

Lord Zenethor's Angelic known as Castiel had succumbed to wounds recently and died....he had various other laves of assorted races, another five in total.  His stable of fighters was the largest.

There were other slaves of Minor Lords, but the aforementioned were the ones of note.

All of the slaves had arrived back in their cells and were fed their daily ration of food, obedience was paramount in this institution, defiance was punished harshly and it was usually carried out by their Master who would be summoned if there was an issue.  If a Master was summoned a slave knew they had gone to far and that their punishment would be swift and hard...the Angelics were the ones that fought against the regime the hardest but even they learned the hard way that it did not do you any favours to act out in here.

The Pit Master watched from his room as a cloud of dust headed towards his establishment....looked like he might be getting a new recruit...he wondered what was going to be thrown before him today.

Gen'pi had nothing Jelenis was right.  He did as he was instructed but somewhere it changed for him.  He came closer to the table as he dared not wanting to cause a scene.  "You are right, I could have but, but...Prince Jelenis I love you so.  I hoped and thought we could...I truly didn't know this was going to happen.  You have to believe me I didn't.  I don't know what I thought but all of my feelings were true.  I think you already know that though."  His own voice breaking a few times as tears fell from his eyes.

"Nyla we should go.  Please, I fear getting caught will only do worse."  It pained him to hear how Jelenis was being treated.  He deserved so much more.  The female demon was almost done.  She looked at them both and said, perhaps their is something I can do to help you both?"  She looked pensive a moment.  "But I must know that you both want to be together?  You do right?"  She questioned both boys.  Her pale eyes wide with hope.

Gen'pi nodded yes, "I would do anything to erase the pain I caused.  Make up to him and prove I truly do love him."  He looked at Jelenis with pain and worry.

Abigor was in no mood to be pleasant.  His stallion rode hard and as they made it back to the pits stable entry by now he was more demon than human.  He practically ripped the angelic from the horse and flung him over his shoulders the black horns almost clipping his head.  He strode towards the pit master.  The general's voice deep now as it spoke almost a cross between speaking and a growl.  "Take this slave, he is to be named in a few hours.  Becareful he is a powerful one."

The pit master knew who it was but had not seen him in this state since he came back from the front lines to find the Prince...now King taken.  This was not good.  He nodded. "The collar?"

"Yes, it is in place."  Abigor was no calmer.

"I will have the net returned m'lord."  The pit master bowed and grasped the net in his meaty paws and dragged the angelic away to the cells.

He watched it go.  Raising his hand to his eyes he cursed himself for allowing it to mess with his mind.  He was not himself.  He could not stop how he felt.  The thought of anyone touching Sabre made him into a beast.  Turning he so he could head back to the castle he walked in a steady pace his clothing shredded from his transformation, which had not reverted back.

Jelenis looked to the girl, his eyes red and glassy.

"I do want to be with him.....but it is impossible, they will find us and it will be worse than before." He said quietly.

He looked to Gen and gave the most heart melting of small smiles.

"I forgive you Gen....and I love you." He whispered.

He stood up and took a small step back to the stable hand.

"And what we did....was not so bad......not if you truly did love me."

Alorin was shown no quarter as he was dragged along a stone corridor towards what looked like a bank of cells. Other demons came and he was held and untangled from the net and the pit master took a good look at him.

"Well now.....aren't you a fine looking thing." He growled softly as he started to take his notes for the record.

He recorded height, weight, hair and eye colour, species and then the armour.

"I know that I can not take that armour from you Angelic, part of you isn't it.....from the insignia I would put you as a high rank too....Lord Abigor has himself a real prize huh pretty!"

Alorin said nothing....offered nothing, keeping his gaze fixed on a corner of the room.

"Not so talkative are you.....well you don't need to be here pretty one.....and I wager you have the skills to please a crowd. Take him to cell twelve....that is your new home....I hope you like it!"

Alorin was pulled down another corridor and pushed into a cell and the door was locked. He looked about and shook his head, not much of anything as he suspected.  A pallet in the floor, straw filled by the scent, no blanket. A bucket over to one corner for his waste and that was the grand tour. It might have been worse he suppose.....but for now it would do.....he had no plans to stay.

Nyla smiled softly.  "Prince Jelenis, let me worry about that.  I will see that you two are together and free form being chased."  She looked at Gen'Pi and gestured for him to say goodbye.

"Jelenis, I truly love you.  Never doubt that no matter what they do in between please.  I cherish what we did.  It was beautiful, the most beautiful experience of my life.  I love you and always will."  He grazed the Princes hand, it was barley noticeable.

"Come on, I am sorry but we need to get you back."  Nyla went to the door and Gen'pi followed slowly.  He kept looking back at Jelenis the entire time until they were through the outer doors and headed back to Gen'pi's room.

Abigor crossed the expanse and went through the courtyard.  He was still in his demon form and was just beginning to come down.  At first he was going to calm down before going to Sabre butting would take longer than he wanted to wait.  His purple skin had a sheen, his long black talons shined like his horns.  His heavy footsteps echoed through the corridor.


Lord Kora watched as Abigor passed their eyes met and held.  Kora admonished him.  He just growled his discontent.  "General Abigor, how could you?  We also have things to discuss, our special guest received a visitor today."  Kora was not about to let Abigor off easy.  He didn't know the full extent of it all but he surmised.

Lord Kora had let the visit take place.  He monitored the entire interaction, just in case, but now that he heard them he needed to discuss this with Abigor, just not in this state.


"Do not cast your disgust on me Lord Kora."  His voice was guttural and harsh. 

"I am not and you know that!  But do not go to him in this state.  He deserves better!"  Lord Kora was just as harsh.  He never feared the general he trusted him.

Shame began to appear in the purple orbs.  Lord Kora held tight, "I understand friend.  Just not like this don't ruin the beauty of your time.  You will regret it always and lose him forever."  He reached out and touched the huge arm gently.

Abigor allowed Kora to maneuver him towards his own chamber.  Once the general was there Lord Kora had him resting, to speed the transformation.  He left a guard and went to the king and the master.

Knocking he waited outside so as not to intrude.  "King Sabre, Master Zenethor, he has returned.  I took him to rest.  I am unsure what transpired but he is not wel". He didn't want to cause them worry but he needed to let them know.

Sabre looked to Kora within concern in his beautiful dark eyes.

"His transformation has not receded yet?" He asked anxiously.

Abigor was difficult to reason with when he was angry, more so when he transformed into his natural demon state.  Sabre had to admit he was a little scared of Abigor when he was in such a rage as that, he was unpredictable.  What the Angelic had insinuated had him visibly rattled it seemed.....insidious lies designed to drive a wedge between them.

"Thank you Lord Kora.....can you send him to my rooms when he is rested, I have much to discuss with him."

He needed Abigor back to himself for what would be a harrowing conversation for him, having to prove his innocence of the Angelic's lies.  In his current state Abigor would not control his emotions and might have ended up hurting him in his anger, raping him, or killing him.

He looked to Zenethor.

"I will retire to my chamber, when I am done I will send him to you to conclude his paperwork on the slave." He said softly.

Lord Kora nodded and excused himself.  He would be there for Abigor when he awoke.

It had been a sleep of nightmares, even demons had them.  As he slept slowly he transformed back into his human form.  He had been asleep for hours and when he awoke Lord Kora was there.  At first he was at a loss for where he was.  But soon the memories came rushing back and he looked towards Kora for comfort.

The lord was happy to oblige and reassured the general.

"What have done?  I didn't?  No...no...thank you Kora.  I don't know what would have happened!  That angelic!  Disgusting!  They call us treacherous!"  His voice filled with shame. 

"I was only too happy to be here.  I know, you need not say it.  But are you well enough to go visit him?"  Kora didn't want to push unless he knew the general was completely himself.

"Yes, yes.  Let me clean up.  Please tell him I will be right there...and I am sorry.  No, wait I will tell him that."  Abigor stood.  A little weakened but not so much that it was noticeable, except to those close to him.

"I will let him know you will be right up."  Lord Kora stood and for a moment squeezed the general's arm softly in support.

The lord went to let the king know that Abigor would be up shortly.  "King Sabre, I am sorry to interrupt, General Abigor will be right up, he is much better.  But, would you like me to stay or at least be close by?"  He would never eavesdrop but he wanted Sabre know he would stay close by.

Abigor clean up and was shocked at how the angelic got to him.  He trusted Sabre! 

Sabre sat in his chair in the ante room in his chamber, he looked a little pale and worried, when Kora knocked and told him Abigor would visit soon he looked a little anxious. 

"Thank you Kora." He said shakily.

When his friend offered to be close by he found himself nodding briefly.

"Thank you Kora."

He sat back down and waited not quite knowing what to expect, he was scared, Abigor could be terrifying when angry.  What if he did not believe him? He had saved his final innocence for his would be lover.  The only way it would be confirmed was if Abigor took him or he called for the accursed physician to prove such as his father used to demand.

The general was ashamed of himself.  He had allowed the angelic to get inside his head and he knew better! 

Abigor knocked softly and entered.  His long black hair hanging loose.  He was in soft black breeches and leather boots.  His shirt a pale lavender that hung lightly, it was not tucked in and the tie at the collar was left undone. 

He approached Sabre and without a word spoken he dropped to his knees placing his head in Sabres lap.  His strong arm reached around him and for the first time he begged for forgiveness.  "Sabre I do not deserve it but I beg of you to forgive me.  I wasn't myself.  I have not been and he touched a weakness.  I have always been so jealous of another being with you that the thought just was wretched as was my mind.  Please forgive me."

He spoke softly as he held him tightly.

Sabre was taken a back a little by Abigor on his knees before him, and as that tight embrace came he trembled a little, expecting the worst as he had always received that from his father and Abigor to some small degree reminded him of the old king just  little in that moment.

"I forgive you Gor....I would always forgive you anything." He said softly.

"But I have to ask why did you let that thing get inside your mind?"  It was an honestly asked question and one of concern.

"It's soul purpose would be to cause dissension between us and it almost succeeded....I would never lie to you about something like what I promised to you.....never....for as much as I hated King Jalise of the Fifth, he ordered that none were to abuse me whilst I was captive there."

He stroked Abigor's hair gently, soothingly, trying to make the larger man more calm, more at ease. Compare to Abigor, Sabre was a slight thing, he was no weakling but against the General in a rage he would not stand a chance.

"It is your slave now, Zenethor told me about the collar, it should help diminish its heavenly powers, you need to teach it a lesson Gor, it needs to learn that such treatment of its master will earn it harsh punishment."

He pushed Abigor back lightly.

"You need to go to Zenethor and name the creature for the deed....then tomorrow you will go to the Pits and have it taught a lesson it will not forget readily."

Sabre leaned forward and his lips touched Abigor's, tentatively at first, and them with more passion.

"Come to my chambers tonight." He said softly.

"I seem to recall you wanted to teach me a lesson I would not forget...unless your feelings for me have changed." He toyed softly.

Alorin laid on the straw pallet and stared up at the stone ceiling on his cell, he was thinking about how he might get off this accursed collar and then escape this hole.  He had the sense there were other Angelics in this place, and he might be able to save them too.  His thoughts then went to the boy, his sister's son, who had given up his innocence to a demon.  So he had either slept with a female demon or more likely such a handsome innocent thing had been mounted by one...Abigor seemed to suggest that he had been mounted by one, the boy had sinned most direly to lose his innocence in such a way.

He was lost now....there was nothing he could do to redeem the boy, perhaps killing him might be the kindest course.

There was a grating of the hatch at the bottom of the door and a tray was pushed through, upon it was a hunk of bread, a stew of some sort and a cup of water. He laid back down, he would not eat their food, who knows what they may have laced it with.  The Pit Master watched through the upper grate as the food went untouched....nothing new there, they were all like that to begin with, though it would have to be reported to his owner of course.

Grunnurk shook his head, this one was going to be trouble, he had a sense for these things, Castiel, Zenethor's Angelic had been the same but Master Zenethor had soon worn him down, may haps General Abigor would do the same with this one.

Zenethor sat in his offices going over the paperwork that would give Lord Abigor ownership of the Angelic.  He had owned several in his time, but the one that had earned him the most across the Rings had been Castiel. He had been fond of the slave as one might of been of a hunting hound or a Night Stallion.  Once broken Cas had seen the error of his ways and served his master well until he had succumbed to wounds from an illegal poison blade used in the last fight by a fighter of the Third.

Zenethor had been with Castiel when he passed, even removed the collar that denied him access to his realm.  When the Angelic had died he had disappeared in a shower of blinding silver light, nothing remained.

He felt Abigor was going to have trouble with this one, he was ranked higher than Castiel in their realm, the equivalent of a general, they called them Archangels.  This Alorin was one of those...he was sure of it.  No-one had ever caught an Archangel before, it would be like having a wild Night Stallion to break only worse.  He would offer Abigor the benefit of his experience, though a lower rank Cas had fought against him hard in the beginning.  In the end he had Castiel obeying every command, performing in any way he commanded...quiet, beautiful and obedient.

It would start with Abigor re-naming the brute like one would a beast, every time it referred to itself as anything else it would be punished.  The training regime would need to be hard and long, no time for rebellion, he would literally have to have the thing worn out....by the time it went back its cell it would be exhausted.  There were ways of doing this that would not allow it a weapon...Grunnark had all sorts of novel ways, Abigor would need to discuss it with him.

Abigor was visibly relieved by Sabre's understanding and when the king pushed him back softly he followed the lord's gestures.  His gentle caress of his hair, all undeserving but much needed.  "I know!  I do not deserve one as kind as you king.  But just knowing you forgive me is enough."

"I shall go to Master Zenethor now."  Sabre touched his lips to Abigor's and it soon heated.  It was a raw expression of their love and passion for one another.  He instantly was enthralled and was returning the passion.

As they broke apart the generals breathing was elevated.  His eyes simmered with longing.  When Sabre told him to come to his chambers that evening his heart which was already beating crazily only increased!  He smiled a soft loving smile and nodded.

"I believe you are incorrigible my King!  I cannot wait until the lessons begin."  He was much calmer and the doubts the angelic filtered into his mind have been dispelled.

He left the King feeling more himself.  He walked the Master Zenethor's study and he passed Lord Kora who seemed to be always near.  He smiled no one better guarded the King, he was pleased Kora was so levelheaded.  He reminded him that they needed to speak once he was done with Master Zenethor.  He nodded and with his eyes gave the lord a grateful look.

He knocked and announced himself as he entered.  "Master Zenethor,  I am here to complete the paperwork and start the breaking of the slave." 

Zenethor looked up and nodded gesturing to a chair.

"You went to see Sabre, did he allay your fears, he was most distressed when he thought the Angelic had got to you." He said softly.

"So what are you going to name it?" He asked picking up his quill to fill out the rest of the parchment.

"I think he is an Archangel you know....he is not going to be an easy break Abigor."

He looked up and sat back momentarily.

"I will help you if you need it my boy....my last Angelic Castiel was difficult...but it was not impossible. He became my best slave did Cas when I finally tamed him."

He closed his eyes a bit ashamed of his actions.  "Yes, I was with him before coming here.  Master Zenethor."  He stopped and looked up the the highly respected demon.  "I know I shouldn't but I find I cannot help myself.  I love him and the angelic knows this.  He will bait me."

He shifted to look at the documents.  Even for all  his accomplishments he never owed a salve.  He'd never had the time.  I shall name him Pharzuph, for fornication and lust!  An Archangel you say, well I think this is the perfect name to remind him he is now a slave!  What do you think?

It was still important to Abigor that Master Zenethor gave approval, they were adults and did differ from time to time but always respectfully.

"I will be grateful for your help Master."

Zenethor penned the name into the document and looked back to Abigor.

"It is a good name son, he will hate it and not respond to it.....but between us we will tame him well." He said softly.

He listened to the admission of love from the General, he had known about it, always known how the pair had felt for each other and of course the Angel would use it against him.  They had to be careful on how they managed that.

"There is no denying Abigor that he will be a handful and difficult to break but you must be strong in this, do not spare the lash, do not show it compassion....it is a lethal thing in its own right."

He nodded his attention on every word the demon spoke.  How well he knew it too.  He was also grateful for Master Zenethors advice and help.  Abigor would not spare the slave, no...not one bit.  He was related to that piece of filth they held prisoner, so he would retract his revenge off the uncle.

-----------------

Farnon and Lord Warrens followed the direction from which the angelic had come from.  The lord noticed a cave, it had been used recently.  But nobody was present now.


-----------

Opaas had awoke.  Alone?  Where? Why? 

These were the thoughts running through his mind.  He had to find Flori!  He had to get out of here! He began walking but he had absolutely no way to know where he was headed.     

Sabre supposed he should go and visit Flori and play the loving husband, he did not want to but he thought it wise to do so.  He knew Kora wanted to speak with Abigor on some urgent matter so he left him behind and walked through the corridors to the South Wing.  He knocked softly on the door, of course there was no guarantee that  Ana would let him in, after all he had been a pouting brat not long past and upset the queen.  She would have forgotten that now and he would be all charm and grace for her now.  He would do as she asked or needed, sate her however she wanted......tonight he would be with Abigor and none of it mattered.

He waited for Ana to answer, forcing a smile to his face and conjuring some roses to give to his wife.

Ana felt him.  She nodded as she opened the door.  "Be kind King...she holds something very precious."

Flori smiled gracefully.  "Sabre!  It is so good to see you.  I wish you would come more often."  Her memory of the garden fully vanished by Kora. 

Bouli stood up, he had been reading to the Queen.


"Will you join us?  Bouli is reading to me, sometimes it is lovely to hear others tell you the story.  I haven't too much longer as we are going for a walk soon.  Unless you care to join us?"

Flori was lost in her little world.  Lord Kora and Bouli had her quite enthralled.  She hadn't even thought of Opaas or much of anything besides the baby and of motherhood in general.

"You are welcomed to come King Sabre.  Unless you have other matters to tend too?"  Ana spoke to him with a small smile.

Sabre gave Flori his best smile.

"How lovely for you, I know how much you love stories Flower." He said softly.

He settled himself down in a chair and indicated for Bouli to carry on reading, it was a common tale among demonkind, one that Sabre had heard as a child when Ana used to read to him.  When it was done he looked to them all.

"Where were you planning to walk, of course I would love to join you....maybe we could go to the Royal Stables and let Flori see the Night Stallions....I think there will be some Night Mares too...may be even a foal or two." He winked.

He turned to Ana all courtesy and charm.

"Well Nana Ana.....after the walk to wherever is Flori allowed to see the stables.....she likes horses."

Ana once again smiled raising her eyebrow in appreciation.  "Yes, let us head to the stables!" 

Flori squealed with delight.  "Oh King Sabre!  I love this idea!  I do so love riding.  And if I recall you gave me a beautiful pony once?  Whatever happened to it?"  She looked at him wide eyed.

Lui and Ana looked over at the king as well with a questioning look.

Since Sabre had entered the room and her initial hug and kiss Flori hadn't made another move to reach out to touch him.  Instead she stayed closer to Bouli.  Not in a lovers sort of way more as a reassurance sort of way. 

She knew he was her husband, that she was carrying their child yet Flori seemed not to be as needful of Sabre.  She wasn't dependent on his energy as she was being given this through Lord Kora, Bouli, and Lui.  This gave the king much more freedom.  Once the baby came she would never leave the rings. 

Sabre smiled broadly at her squeal of delight and answered the question about her pony quite smoothly.

"We had to leave him behind darling....horses from your world do not fare well here and you would not want to see him suffer....I turned him loose before we left to run wild."

They all started out towards the stables, the building was tall and airy and lined with many stalls on both sides.  In some were huge black Night Stallions, dangerous and powerful, in others there were the smaller Night Mares, varying in colour from black to dark grey, and in larger stalls to the end were two mares with foals, small black versions of their sires.

"Look now....do you like them Flori." He grinned.

"How would you like to name these two foals?"  He nodded to the stable master who smiled at the Queen following his king's lead.

"Both Boys Milady queen." The man said softly.

"One was sired by Lord Abigor's stallion.....and one by Lord Kora's, He indicated to the two stallions that stood with their flaming eyes watching the party.

"Kora's stallion is called Gabrior....Lord Abigor's is Vespion...."

"Oh, well at least he is free now.  I just remember how beautiful he was.  Maybe after the baby I can go riding with Bouli or Lui once in a while."  She let Lui help her into the cloak provided.

The stable was a magnificent building.  Her eyes where wide with delight as she peered into the stalls.  The Night Stallions reared slightly and bucked as they passed.  Their eyes blazed of unbridled fury and it stirred something deep within Flori.  Lui and Bouli felt it and her trusted guard put his hand on her shoulder trying to suffuse the passion that was building.

They walked over to the stalls where the foals where past the Night Mares.  The stable master nodded when Sabre said she could name them.  This elicited such excitement from the Queen she was smiling from ear to ear.    "I would love to!"

Flori stood there and watched the two foals she asked if the two stallions where present and the stable master pointed to each sire in turn.  Flori looked back at the two foals and studied them.  She smiled.

"I've got it!  Lord Kora's foal shall be called, Skinfaxi and General Abigor's shall be called Azarax."  She looked up quite proudly too! "What do you think My King."

Sabre smiled at her choices.

"Very noble names my queen."

He reached out to pat the black velvet nose of a large coal black stallion who stuck his head over the door at the sound of his voice and whickered.

"Hello Darkstar." Sabre said with true affection.

"Flori this is my horse.....Darkstar."

The stable master nodded.

"He mated a mare a while back, she is due soon, by the feel of her  it is going to be a big powerful foal she turns out."

Sabre smiled wryly and a piece of meat appeared in his hand and he fed it to the huge Night Stallion.

"You and I must go for a ride old friend." He whispered softly.

He turned back to the stable master.

"Perhaps you might find a mount for Queen Flori...she will want to ride when she has had her baby, but in the meantime she can come here and groom and pet it if Ana permits." He mused.

"And Queen Flori's favourite colour is scarlet or it used to be, her saddle and bridle and stable halter must be made of scarlet leather." He said softly.

Flori flushed with pleasure.  He was granting her permission of freedom.  And he remembered her color.  The color he gave her, the color he put into her life.  She couldn't help herself.  She rushed over and held him softly around the waist.  "I love you King Sabre.  I love you."

Once she let go she looked over at Ana, with a child like pleading.  The older demon chuckled.  "As long as you are well I will allow it."  To the king she silently told him he was forgiven. 

They spent some more time there and the stable master showed her the available mares.  She picked a beautiful gray coat with a black mane horse.  She laughed as it nuzzled her nose.  "oh she is perfect!  Absolutely perfect."

Lui smiled, "what shall her name be Queen?"

"I shall call her...."  She hesitated and thought "...Stromgray.  Yes, I think that will be perfect."  Flori snuggled her face into the neck of the mare and kissed her.

"Thank you my husband.  You are far too kind to me."  She looked down a little as a show of gratitude. 

Abigor had gone over the details in depth with Master Zenethor.  They would instruct Grunnark on a stead fast regimen.  The general realized this prize was not going to be won easily.  Not at all, but nothing worth a damn was ever easy.  He grinned.  The general actually grinned.

There was much to do.  He was even a bit excited about this capture and subsequent training.  It would be just the thing he needed. 

Abigor briefly thought of Lord Warren and Farnon.  He was confident they would return victorious as well.

He headed over to met with Lord Kora in the war room.  He was greeted with a curt nod and raised eyebrows, but quickly followed by a gruff of laughter.

"Kora, I cannot express my thanks."  But the general was cut off. 

"Say no more General Abigor.  I was only extending a curtousy you would to me in a revered situation."

The general simply smiled.

"Now, our special guest had a visitor today.  Gen'pi."  Abigor went to interrupt but Kora silenced him again.  "Shhh, let me finish.  Gen'pi was helped by Nyla and young Lord Mufre.  You know we cannot let Ulric know he will skin the boy alive."  He sighed.

"Mmmm, yes. So you obviously allowed this to happen?  Why?"  The general trusted Kora of all the others if anything happened to him it was his strict orders that without a heir or until his was capable Lord Kora would stand in. 

"I wanted to see what their intentions were. How far the prisoners corruption was and Gen'pi as well."  Shifting he looked Abigor hard in the eyes.  "The boy loves Gen'pi and vice versa.  Nyla would like to see them together.  Free.  Here in the tenth.  She is working a plan and I was thinking...now don't go crazy."  He made a grimace.  "But, I was thinking Nyla is of marriageable age, you are without a suitable mate.  Who else you find out her plans then you Lord Abigor.  You always had a way, a gift.  I do not wish to see her cased out.  You know how I felt about her family, how we all felt."  He looked at the general in earnest.

"You are crazy Kora.  But, there is merit.  I will discuss this with King Sabre and Master Zenethor, please just keep your spies on them.  And please I agree do not let Ulric know.  His son is gifted, like you.  Like King Sabre.  His magic is strong."

Abigor now had more on his mind. 

The two friends decided on a drink as they discussed some planning of helping the eighth ring with protection.  They knew the fourth ring would assist.  This brought a smile to Abigor and he asked about Karadis. 

The years had passed but the tenth, the fourth, and the eighth ring always stayed loyal, to Abigor's knowlege their kiss had never been discovered.

Sabre smiled at her enthusiasm and watched as she cuddled the animal which seemed slightly confused by the action.  Night Mares could be as easily as ferocious as their male counterparts.

"A fine name Flori darling." He said brightly.

He nodded to the Stable Master.

"Put her name on the door and enter it into the records as well as the names for the two foals."

He tilted his head to Ana when he heard her silent forgiveness, better to have Ana pleased at you than cross at you after all.

"Well....I have matters to attend to...enjoy the rest of your walk darling...please send word if there is anything you need or require." He bowed courteously to her, taking her hand and kissing it lightly.

He then to Ana.

"Please make sure she does not over tax herself Ana." He also gave her a short bow out of respect.

Now he would go to his chambers and prepare for Abigor, their night together would be long.

Sabre had a carafe of the best red wine sent to his room and a bowl of sweet plump blackberries.  Candles burned in their sconces, they were scented with bay and sage, giving the room a heady scent, pleasing to the senses though.

The linens on the bed were fresh and crisp, and now he looked to himself.  A bath had been drawn and he currently lounged in its warm depths, it was mildly scented with some sort of oil, he did not know what the maid had put in there but it smelled good.  He had laid a robe out on the bed, an amethyst one like the one Abigor first saw him in in the library that night he had given him the book.

Sabre for some reason was a little nervous, afraid even...it was not like he had never bedded anyone, he had bedded females a plenty in the mortal world, but he had never been bedded by someone...in this manner and he was nervous.  He knew Abigor would never hurt him, but he felt anxious.

The door to Alorin's cell opened and Grunnark and two large demons entered, the Slave Master looked down at where the Angelic laid and he grinned holding up a parchment.

"Seems your Master General Abigor has seen fit to give you a pretty new name my lovely!" He chuckled.

Alorin just looked boredly at him and then back at the stone ceiling.

"Already have a name you fat son of a sow.....don't need another!" came the soft reply.

Grunnark was unphased by the name calling and shook his head.

"From now on you are Pharzuph....what a name huh.....do you know our language my pretty....you know what it means?"

Alorin did speak their foul language and he did know what that word meant or had connotations to and he boiled inside with anger but he would not show it.

"As my recollection of your foul language goes....it means 'Lust' in the sense of fornication...right!" He sneered.

Grunnark nodded.

"That it does....it is what sits on the plaque outside your cell....and I wager when the Lords get to see you fight it is what they will feel....you are a handsome thing....more so when I have branded you with your mark!"

He took a step back rolling up the parchment.

"Now you can come easy or my men here will drag you to the Branding Room...what will it be my pretty?"

Alorin slowly rose and smiled.

"I never do anything easily!" He said lashing out with his fist to the nearest demon!

Grunnark had been expecting this sort of retaliation and he gave a sharp whistle and more huge demons barrelled through the cell door.  He watched as the Angelic fought, he was fearless, he gave him that, he did not care about the odds it seemed, this one lived to battle.

Finally he was overwhelmed and placed in chains and dragged down to the Branding Room, Grunnark had some brands ready in the brazier but he now had to think on how to get the accursed creature to retract his armour.  Had he been collared with out it present then he would not be able to call on it, but Lord Abigor had collared him whilst in full armour.

"I don't suppose you are going to disappear that armour are you?" Grunnark said softly.

"You suppose right." Alorin said spitting blood onto the sandy floor.

Grunnark gestured with his hand and a thin figure was led into the room.

"We caught this one some years back, but no-one claimed him as a fighter so he does menial work round here....we call him Soral but I understand his name was Temerial."

Alorin took the thin emaciated figure in, there were scars on his back, just where his wings should have been, he had been whipped mercilessly and maltreated....he had known Temerial, a lieutenant in the heavenly army.

"Retract the armour Pharzuph...or Soral here will be the one that suffers the punishment." Grunnark said quietly lifting a white hot poker from the fire.

The broken silvery eyes of the slave known as Soral looked to Alorin and recognition flickered in them and he spoke in a tired cracked voice.

"General.....please.....I can take no more."

Alorin's eyes met Soral's with pity and compassion.

"Forgive me Temerial....If I do this then they start to win....I cannot."

The scream of the slave as the poker hissed into his flesh at the side of his thigh was like a wounded animal, high and keening, Alorin steeled himself, it was going to a long night.

Abigor and Kora had talked of all that was needed and necessary.  They walked the grounds as well after a bit.  Passing the courtyard and heading for the pits, to the branding room.  As they arrived a thrill coursed through the general at the tortured screams of a slave.  Once there he was a little disappointed the screams were those of a weathered and worn Slave and not of his. Pharzuph.



Grunnark though seemed to be handling the situation perfectly.  A low grumble escaped his lips as his dark smile flashed with exactly what he had named the slave, lust.  He also made no attempt to hide it from anyone. 


"Isn't this a curious sight my fellow demons."  The hot poker gave the needed slave a moment's rest.  The poor thing exhausted from all the torture limply leaned on the cold stone wall.  "The so called heavenly noble just simply allowing a fellow like being to be physically abused as he sits by and watches.  Tsk, tsk, tsk.  Mankind should see their revered mongrel and they maybe they would know as we do of your own debauchery.  Your own selfishness.  Your own lust....yes lust to save yourself.  The good of mankind!"  He snarled with his cruel smile and spat in the Angelics face.  He had walked the small area getting closer to Pharzuph.

He let just his talons show as he raised his hand and walked from his slave to the tortured one.  His claw of his middle digit went to the side of his face.  He traced a bead of sweat down past his chest.  "I am in the mood for some branding of my own Grunnark."  He stroked the slave's body as if he were caressing a lover.  "I was told this one is useful when needs just must be seen too."  He smiled again that lecherous one as he stood up and pulled the slave to its wobbly feet.  "I think if I am not wrong that if the slave is of angelic descent it is always as sweet as the first time.  And always as painful."  It was a twisted smile and his laughter was just as sick.  He could see the fear in the slave's eyes but it only spurred him on. 


As a demon part of their gift to corrupt is a mental venom that slowly suffuses the entire being, and begins to slowly transform mind and body. The thrall like venom augmented a target's entire nervous system, increasing its firing rate and decreasing its activation threshold as it also slowly alters the pain receptors so that their signals would be interpreted by the target's brain as pleasure. For demons when used on one another this only increases for them as it is normal for pain to induce pleasure, most demons use this on the weak mortals they mount. It is something they can use and it is controlled by the demon so it can be taken away at anytime should they want the target to suffer as well.  It is a mental game...but one if used properly can bring much satisfaction to a demon both sexually and mentally. 

Abigor was using it on the slave.  So when his claw cut the flesh what should have been a cry of pain was a moan of lustful pleasure.  The salve's knew what was happening as did its self consciousness but it was powerless in this realm to stop it.  "Seems he likes to play Pharzuph."  He cut deeper into the flesh of the slave and with every cut the poor creature moaned as if he was pleasuring himself.  It's body reacting to Abigor's thrall over him.  Trickles of body were marking and staining its body as Abigor's long demonic tongue traced over the wounds and lapped it up.  "Lovely flavor.  Just a delicate essence." 

The general continued to use the slave it had it withering in his hands like a common harlot.  It seemed to beg for the pain.  Abigor ordered the demons holding Pharzuph to force him to watch the entire thing.  When he was finished he walked over to his slave.  "I shall enjoy the day I get to watch others do to you as I have to your friend.  I remember him too.  In about five minutes his climax will recede and he will now be in such excruciating pain his cries will echo in your nightmares for years to come.  Remember you had the power to stop that but choose not.  What was it you said?   Less we win?  Or some such foolishness.  I should thank you though for you gift of letting me have one of your kind.  I so love the mounting of Angelics even enslaved ones."


What he did was more of a dominant action it had nothing to do with the pleasure he sought from willing demons and mortals.  Nothing like what he would share with Sabre.  This was purely to show dominance. 


Abigor turned to Grunnark "carry on..."  He smiled at the pit master.  He could tell the torture was going to be a long one.


Kora and Abigor left the pits and headed back towards the castle. 

Alorin had remained silent throughout Tamariel's torture by Abigor, he had been forced to watch it all but he did so without a flicker of emotion.  It was evident that Tam was not long for this existence, he was dying, slowly but he was dying, Alorin knew he would not see the night through at this rate.

He felt truly for the lieutenant, he really did but if he retracted his armour then they would brand him, and once in, with the collar on, he would not be able to call on it again.  He could scent Tam's fear, this was like burnt bread, a terrible scent, true fear.

His fixed his silvery gaze on the tortured Angelic and spoke levelly and softly in their own language.

"I know you hurt Tam, but I cannot give in to them, soon you will be dead and you will be released, I am sorry brother....truly I am....but if I am to prevail here it must be so!"

Tam's own silver eyes alighted on the General, he hurt so much, what the demon had done to him had felt good...but now it hurt so very much.

"Let me die Alorin....please let it end." He whispered back in Angelic.

Alorin nodded slowly, he would hold fast, Tam knew the end was near....the demons would fail with this tactic.

Sabre paced nervously back and forth across his room and for some reason the conversation he had so long ago with Kora came to the fore front of his mind.  Kora had explained what was expected of demonkind to him a conversation he should have had with his father or Ana but that had been sadly missing.  He sometimes wondered whether he was a completely normal demon, sometimes his actions dictated otherwise, other times they were what one might have expected.

He came to rest in front of the window and saw Kora and Abigor down below and he bit his lip anxiously.  Was Abigor coming up here now?  He did not know what he should do?  How should he act?  For the second time in his life Sabre was actually scared, the only other time had been when he was abducted by the Fifth Ring, other than that he had always been so self assured.

He reached and poured a goblet of wine, his hand shaking....Kora had always been attuned to his feelings....would he sense it?  For all his words and bluster and bravado Sabre was still a little intimidated by Abigor, he gave as good as he got in banter and such the like.....but this.....the wine slopped onto the table and he swore.

Abigor and Kora walked together until reaching the front gates.   There the friends parted.  Kora smiled softly, it had been a long time coming for his friends and although he could sense King Sabre's apprehension he knew it was natural and would ease once he was with Abigor.

Abigor went to his quarters to wash up and change before heading to the King's Chambers.  He bathed and changed into a dark purple tunic and gray breeches.  He doned soft black leather boots and combed his hair and left it down.

Once refreshed Abigor went the back way to Saber's quarters.   He knocked and entered. 

The sight of Sabre took his breath away.  His breathing quickened just looking at Sabre, he was a picture of beauty.  His looks raveled that of the Angelic slave they just caught.  "You are like a dream come true."  He whispered almost afraid by speaking the moment would end.

Abigor was nervous and he had never been before.  They had waited so long for this now that it was here he did not want to rush it.  Stepping closer he smiled and poured himself a goblet of the wine.  "There is no rush anymore Sabre.  It is just you and I.  Let us sit and talk until the shock of being free wares off."  He nodded and raised his glass to Sabre in toast.

Sabre sat down opposite Abigor and sipped at his drink.

"How goes it with the slave?" He asked softly.

His hand holding the goblet was trembling slightly, he was nervous, unsure what Abigor would want.  After all he had been the one to invite the General here, would Abigor expect them to bed tonight?

"Abigor......I...I am a little nervous." He said finally.

After all the talk and teasing it was still his first time and he was scared, his moonlight hair fell boyishly across his face, his cheeks delicately flushed from the wine as he lowered his eyes so as not to meet Abigor's admiring looks at him.

The general leaned over and brushed the King's hair from his face.  "I am too Sabre." Abigor let his fingers trace the side of his King's face.   "But, we do not need to rush this Sabre.  We are here now and we are together.  There is no need to hide how we feel and no reason to rush."  He smiled softly into the dark lovely eyes.  "We don't have to do anything.  What I want most is to just be here with you."

His heart was pounding.  Part of him hungered for the King and wanted nothing more than to ravish him completely.  Yet he couldn't their first time.  No, the first time needed to be one of love. 

All those years he had thought of this moment.  He let his hand drop to Sabre's and let his thumb trace small circles over his hand.  "I won't hurt you Sabre.  I would rather hurt myself first.  So let us just speak of other things.  Get our mind off that big inviting bed."  He winked and gave a chuckle to ease the tension.

Sabre smiled tentatively at first and the as Abigor joked he relaxed a little and eased back, enjoying the soft touch to his hand as the general traced the small circles.

"Thank you." He said softly.

So he turned talk to things other than love play, he asked his initial question again.

"So this new slave of yours, I wager he is proving hard to break." He mused.

He knew Abigor had been to the Pit and what had transpired, if the Angelic did not respond to one of his own being hurt, perhaps it needed to be closer to home.

"Why don't you take Jelenis down there, a little family visit....raise the stakes Gor, perhaps he may be more co-operative if you threaten Jelenis.  The boy does fear so well with his big silver eyes and sweetness."

He knew Abigor would like to do such a thing, he felt it.

"Don't you hurt him too much though.....despite losing his innocence to Gen'Pi he is still so pure, so much more to be discovered." He whispered softly.

It felt instantly more relaxed with their easy banter returning.  Abigor desire was no less heightened just wasn't the only thing they were discussing.  This way if it happened it would be natural...not forced...not fake.

Abigor told Sabre what had taken place within the pits though he knew the King already knew everything.  He wanted to get Sabre opinion and his ideas.  Which the king did.  He offered something nearer to the Angelics heart...his nephew.

"You are right about the boys silvery eyes.  It is enough to break the will of an angle."  He chuckled.  "I am not sure that young man would live if I did to him what happened today in the pit.  I truly think it would kill him.  And while I make no excuses for myself you know I would delight in doing nothing more than killing that weak and pathetic half blood, I won't.  But I think bring him to the pits and having the other slave hoot and cry for him will shake his very core."

Sabre smiled, it was a cruel and wicked smile, he was feeling more himself.

"No Gor....think creatively....I seem to recall you threatening Jelenis back at the Fortress." He said softly.

"Threaten to use him...no venom...nothing else just the act, the words themselves will be enough, have him held over a table, rip down his breeches yourself, all in front of the Angelic.  Sweet Jelenis will sob and beg you not too...it will be enough to tug at the heart of his only family."

He reached out to stroke the General's face, his dark eyes glittering.

"You know Jelenis fears you....but deep down I think he has a guilty secret thrill for your darkness....who would not."

Sabre knew what to say and just how to get a reaction from the General.  He made a low throaty growl of pleasure at the image the King gave to him.  Sabre wicked smile eliciting one of his own.

"Ahhhh, yes.  He does whimper and plea so sweetly.  In fact if I may say so the act of the boy begging me not to hurt him satisfies something inside me.  Like when I whipped him.  I felt as much as he was hurting and ashamed a part of him thrilled at it.  I could smell the hint of arousal within him and I am not sure he understood it or not but it was pleasurable for me.  Something I would delight in again if given the chance."

He leaned back the speaking of such things exciting him as he looked into Sabre dark and sultry eyes.  Abigor's own eyes a mirror of the desire burning within.

"It will be sweet to watch the angelic's face.  As I rip his breeches off.  The thought of the agony the boy might endure may be enough to get him to relent.  Would you mind if we kept Jelenis present for the uncle's removal of his armor and branding?"

He began to softly move his fingers over Sabre's entire arm.  He couldn't help himself!  Abigor leaned in and gently pressed his lips to the King's.  It was a soft but passionate kiss.  One filled with desire, love, and want.

Sabre was just about to say that Abigor could do as he wished with Jelenis when the kiss came and he submitted to it, just like he had in the corridor that night. It was as perfect as he remembered it to be.  They broke apart and Sabre gave a soft smile.

"I was about to give you permission to do as you please with regards to Jelenis and letting him watch the humbling of his uncle....but you distracted me." He mused.

Abigor's light touch to his arm made his belly tingle deep within and he lowered his eyes.

"I thought we were talking General.  This feels more like something else."

He felt it, Abigor's desire, and he would be lying if he said he did not feel it to, Abigor said he would never hurt him, he promised.

Sabre allowed himself to be led towards the bed, he felt as if he were in a dream as the robe was slowly pushed over his shoulders.

He was trembling and closed his eyes as he felt another kiss to his skin.

The night would be long....and by morning his last innocence would be given to Lord Abigor, General of the Tenth.

Abigor sighed softly and stroked his loves moonlit hair.  Taking a deep breath and filling his senses with Sabre.  "I have never in all my years met another who stirred my senses as you love."  He gently kissed the top of his head and his arms encircled him drawing Sabre closer.

Then he felt Sabre tremble and Abigor rumbled softly.  "How did I ever get so lucky as to convince you to love me?  I have never been faithful to you and now that we are here I feel ashamed.  You have remained true while I have taken what and who I wanted.  Can you forgive me Sabre?"

His emotions were laid out for the King. 

"Sabre, I am a fool!"

Before he could withdraw his mind from the place they were at, Abigor's arms were around him, as sure and hard as on that fateful night in the corridor so long ago. He felt again the rush of helplessness, the sinking yielding, the surging tide of warmth that left him limp yet hard. And the quiet face of King Sabre was blurred and drowned by the pounding of his heart. He bent back Sabre's head across his arm and kissed him, softly at first, and then with a swift gradation of intensity that made him cling to Sabre as the only solid thing in a dizzy swaying world. His insistent mouth was parting his shaking lips, sending wild tremors along his nerves, evoking from im sensations Abigor had never known even he was capable of feeling. And before a swimming giddiness spun them round and round, he felt as if Sabre was kissing him back.

"Stop–please, I'm not worthy of you Sabre!"  He whispered, trying to turn his head weakly from the King. He pressed Sabre's head back hard against his shoulder and Abigor had a dizzy glimpse of his face. His eyes were wide and blazing queerly and the tremor in his arms frightened Abigor.

"I want to make you mine. I will make youmine. You've had this coming to you for years. None of the fools you've known have kissed you like this–have they? Your precious little Queen or ar any other –"

Abigor's mouth sort Sabre's and kissed him with a raw passion.


"I said your stupid Queen. Any and all–what do they know about you? What did they know about you? I know you.  I have been the only one who had known you Sabre....we are one...you are mine and I am yours."  With that he kissed him with a passion never before shown.  His hands roamed all over Sabre's body.  "Let me disrobe you my love."

Sabre was scared at the intensity that Abigor showed the depth of his need, the forcefulness of his kiss.  Never had he ever been with someone like this, not Flori....not anyone, it had only ever been females, he had saved himself for Abigor.

He was trembling...in most respects with regard to what was happening here he was a virgin.  Of course he had kissed and been with females but this....this was something new and the power of it shook him down to his foundations.  He felt as if he could not speak and he mutely nodded his head at Abigor's request to disrobe him.

Every rune he possessed glowed intensely, their light becoming a deep violet filling the room with the odd light.  A memory came back to him, one he thought he had blocked...suppressed....from his time as a young man....his time at the Temple.  The High Priest, clawing at him, trying to force his kiss, the Runes glowing intensely like they were now.  The memory of being forced back against the bed, and then a scream of pain, not his....the High Priest, a deep hiss of pain as he was blinded by the light and Sabre had run.....from the chamber....from the Temple......

"Abigor Stop!" He said in a choked whisper.

Then the light of the Runes glowed harder.

"ABIGOR STOP PLEASE!"

He backed away at first pained by the scream.  He remembered.  That awful evening so long ago.  He could see the confusion and pain in Sabre's eyes.  It took all he had to not reach out and embrace him again.  Instead he let one of his hands brush softly over Sabre's arm.  "It will be okay Sabre.  I won't take you in fear.  I'll never do what he did.  Never."  He made no move to push Sabre.  He knew that would only make things worse.

"Do you fear that the same will happen to me?"  He surmised the bitter memories causing Sabre pain and that he may inflict the same onto the General.  "Remember Sabre I am content just being with you.  I'll never push you into more and if it never comes so be it.  What we share far surpasses the flesh."  His voice was choked with emotion, with pain, longing, and most of all love.

Sabre looked to Abigor with wide dark eyes, his chest heaving with emotion.

"Gor....I thought I was going to hurt you....I cannot control when this happens like I could not control it that night." He sobbed.

"I want to be with you....but I think it will take time, let us take things slowly." He choked in a whisper.

"It was obviously weaker in the World of Mortals for we kissed as passionately there did we not...."

He came to huddle himself against the strong powerful form of the General.

"I am ashamed." He said quietly.

"I kept something from you...from everyone....I should tell you."

He looked into Abigor's purple eyes.

"If you hate me for it I understand....but I want there to be no secrets."

He broke the gaze and stared down at the coverlet on the bed.

"When my mother carried me....my father fed her Angelic blood, my power comes from Demon and Angel....I found out....my father made it clear I was never to speak of it...I am tainted Gor....and I am ashamed."

Angelic blood?  What?  He was? No, no!  Not...  He dropped his hand and took a step back.  He furthered the space.  His father fed angelic blood to his mother? 

His purple eyes darkened almost like he was confused.  "Does Master Zenethor know this?  How did you find out?  And why have you kept this from me?  How can I trust you Sabre knowing that you kept such a secret?"  He took another step away from Sabre.  Pain and distrust flashing before his eyes.  "I've shared everything of myself with you.  I owe my very life to you and you keep such a thing from me?  The one who is sworn to protect you."  He began to shake with pent up emotions.  "I put my life on hold, I fought so many battles to free you from the fifth.  I guess now it makes sense why you can't kill Jelenis.  Maybe you should see if he will be able to handle your light.  Perhaps he is who you wanted all along."

He turned and walked toward the door, the main door.  "I've given you everything Sabre, everything.  I kept your kingdom afloat and this is how I am repaid with lies and false promises."  Something he had never felt before ripped at his chest.  He couldn't explain the feeling.  "I wish to be alone.  Please don't call for me.  I will have Kora come and watch over you."

He left the room and instructed one of the guards to have Kora brought around for the King.  He was confused and needed time to processes what the king just told him.

Sabre looked as Abigor backed away from him like he was diseased, his dark eyes tear filled with pain.

"It was not my fault.....I did not ask for that!" But he was gone, he hated him now and in that moment Sabre wanted to die.

He did not want Jelenis, he never wanted that, he loved Abigor, he always had, there had never been anyone else.

He heard Kora out in the Ante Room but he did not want to see him, he just wanted to die, Abigor's face, that look of disgust  played over and over in his mind.   He turned and grabbed a long cloak and pulled it over himself.  With a soft whisper he opened a portal and stepped within, he would go....he would not pollute the castle with his tainted filthy magic....nor would he ever see Abigor again.

There were places in the Tenth that were secret, he could hide.

Abigor could have the Kingdom, he made it very clear how he had fought for it, he was worthy....let him have it.

With a flash of violet light and a clap of thunder he vanished.

At the sound Kora heard coming from within he broke the door down but by that time only soft purple lights fragments remand and Sabre was nowhere to be found.  He shivered in fear.  He had read of such magic and it just proved how very powerful his king really was.  He turned, closed and locked the door.  "No one is to go in until I return with General Abigor and Master Zenethor, do you understand?"

The guard nodded and stood as appointed.

Kora ran through the corridors.  But Abigor was not in his room, nor in the war room, or study.  His mind screamed for him and Ulric to come at once.  As he made his way to Master Zenethor.

With a knock he waited just outside the master's door.

Ulric heard the panic cry of Kora and without a moment hesitation he dressed and with sure footing made it to the castle.  He called to Kora and said he was almost there.

Abigor heard Kora but he had no desire to return.  His hurt turning to anger.  How could Sabre keep that from him?  Why had he never told him?  When had he learned of it?  Did he know his entire life or did he only just find out about it and if so how?  He kept seeing the pained look in Sabre's eyes and he wished he could have just held him and say it didn't matter but the truth was it did.  It matter very much.  Maybe this is why the fifth took him.  Or not?  That fucking little brat Jelenis.  That half breed whore.  Is that who Sabre truly wanted one of his own kind?  His anger only mounted as he shut out the panicked cries of Kora.  How did he not see it though, really Sabre's beauty was far beyond anything he ever encountered.  Or would in this realm. 

He walked to the gardens and just tried to come to terms with the realization that Sabre had Angelic blood.  He wasn't a demon, he wasn't and angelic so then what was he?

All those years he served that stupid brat and now when he could have his revenge he forbid them too!  Abigor couldn't get it out of his mind.   He looked up at the tower that held the half bastard prisoner.  Then he thought of the angelic scum they held as a slave.  His breathing increased.  Hate seeped from every pore.  So the angelic wouldn't remove his armor at the rape and beating of his own kind, maybe he needed something closer to home?  Maybe seeing his poor defenseless bastard nephew raped would change his mind?  It wouldn't be like taking his innocence they all knew now how willing a partner the bastard price was.  With rage filling his entire mind and the unfulfilled desires left on tended Abigor was thinking strictly demon.  As he made his way to where Jelenis was being kept. 

He had never not heeded an order from a king, not Sabre's father nor Sabre up until this moment.  But he was about to.  He wouldn't kill the little bastard but he was going to suffer.  The demon needed release and he needed a violent one at that.

The thunderclap caused Zenethor to look up from the parchment he was writing, it was a portal closing, no-one was due to leave....so who had cast it?

He went out into the corridor and looked about...he needed to speak to Abigor, he had a feeling that a terrible thing had happened.  The scent of the magic was familiar, the tendrils of it pervaded the castle.  The Prince's magic had been unique, its signature unmistakable.

"Sabre." He whispered.

"What in all the Rings has happened!" He growled.

He grabbed a passing servant.

"Find Abigor and send him to me at once!"

Kora saw Master Zenethor and rushed to him.  "Master!  King Sabre...vanished.  General Abigor won't answer my calls..." 

He was cut short as Ulric came  in as the servant ran past to do Master Zenethor's bidding.

"What has happened Kora?  King Sabre?  Is he hurt?"  He looked around but oddly the general was no where to be seen.  "Where is Abigor?"

Kora looked down.  "Abigor refuses to answer me and King Sabre created a portal, all I saw upon my entry to his room where some specks of violet light."

When the portal re-opened Sabre stepped out onto a ledge on a mountainside.  The range was on the border of the Tenth Ring and to the front of him stood a cave mouth.  Hanging up in the entrance were wind chimes made of bone, glass and metal, he remembered them, he had been here once before as a small boy, his father had bought him.  He was glad for the cloak over the top of the robe he had been wearing when with Abigor, it was cold here, the wind whistled mournfully through the passes.

Sabre stepped forward and cleared his voice, it was better to announce himself he thought.

"Grandmother.....it is I.....Saberion." He called out firmly.

A voice called back from the depths of the cave, old yet firm.

"Come in.....I have been expecting you Son of my Daughter."

Sabre stepped into the stygian darkness and the peered into the back of the cave where he could see a fire, some rudimentary furniture and a figure sat hunched close to a cooking pot.

"Come forward boy....I have not seen you in an eternity not since you were tiny....I would see the man you have become, see you....see if I see her in you."

Sabre slowly stepped into the light of the fire and the figure shuffled forward and used a stick to push back the hood of his cloak and cackled.

"Oh My....Yes....you are like her indeed, I though none would ever rival my girl....but you....I think have!"

Sabre gave a wry smile.

"Thank you Grandmother" He watched as the tiny crone shuffled back to her seat and he came to sit on a stool near her."

"You know why I have come....the answers I need....I think you have them......please." He said softly.

"What am I?"

The old woman tilted her head and stirred the pot in front of her and muttered softly to herself before fixing her rheumy gaze on her grandson.

"Don't you know?"

Sabre took a breath trying to show patience, but he was tired, he was hurting and he was in no mood for games.

"My father fed my mother Angelic blood when she carried me......does that make me a half breed?"

The woman cackled with laughter.

"Yer father was a demon.....yer mother was a demon....feeding you blood does not make you a half 'Gel!"

She banged the spoon on the pot in her merriment.

"Silly boy.....how many times did yer father run you through the purification tests.....half a dozen I wager.....and you passed every time too I bet! No....you are a pure demon child of my daughter!"

Sabre closed his eyes....Grandmother would never lie about that...so he was a demon.

"It's yer power boy....a cohesion of both Demon and 'Gel, more power than yer father's father....more powerful than the priests...none can stand against you and come off winning...you are the spoken of....what the Books told of....the one that can open portals to their place if needed...the wager of war on the 'Gels...but of full demon blood."

Sabre's eyes snapped open as she spoke, this was new...what books....he had not seen these books she had spoken of.

"Where are these books?" He said quietly.

She quietened her mirth and shook her head.

"Hidden....not fer you....but why are you here boy....what made you come and seek?"

Sabre swallowed.

"I shared that terrible secret with the one I love and he now despises me....I left because I could no longer stay Grandmother...can I stay here....for a while at least."

The old woman reached out and touched his moonlight silk hair and she smiled.

"As long as you like pretty....and we will talk more of it....but for now some stew....and rest I think!"

Jelenis was huddled under his blankets resting almost peacefully for the first time since he had been here.  He had seen Gen and they had spoken and made plans, they would run away together and escape.  Perhaps he might make it to the Fifth and find Bel and Trayder and introduce them to Gen'Pi.

Down below he could hear voices and alarms, but he ignored them...he just wanted to dream about Genni.  None had hurt him hear on Sabre's orders, the demon could be cruel and wicked at times but others he could be reasonable, and perhaps this was one of those times.

Sabre ate the bowl of stew pushed before him, it was coarse and nothing like the castle food but he was hungry and he ate it.  The old female demon watched him as he delicately spooned the food and she shook her head.

"Pretty thing....pretty manners...yer mother was like you....they came from far and wide to seek her hand...they fought battles for her....killed each other for her." She said between mouthfuls of her own stew.

"She had hair like starlight and dark eyes....she was a temptress, a succubus to rule all succubi, your father won her, he stole her away and got her full in her belly with you.  She came to see me just the once while she carried you...told me what yer father was doing. Birthing you cost my girl her life...but she knew it would." She said a little more quietly.

Sabre went to speak but she held up one gnarled hand and silenced him.

"If I blamed yer boy....you would not be sitting there, you have had it hard....now tell me of this lover of yers....if he truly did love yer then he would know that you ain't a half 'Gel....he could not see it because of his own blind anger and rage...he saw what he wanted to see...nothin' more."

Sabre closed his eyes, Abigor's face coming back to him.

"I disgusted him....I wanted him so very badly but the power and Runes flared violet white I was scared I would harm him....how could I do that to him whom I love more than anything."

The old woman shook her head.

"You were scared I bet...were gonna let him have you for the first time....t'is natural....a virgin being scared.....yer body just reacted....you are an Incubus you were bred for such things.  Bet he is a powerful demon too, you doubted yerself, let fears overtake yer...old fears... but you control yer power...it does not control you boy!"

Sabre swallowed, his chest tight and his throat constricted.

"He hates me...and I cannot go back....they will all turn from me...I need your help Grandmother...I need to remove the Ithior Rune.....he can no longer be connected to me...I will not force him to endure that shame day in and day out."

The old woman narrowed her eyes.

"Sleep on that decision Sabre....we will talk more in the morning." She said setting her bowl down.

Zenethor stood in his study flanked by Kora and Ulric but Abigor was still absent, they were none the wiser to what had happened other than Sabre had left and Abigor was silent and responding to none of them.

"Did you notice anything Kora...anything, you had the King's room sealed off after you saw the lights for a reason....speak!" He said firmly.

The fact that Abigor was deliberately ignoring them all did not bode well, what ever had transpired between the pair was serious.

"Kora....Abigor went to the King after leaving you, what was the King's mood, you feel him to a degree as his closest friend."

He gestured to another servant.

"Fetch Ana from the Queen's chambers, she might know where Sabre would go. The boy must have had places he went....perhaps she knows."

Grandmother had pointed to where Sabre could sleep, a makeshift bed in the furthest corner of the cave.

"My home is warded boy....if any come a looking they will not find us here!" She said as she watched him arrange the rags into some semblance of  a sleeping arrangement.

"Thank You Grandmother." He said as he laid down wrapped in his cloak still.

"All you got is that fancy robe beneath and that cloak?" Grandmother said raising her eyebrow.

Sabre smiled briefly.

"I kind of left in a hurry...I will remedy it in the morning."  He turned over to face the wall feeling strangely tired.

The old demoness shook her head.

"Time to rest fer you....sleep deeply boy...my potions are strong and old....you need to rest and collect yer thoughts!"

Meridior, the mother of Sabre's mother, was a powerful demoness in her own right, may be the most powerful in all of the Rings with the exception of her grandson who now lay before her.  She had watched his trials over the years and she knew what he was....he was not what any of them thought him.....he was so much more.  The other Rings had dabbled in this magic and failed....she knew the King of the Fifth had bedded an Angelic thinking that was the solution, he had been wrong.....it was never in the breeding.....it was in the power.

Sabre was Shar'unitor the one that had been written of in the Books.

He was not just Demon but a pure blood demon, he was a far cry from Angelic.....his power though a corruption of both, he could use both, combine both.....he was very special.

He stormed through the corridor his eyes hard, cold, his breathing ragged.  He was filled with hurt, shame, anger, and desire for revenge.

Poor Jelenis was his target.  The one he saw as the culprit.  The one who stole his love from him. 

The guards were unsure what to do when they saw him coming.  He was the general, but the King said no harm was to come to the prisoner.  Yet by the look on the General's face that was exactly what was going to happen to Jelenis.

"Out of my way Henu!!!"  Abigor's voice was low and angry as his purple eyes flashed sparks of pain.

"B-b-but....King....the-the King said n-n-noooooo one was to...."  Henu's voice was laced with fear. 

"I won't tell you again Henu." With that the powerful general pushed the demon out of his way.  He banged the door open and the female guard inside just stepped to the side. 

He growled.  It was a low and raw sound.  His eyes on the half breed.  "Get up Prince."  He sneered at the boy.  "You're coming with me."  The cell door flew open and the massive demon entered and yanked the boy from the bed.  He tossed him on his shoulder like he was nothing.  He headed out of the cell and into the corridor.

"You think you are protected!  You think you are special don't you half breed."  He laughed but it was a chilling evil laugh.  "Well, I have a surprise for you!  It turns out your whore mother had a brother.  Yes you have an uncle.  He came to save you, but he was too late wasn't he Jelenis."  Again that evil laugh.  !I plan to show him just how late he was.  And how you are just like your mother.  Spreading your legs for any who wish to please themselves with your body.  Well, now I plan to show your uncle just how sinful you truly are!" 

He couldn't even see young Naya who was off in an alcove.  She had to stop this madness!  She had to stop him from hurting the Prince!  Where was the King!  What had happened!

Jelenis had been half asleep when Abigor had strode in and bodily yanked him from his bed.  He gave a cry of pain and then was slung like a sack of potatoes over the demon's shoulder.  His wicked words filled him with fear and dread and he wriggled and cried trying to free himself from Abigor's grip.

"The King promised that I would be treated as a prisoner under the Accords.  Let go of me you monster....you evil brute!" He sobbed.

Then came the revelation of family, an uncle that had come to save him from this place.

"Where is my uncle....what did you do to him?" He screamed.

When Abigor fully revealed his plan the young man struggled even more.  The General planned to rape him in front of his uncle, he was going to make up stories that he was some sort of wanton slut for the taking...that he liked it...wanted it.

"I won't let you....I did what I did with Genni because we love each other....and then only because it was a trick....I hate you......I HATE YOU!" He sobbed.

"Where is King Sabre....he would not allow this...he has honour for a demon....he acts under your stupid laws!"

Zenethor sat Kora and Ulric down in his study as they waited for Ana to arrive, he looked sternly to Kora.

"You have magical abilities that are strong Kora, can you scry for the Prince, can you  see where he is?" He asked.

It was unlikely that Kora would be able to see him, if Sabre did not want to be found no amount of looking would find him, but it was worth a go.

"Just try to relax,  focus on the King, reach out with your magic to find him."

Grunnark had taken the Angelic back to his cell after hours of trying to force him to retract his armour.  The stubborn brute was immovable, he had seen his own kind tortured and raped, he had been beaten, tormented, taunted and still he was like a rock.  In the end Grunnark had become exasperated and had him removed so that he himself might go and get some food and drink...the Angelic was denied both until he was more co-operative.

Alorin sat back in his cell, his back against the wall facing the door, blood dripped slowly from a wound on his head and bruises were evident about his wrists, neck and face.  He would not do it, he would not voluntarily retract the armour, he felt terrible for what had happened to Tam, but he was not long for life....the beatings he had received were no worse than any fight he had gotten into.

General Abigor would not get his satisfaction in making him a lowly fighting slave.

High up in the mountain cave Sabre slept, the deep sleep induced by the potion Meridior had put into his stew. He dreamed though, that terrible moment over and over as Abigor looked at him as though he were the enemy, the lowest of them all.  Then came the pain when he accused him of wanting Jelenis more than him.  The relationship he had with the Prince of the Fifth was complicated, one since the boy had been bought squalling into the world of mortals.  He Bel and Trayder and been tied to the boy through the magic of the King of the Fifth....old magic, it had taken time for Sabre to chip away at it and by the time he finally broke it the King had been killed and the spell broke anyway.

Oh he disliked Jelenis at times, the boy had been altogether too superior thinking him far below him, but Jelenis had not know who Sabre actually was.  Bel and Trayder had been assigned to him since his captured from the Tenth.  General Belisarius had been his jailer, Trayder was Bel's  faithful lieutenant and they had been on strict orders to treat the King's prisoner with respect.  He was never beaten....nor was he abused by any.  He was given clothes, a warm and comfortable room, decent food, books and anything else he asked for to while away his time until they were tied to the child.

This was what he had tried to do for Jelenis when he had come home, though above in the world of mortals it had all failed miserably.  He had taken his anger out on Jelenis, his spite, he had hurt him to entice and please Flori, seen him used by Gen,Pi to satisfy an odd need when Abigor had arrived.

It all came back to Abigor, oh he loved him, more than anything in the world, he had given them both the Ithior to let Abigor feel the depths of that love.  Even that was not enough now, the Ithior did not lie and only a demon could wear such a Rune.  It had become apparent early that Jelenis could not wear Runes when Sabre had tried in all helpfulness to draw one upon him.  Each time the mark just vanished and Jelenis was none the more powerful.  Sabre felt the anger and pain of the General even now....the jealousy....the hatred.

Meridior sat and watched as her grandson tossed and turned on his makeshift bed, tears on his velvet cheeks.  Saberion was in pain...his heart truly broken by this lover that had rejected him.  The old demoness shuffled to the far reaches at the back of her cave where a natural bowl form of rock sat, water trickled down the wall to fall into the depths of it, making ripples each time a droplet fell.  She cast her hand over it and stared into the mirror  and a figure appeared, he was handsome with his flowing black hair and purple eyes which flared angrily.  He was carrying a young man half clad in a sleeping shirt over his shoulder.  The boy struggled and tried to free himself...his silvery eyes wide with fear....no mistaking that boy...half Angelic, the son of the Fifth. Her attention turned back to the Demon, Abigor, she had watched this one for a long time, full of anger and fury.  She shook her head, she would not help Saberion remove the Ithior, it was the only thing that would let Abigor truly feel the truth once he had calmed his temper.

That poor boy of the Fifth was in for a hard time, the object and focus for Abigor's rage.  She would not dabble in events such as these.  Her focus was Sabre for now...broken hearts were the hardest to heal.

Jelenis continued to struggle, a slight figure compared to the size and muscle of the demon that carried him.

"Let me go!" He cried.

"You say you love Sabre....and yet you defy him....ignore his orders!"

He was terrified, he had only ever been with Gen'Pi and then only the once, the thought of what this monster was planning to do to him filled him with dread, the thought of the violation and the ensuing pain was too much to contemplate.

"General Abigor.....please let me go!" He sobbed.

"I beg you not to hurt me...please don't!  I do not know what has happened but it is not my fault!"

The General was halfway through the courtyard when he paused.  Jelenis had said he loved Sabre, said he did.  But he could not remember ever telling this half breed he loved the King.  This unsettled him.  Why would he even say anything to him?  He growled.


"Who or what I love has nothing to do with you half breed.  Or with the punishment you will finally receive." 

He picked up his pace and headed onward.  The bastard!  "Now keep your mouth shut!"

His grip got tighter.  He was blinded by rage.  His breathing escalating he was trying not to transform, a small part knew if he did the boy would probably not live through it.  But by the unworldly he was beyond angry!

This brat held his love prisoner for 18 years!   He needed to pay! 

Most of the demons in the court shied away.

All except one.

She was strong, maybe stronger than most.  She had her flaws.  But this was something she flew back for.  Abigor needed a strong adversary to back him down.  She landed a few feet in front of him making him stop. 

"Go put him back General!  You know this is wrong!"  Viola was just as obstinate.

He hissed and his talons pierced the boys flesh but just slightly.  " Get out of my way!"  He raged!!!

Another figure appeared in the courtyard and stood observing the tableau.  Kora had not been able to locate Sabre which was of no surprise given the King's power.  Zenethor watched as the feisty Viola faced down the furious Abigor and his prisoner.  The Prince of the Fifth was naught but a weak half breed child with none of the power needed to rule. Sabre should have cut the boy loose and come home the Fifth were a broken kingdom now....leaderless.  He understood why Abigor would want revenge on this young man, but it was not a fair fight...the most Jelenis could do was like the weakest Angelic.....pick random thoughts up from Abigor.

He knew what the General's intent was, break his frustration at the Pits, by using this pitiful creature to tame his slave.  Jelenis would not survive Abigor's assault on his fresh sweet body.  Right now the focus should be the King....what made him leave....where had he gone?

He came alongside Viola.

"The King is gone!" He said sharply.

"Untraceable....vanished.....right from his room....via portal!"

He folded his arms across his chest.

"WHY?"

When there was no immediate answer Zenethor unfolded his arms and drew his blade.

"So what Abigor, you plan to punish the Prince of the Fifth for what happened to Sabre....I can see that, but it was not the boy's fault and there is no King left to wage war on there.....so you use his son's body in retaliation, spend your anger upon him, try to crack that Angelic you hold slave?" He mused.

"Might work....likely not, I have owned Angelics as slaves for years, that one you have is a tough one, he will not break by seeing his nephew abused, he considers him lost already, his soul richly tainted the moment he was conceived, his laying with Gen'pi only further confirmed that suspicion."

Zenethor shook his head.

"Seeing you rape Jelenis, forcing the young man to coo beneath your prowess will mean nothing to him, part of him may pity him, familial shadows....but no more!  So you will put him back in his cell, leave him be as Saberion ordered."

He nodded to Viola, gesturing her to remove Jelenis and take him back.

"You will join me immediately alongside Kora and Ulric...Kora is beside himself, Ulric is confused....you need to speak of what happened, Viola will join us when she has locked Jelenis up."

He raised his sword.

"Do not defy me boy....or you will feel the sharper side of my ire.....I may be old but I can still make you wish you had never been born!"

Up in the mountains Meridior watched as her grandson slept his disjointed and non restful sleep.  She saw his dreams, she saw this mortal he had mated and this displeased her greatly, he should have waited until he had come home and got a demon female with his seed, so a demon heir could have been born.  She studied Flori and the more she watched the more displeased she became, little elven snit of a girl with some power but nothing special.  A girl who had been a passing fancy to while away the time that had gotten her claws into Sabre in a time when he had been desperate.

The only reason he had made her with child was to please Abigor and to get the girl out of the way so they could be together.

Back to Abigor again.

Such a powerful link between this pair, more than it should be, the General had been entranced by Sabre, desperate for him in every sense of the word.  Sabre was equally so, but frightened by the intensity of it.

Sabre was pure demon, a strain of demon so pure it was unheard of, his bloodline was perfect, a culmination of breeding.  He had been through the Ritual of Purification every three years up until the age of eighteen.  No demon had withstood so much, his father wanted it confirmed over and over what his son was....pure demon....the rarest of their kind.....with the power that went with it.

She reached out to touch a strand of moonlight hair, and her hand moved over his flawless cheek and to touch his perfect mouth.

"One day he will see what he threw away with his harsh words to you Saberion." She whispered.

"I had hoped my eldest son might have prevented it....oh....he was many thousands of years older than your mother....such a warrior....I sent him everywhere....but I had him settle in the Tenth.  His father....not the same as your mother...brute of a demon...but a true warrior. He did not know of his sister....nor his relationship to you." She mused to the sleeping figure.

"My Zenethor might yet prevail, but he does not know where you are....you are hidden safe my lovely.  If he gets through to that pig headed demon you love....I might let you go home eventually...if not....then you stay with me until the Rings are ready for you."

Several hours later Sabre woke with a start, he felt groggy and disorientated and he sat up slowly and saw his grandmother sat across from him, her own eyes closed.

"You drugged me." He said softly reaching for a cup of water placed close to him.

"I did." Said the old demoness with little fanfare.

"Why?" Sabre retorted feeling a little hurt that she would resort to such a thing.

Meridior opened her eyes and regarded him coolly.

"Becase young man I wanted to see in your mind without you raising barriers, I wanted to see what you had been up to all these years gone and I must say I am displeased about your choice of woman!" She said sharply.

"Some little mortal elven snit who you only got pregnant to get out of the way to satify your lover! Hopefully she will lose the child and you can discard her for a proper demoness who will provide you with a true heir!"

Sabre's eyes flared.

"Leave her out of this...she is of no consequence in the grand scheme of things, if she survives the birthing I will deal with that....if not....then I will not have to. Flori is loyal to me!"

Meridior snorted.

"More likely she is parting her legs to that young guard she was assigned!"

Sabre slammed the cup down fighting the nausea rising in him.

"So what if she is....she has every right too.....I love Abigor, I would give him my remaining innocence....if she wants to bed Bouli the I don't mind....let her seek her pleasure too."

Abigor could not bring himself to admit it but he practically threw Jelenis at Viola.  "Take him!  Take the vile brat!"

His breathing was heavy as was his heart.  Sabre gone?  A portal?

He shook hos head, there were too many present and the king had told him in confidence.  Whatever happened between them the General would never betray that.  But why?  Why was he so loyal?  No!  No!  He refused to think of it.

Viola caught the boy and growled at the general.  "I will take him back Master Zenethor."  Of all the demons Viola respect Zenethor most of all.

Kora felt Abigor's emotions.  So many twisting inside him.  But one that he felt most was the hurt.  Why?  What had happened?

Taking Ulric by the arm, "we need to leave Master Zenethor and General Abigor alone Ulric.  Please come with me."  Ulric gave him no resistance. 

Only when the others parted did Abigor close his eyes he turned so his back was to the masses and only his face showed to the Master.  "Please Master Zenethor, no matter what I cannot betray his trust even if he has left me.   I will carry what happened as my burden to bare.  Let us just say I loved and it was not returned.  It is okay, he deserves whatever he wants.  Just know I did not touch him in a violent way.  In fact I just told him I needed to be alone."  He felt his insides being ripped apart.

"Are we sure we do not know where he went?"  Abigor shook his head trying to come to terms that Sabre opened a portal and just left.  He had said to take the Kingdom and now the General began to get visibly upset.  "So many secrets were kept from me, thing as his protector I should have known."  He had to get away.  Get far from this place.

"I cannot do this out here Master Zenethor, please let us go where it is private.  I cannot let them see me like this."  It was true the General was coming undone and that would not be good.  He was holding up but those who truly knew him would be able to tell he was beginning to fray.

Zenethor gestured ahead of him and they walked to his study, once inside he closed the door and sealed it.

"Speak and quickly Abigor....the King is gone....we are leaderless....it is more than you suggest! Please tell me you did not force him to your passion!"

He knew Sabre well, Abigor even more so, he did not think such a thing was likely.  Sabre had always loved Abigor, among the inner circle of servants, himself, Ana  and Lui this was known.  It had been thought that Abigor felt the same...so what had happened.

"I do not care what trusts you think you are bound to keep....you will tell me what happened, exactly what happened in that room." He hissed softly.

"Keep any detail from me and I will know, and you will find yourself in a cell in the Pits cooling your heels until you feel more co-operative!"

Zenethor was concerned for both of them, for Sabre to leave he must be hurt, very hurt, perhaps not in body but in his heart.  For Abigor to be this angry, this foolhardy he too was in pain, mixed with anger though.

"What secrets do you think have been kept from you!" He snapped.

Meridior shook her head.

"Too soft and emotional, that is yer father's fault....but I think I can change that....I will send for Kondor, Zenethor's father.  He lives still and I think he can teach you to reach your full potential, a warrior as well as a sorcerer and a king."

Sabre closed his eyes, perhaps she was right, he did let emotions cloud him far too much, his desire for Abigor, his need to rule, his caring of a sort for Flori, his need for friends and family....what had any of it bought him....pain....just pain.

"Send for him...let him teach me to school out the emotion, let me be a warrior and I can then go back and rule my kingdom....and the other Rings."  He said in a flat voice, so unlike him.

"No more love, no more desire....no more family....the only one I have ever truly loved has rejected me without even listening to me, you are likely right about Flori...I saw the way she looked at Bouli....they are all laughing at me....they all think me weak Grandmother."

The old crone reached out to touch his face.

"T'is for the best Saberion....you cannot have those things....shut them out...." She said softly.

He closed his dark eyes.

"What about the Ithior?"

She smiled darkly.

"Abigor will feel what you are becoming soon enough....leave the channel open and let him feel the reward of his rejection and what it has made you in to!"

Several hours later Sabre heard heavy footfalls outside and he watched from the rear of the cave as Meridior shuffled to the entrance to greet a large heavy set demon, he was easily bigger than Abigor and Zenethor, his look more feral and canny.  She led him in and Sabre rose as they came towards him, he was easily dwarfed by the large male looking like a boy next to him.  He was looked up and down most critically and the demon turned to look at Meridior.

"This is he....this....child.....is your daughter's son?" He snarled.

Meridior chuckled.

"Come now Kondor...he is the King of the Tenth and a powerful Sorcerer, his prowess as a warrior needs a little work."

Sabre squared up to the huge Kondor and scowled.

"I was taught by Zenethor himself.....I have some skill!"

Kondor laughed and cuffed Sabre solidly round the head.

"Feisty little pup, who do you think taught Zenethor? I will say what skill you have...or do not....do you have more to wear that that fancy silk dress?"

Sabre flushed in embarrassment and the robe shimmered and became fighting leathers.

"There is plenty of space in the deeper caverns past this one....go easy on him Kondor....he is quite young by our reckoning remember!" Meridior said softly.

The huge demon turned his red eyes to the old crone.

"If he isn't up to it or does poorly he will feel my whip.....just as his uncle did!"  He gestured to a long whip coiled at his belt.

Sabre swallowed.

"No emotion....fear is emotion!" He said to himself in his mind softly.

"Come let us begin!" He said sharply to Kondor.

Zenethor was losing patience with his most favoured pupil.

"Do I need to send for the guards and have you taken to the Pit!" He snapped.

"Bloody well speak Abigor....do you think I do not know all secrets....everything that transpires in this place!" He growled.

"What do you think has been held from you?  What has happened that would make you walk away from him?"

He slammed his fist on the desk and his eyes glowed red.

"What did you do that has Sabre so upset that he would leave everyone......what did you say to him!"

He followed Zenethor.


But he couldn't speak at first it was only the slamming of Zenethor's fist that brought him out of his trance.  When he spoke it was with a flatness unnatural to the fiery demon.  He was dead inside.  Nothing mattered. 

"Then you will have to take me too the pits.  I will not betray him.  What I will tell you is this.  I needed space.  I told him as much.  Said I needed time to think.  He kept things from me.  Things I am sure he thought he needed to keep from me."  He shook his head as his hands covered his face.  "I told him that I felt betrayed.  I told him not to call for me, that I needed to think.  Nothing happened for his light grew too fierce and he feared it would harm me."


Abigor didn't know where the King went. 


"Master I have no idea where the King went.  But it is time I left here.  I need to leave this place, this realm even.  Nothing I do for him is enough.  Nothing I have done seems to have pleased him.  My loyalty he seems to think is worthless, he left you say?"  He asked but it was rhetorical.  "All I asked for was some time alone.  He disappears.  Please don't admonish me, please we both know he is highly sensitive and it is probably for the best if I leave.  Maybe for good."


He didn't wait for the Master's comments.  He just got up and left.  He walked to the court, past the study, the librartpy, and once in his room he opened the door to the mortal plane.  He just needed to get away from here.  Every decision he had ever made was now in question.  The one demon who claimed to love him just left, couldn't even wait for him!  While he had waited over 18 years.  Maybe he was right in thinking Sabre never loved him as he had loved the King. 

As Abigor left the Demon Plane he felt it, felt the emotion tied to it through the Ithior and the distraction cost him dearly as Kondor knocked him flying and he landed heavily against the rocks.

"Enough!" He gasped in pain and winded, trying to cope with the loss of his love, just another confirmation to him how much Abigor hated him.

Kondor growled and slammed the point of his sword close to Sabre.

"It is enough when I say it is enough child!" He hissed.

"Spoilt pampered brat.....my son taught you poorly!"

Sabre closed his eyes, part of him just wanted to go to Abigor to beg his forgiveness and to be held by the only one he loved. How could he though, Abigor had made clear his feelings....especially accusing him of wanting Jelenis.

He slowly found his feet.

"Zenethor was a good teacher....." He growled softly.

Kondor grinned.

"Not from where I am standing......fight you arrogant brat!"

Kora watched Abigor go to his room.  He felt the portal open to the mortal realm and his friend leave.

He hurried to Master Zenethor's chambers with Ulric at his heals.

"Master!  Master!"  Kora closed the door and sealed it.

"Abigor and King Sabre are gone.  This is grave.  I think no one should know this but us.  I can conjure his image, King Sabre that is in his chambers.  We cannot let it get out we are without King or General."

He spoke in a no nonsense tone.  Though inside he was a wreck.  This was time for cooler head to prevail.  "Shall I send anyone after Abigor?" 

Zenethor cursed the stubbornness of both General and King and looked wearily to Kora.

"Let Abigor cool his heels and Sabre will not be far, he has not left the Rings.....but he is hidden and powerful magic hides him." He said finally.

"Kora, do you sense Sabre? You are next closet to him after Abigor."

It was going to be hard to find Sabre especially if he did not want to be found.

"Abigor will be punished on his return, he should know better than to run away no matter what he feels!" Zenethor growled.

"His father and I taught him better than that......plus there is the Queen, she must not know the King is gone!"

Kora was in full agreement not to let any know.

"I have tried to reach him Master, I feel something but what I could not say.  He isn't far that much I do know."  He looked back and nodded.

"Let us go to the library.  It is there that I should be able to feel him."  He got up and quickly walked to the room.  He sat in 'his' chair and tried the channel the King.

King Sabre, please hear me.  Open to me.  Abigor left!  We need you.  Your Kingdom needs you.  Please answer.  Come home King.

He didn't know what else to say so he just kept repeating it.  He let his love and admiration for his friend seep into his words so if the King heard them he also felt what Kora was feeling. 

He felt Kora and it cost him dearly that momentary lapse in focus,  Kondor knocked him hard and he was sprawled on his back again. The ancient demon roared in anger dragging Sabre to his feet, he took him to a tall rock roughly binding his hands above the younger demon's head he then tore open the back of his shirt.

"You have the focus of an infant!" He hissed.

"Punishment is due and perhaps then you might focus better.

Sabre closed his eyes as he heard Kondor shake out that great coiled whip at his side and drew it back.  Sabre felt its bite a dozen times, his back deeply striped, he thought he might pass out from the pain of it.  Kondor stomped off afterwards leaving him hanging there his back welted and bleeding.  The King could still hear Kora's insistent message and he answered.

"Stop Kora!"

He thought carefully on his next words.

"I am learning what I need to make me a true demon king...one to rule all Rings...I cannot come home until it is done....suffice to say I am safe.  As for Abigor....it is not for me to deal with, I know he has gone, I felt it....but I am an object of hatred to him now....he despises me...made that clear when he said I should go and screw Jelenis....let him be, he will come home to you when he is ready!"

He then abruptly shut the conduit and Kora from his mind.

Kora felt it and stumbled from the chair....he repeated King Sabre's words.  In Sabre voice as if the King himself was there.  It truly took a tool on Kora.


"Stop Kora!"

"I am learning what I need to make me a true demon king...one to rule all Rings...I cannot come home until it is done....suffice to say I am safe.  As for Abigor....it is not for me to deal with, I know he has gone, I felt it....but I am an object of hatred to him now....he despises me...made that clear when he said I should go and screw Jelenis....let him be, he will come home to you when he is ready!"




Kora opened his eyes.  He is in the forbidden place Master Zenethor.  I have felt General Abigor, and I fear the King is wrong there.  Abigor will not return to us.  You nor the King will punish him, he is already sealing us from his mind and if I am right his runes will soon follow.

It was painful to think his friend was that lost to them.  For the first time he wondered what truly happened between the two.

"Master, I think Ulric and I should Masquerade as guards to the Kings chambers I do not want it known both are gone.  We will need to see to the men.  Make sure they think Abigor is on a quest."  Kora was slipping into the role of General.  Something many might not have thought of him.  He was loyal to his King and showing promise as a leader.  Kora was a natural.

Zenethor pondered the words that Kora had spoken and he then listened to the younger demon's authoritative tone as he spoke of what needed to be done.  Kora was acting like he had been taught, primed for...he was acting like a General.

"Do it Kora." He said softly.

"You say Sabre was in the Forbidden Place? Can you elaborate?" He asked with a horrible suspicion of where that might be.

Abigor needed his space and Sabre had made it clear he was to have it, the King thought he was hated and reviled by his General....what could have made him think such a thing....was that why he left?

Kora nodded and looked at Ulrich who looked at his lover in a whole new light.  This was a side he had never seen.

"Perfect.  Now Ulrich it will be you and I only guarding the King's quarters.  I will tend to the men and have Viola take over the daily regimen of their drills.  She will not be told either.  If asked Abigor has gone in search of intelligence on the Fifth Ring.  That will not be even questioned."  He nodded to Ulrich.

Turning to Master Zenethor he sighed.  "He is in the warp where his mother's family resides.  I fear I am not strong enough to make it there."  He looked down, a bit ashamed that he could not do this for his master.

"I will go find Viola."  he said in a softer tone.

Zenethor closed his eyes at the mention of where Sabre was, why there of all the places he could go to.  His grandmother was a powerful demoness, very powerful almost as much as Sabre himself and she had knowledge as well.  If Sabre had gone to her then it could mean only one thing, he wanted to know what he needed to do to rule all of the Rings.

He gestured to Ulric.

"Go find Viola I need to speak with Kora, he will join you when I am done." He commanded.

He waited until Ulric had left the room.

"What do you know of Sabre's maternal grandmother Kora?" He said quietly.

Sabre did not know how long he hung there on that rock after speaking to Kora, his back was sore, it felt itchy and crusted in places where his blood had dried.  He heard a shuffling to his left and then the voice of his grandmother as she tutted and come forward her gnarled fingers lightly touching his marred flesh.

"You are going to have to do better than this Saberion....Kondor does not suffer inept pupils for long." She said working on the knot to let him down.

"I am sorry I displeased him, I lost concentration, once when Abigor left the Rings and secondly when Lord Kora tried to contact me.  It will not happen again, please assure Master Kondor of this."

"Assure me yourself pup!" Boomed a voice from the direction Meridior had come, Kondor had been watching the pair.  He knew he had been hard on the younger demon but it had been for his own good.

Meridior worked free the knot and Sabre sagged to the floor but he forced himself to stand upright as a king should.

"I am sorry Master Kondor, such distractions will not happen again....please....we should continue." Sabre said his voice determined.

Kondor stepped forward and stared down at the King, such a pretty little thing, like Meridior's daughter.  He had watched them come far and wide to win her hand, only those that made in into the Warp were even considered.

His son had been strong, functional, easy to teach, Zenethor showed such dedication to the art of warfare to please his parents.  He had been sent out into the Rings long before the daughter had been born.  Meridior had chosen a rare sort of Incubus to lay with and father the girl and it had paid off.  Half brother and sister were unaware of each other....it was fate that they ended up in the Tenth.....or was it.

"You need to rest Saberion." Kondor said gruffly.

"There are deep hot springs from the left fork of this cave.....go soak yourself, the springs have power of their own, you will heal and then you will eat and sleep."  He gestured to the opening for Sabre to take.

As he watched the silver haired demon leave he looked sidelong to Meridior.

"He has spirit.....I give you that....but he needs to get rid of the emotions that govern him Meridior." He hissed softly.

"Love....friendships....he cannot have those things if he wants the Rings!"

Meridior shook her head.

"It is those things that have broken him Kondor....losing Abigor....I felt the disdain the General's son had when Sabre tried to confide that secret of the blood to him.....it is that which broke him.  Abigor did not even try to listen....he walked away."

Kondor snorted.

"Why did he tell him?"

Meridior's lips formed a thin line.

"Because he wanted no secrets...because he wanted to be with Abigor but feared he might harm him....that Priest has much to answer for as did Sabre's father....they should have been allowed to develop their love naturally and the 'Flare' would not have happened. It is a defence like the Runes....in time he can and will master it....when he masters his fear....his emotion."

He found the hot springs a short way down the left fork, they formed sizeable rocky pools with bubbling warm water.  Sabre stripped off his clothes and stepped into one of the nearest pools, the heat flowing through his tired bones, lapping over his sore and torn skin.  At first the water stung the wounds, but then it felt almost pleasant and he closed his eyes, the runes on his body glowing softly in the dimness of the cavern creating an odd purple glow beneath the water.

So Abigor had left.....Sabre had left the area so he did not have to.....but he had anyway.  Stubborn bloody fool....his heart ached for him though, try as he might to discard that emotion he could not.  He loved Abigor with every fibre of his being, how could he make him understand that.

He reached out tentatively with his mind, through the Warp and the Rings to the World of Mortals.

"Abigor....despite what you think.....I love you....I do not know why what happened...happened...but it did which is why I left to find answers so one day we can be together as we want to be." He said softly.

"You needed time to think....but I never got the chance to explain....you just left....my heart broke and I left to try and fix it...and us."

He opened the Ithior to let him feel his love for him....but felt something in return...a man....a mortal....not an ordinary mortal though....he felt like fire, his essence was bright and hot.  Confused Sabre closed the Ithior, and pondered this development....was he already seeking another?  This man was deeply in Abigor's thoughts.....Sabre felt a deep pain inside him and his throat felt constricted.

Maybe Meridior and Kondor were right .....feel no emotion....then you could not be wounded.

Kora was all business.

"Ulrich will you find Viola?  Please do not share anything we have discussed.  I trust you."  His eyes bore into the demon and there passed a loving look between the two.  They were far past the stage Sabre and Abigor were at, they had been lovers many years though both married.

"Yes General Kora."  Ulrich gave hi. The title he rightly deserved.


Kora turned to Master Zenethor.  "I know very little.  Just that she was more powerful than our Kings, well except King Sabre, but I knew it was his mothers side of the family."

Bouli could feel things happening.  He knew something was amiss.  What he did not know.  Yet for her sake he would say nothing.  He could not understand why the King just left her?  She was so full of life and eager to please him.  Yet Bouli felt as if King Sabre and General Abigor hated her.  He could not understand.


"Queen Flori, how are you feeling this evening?"  Her guard asked.

She had been staring out the window.  Hoping to see him but he had not come to her.  A small part felt him leave but she was not wise in the way of demons to understand her connection to the King was deeper than just her feelings.

"I am well enough Bouli.  Tell me though..." She hesitated and looked over at him sadly, "does the King no longer love me?  Was I only something to pass the time?  A means to end his loneliness?"

What could he say? 

He looked towards the two nursemaids who for some reason were absent.

Ana having felt the leaving of both her boys was headed to Zenethor.  Lui had gone to check on the nursery preparations.


He walked over to her. 

"Queen Flori.  No, no...he gave you his child.  This is something a demon can control.  If he did not love you why would he have given you such a gift?  The ceremony, you told me of it, why would he have done that if he didn't love you."

Why indeed!  Bouli grew angrier with each passing day that the King ignored the elvish woman he bedded and called Queen.

Flori began to cry.  At first they were soft tears which grew heavier.  "I am nothing but a fool.  Yes he freed me from my prison with Lord Hernon, only to enslave me in his own."  Bouli wrapped his arms around her and slowly stroked her back, her hair, and soon his thumbs brushed her tears drops from her cheeks.

He realized he was doing the forbidden.  Falling in love with the Queen.

"Please don't cry Queen Flori.  Please, once your baby comes things will get better." 

Flori looked up at him and their eyes met.  It was a pull towards each other...

Standing in the cage of his arms, Flori felt the anticipation rush through her. 

Bouli's head dipped toward Flori. His expression was predatory, dominating.

His lips brushed hers, soft but not in the least bit hesitant. His touch was skilled, deliberate, as he traced the outline of her lips with the tip of his tongue, small caresses, yet with each stroke a fire broke out and flared brighter, arousal coursed through her, Flori trembled with need.

With a moan of surrender, She returned his pressure, his kiss, his fire.

Then Bouli made a sound in the back of his throat, a cat sound like a growly purr. A sound of satisfaction, of lust, hunger, desire.  It said he wanted her, needed her....she fed from it...drank it in...he tightened his hold as he broke his lips from hers.

"No Queen, not like this...I want you but not because I am second to him.  I want you free of him.  Or I will always doubt it."  He didn't let go of her.  Flori understood...and just closed her eyes and leaned into his embrace.

Zenethor paced as he listened to Kora, he knew nothing of consequence, Sabre was in the Warp, Abigor in the mortal world as far as they could get from each other.  He shook his head, he had to get to the bottom of this.

He had hailed from the Warp himself, not many actually knew that both his parents had been Warp demons, larger and more powerful than typical Ring demons.  Sabre's mother had apparently hailed from the Warp too, no creature that beautiful could have come naturally to two Ring demons.  Sabre had gone to his maternal family to learn a craft to help him rule....he had power, he had strength....so what?

A knock at the door made both he and Kora turn.....Zenethor sensed it was Ana.

"Let her in Kora." He said, still deep in thought.

Sabre huddled in the pool a miserable bundle, Abigor was with another, he should have stayed and spoke to him but he knew he could not accept a rejection from him again, the first time was bad enough...but he was the King.  His dark eyes narrowed and he opened the channel again.

"I love you.....will always love you and I don't care if you hate me....I am yours Abigor.....it is your choice....if you love me one day you will return and we can truly be as one....If not then I know it was just all a dream."

He paused.

"I would give it all up for you if you ask....my crown....my throne....Flori...everything."

"I will give it all to you if that is what you desire...I will be your slave."

It was an impassioned plea....straight from Sabre's heart, he knew his grandmother would be furious if she heard him....Kondor more so.

"Please Gor.....just hear me.....just hear me."

He waited for the reply if any.

Ulrrich hurried to find Viola.

She was with Jelenis.  He wanted to rip that boy apart and as he entered he snarled.

"Viola, please Kora and Master Zenethor seek to speak with us."

Sabre listened silently to Abigor and he still felt hurt at the words spoken.  He had never made Gor crawl or beg not in the whole time he had known him. The Fifth, the Tenth....none of it mattered without Abigor by his side. He waded from the pool, his torn back already healing and he reached for the leathers pulling on the breeches, the undershirt and the jacket.  Next came the boots and he shook his hair, he would go to the General with no pomp, no ceremony, just dressed plainly with nothing but his feelings laid bare.

He walked from the caverns out towards the main living space where he knew he would meet resistance from Meridior and Kondor.  He headed towards the main entrance.

"Where do you think you are going Saberion?" The old crone hissed softly.

"Back....to do what I should have done....it would be wise to let me leave." He said sharply.

Kondor rose like a dark shadow behind Meridior and growled.

"If you walk out boy.....don't come crawling back!" He spat.

"Go running to your lover like the cheap little slut you are you.....perhaps if he pulls the leash hard enough his silver haired bitch will bark for him!"

Sabre took a breath, he would not retaliate.

"Perhaps." He said softly.

"But I owe him!"

With a sudden flash he was gone and the two Warp demons glared at the empty space.

"That priest did not do his job well enough!" Muttered Meridior....as she turned back to her cooking pot.

Kora opened the door for Ana who swept through.  More worry then anything on her brow.

"Zenethor, my boys?  I feel discord between them and they have left this plane.  I can fee...."

She was cut off by Kora literally falling forward.  Though he caught himself before completely falling.  "Master, Ana!  They are in the mortal plane.  Both!  Should we send someone to watch over them?" 

Kora was anxious he did not want to risk King Sabre out in the mortal realm unprotected.  Although Abigor was with him their defenses where compromised.

Zenethor frowned.

"What is Sabre playing at.....he was in the Warp....though time passes much slower there....now he is on the Mortal Plane....with Abigor."

"Ana....do you know what they are up to? Have you any idea of what has happened?"

Whilst he waited for the older female demon to answer he pondered Kora's question.

"Sabre spent many years in the mortal realm...he can take care of himself....Abigor is there too....let us give them some time....perhaps they will return together Kora."

Zenethor's look was like thunder.

"When they come home there will be my wrath to face...not to mention Ana's!"

Ana shook her head no.   "I came to you looking for answers!"  The old demoness seethed.  "The Warp!  With his maternal grandmother, the one who just left him in the hands of his father?  No Zenethor!"  She cut off the master she was furious.   "You know I speak the truth of Sabre's father!  He never gave the boy a moments peace!  He was unfit to raise that boy."

She shook her head.  The Warp, why did he go there at all?

Ana did agree that Sabre could take care of himself and so could Abigor.  But they only just got Sabre back sh feared losing him again.

Zenethor was taken aback by her anger but he understood it.  He had never met Sabre's grandmother, he knew she was a Warp demon like his own mother, but that did not make her any better than Sabre's father.

"How do you know she would have been any better Ana?" He said softly.

"I understand how much you love Sabre, Abigor too.....as do I....but both have erred in these decisions and they will know it when they finally come home!"

He shook his head.

"He may be King but by the Underworlde my cane can still find his backside!" He grumbled.

"Abigor too!"

He nodded to Kora who looked tired.

"Take some rest Kora, Ulric can deal with this for a while under my instruction....Ana can you manage the Queen?"

Meridior stared into the small rocky bowl of water at the rear of the cave, she concentrated on her grandson to see where he was, she did not need to know with who...that was plainly evident.  Abigor, he was with Abigor, panting after the General like the little bitch that Kondor had insulted him as.  She smiled thinly, as she watched the pair at the tavern table, fingers entwined whispering sweet words to each other....the end would justify the means soon enough.  The High Priest should have done his duty properly and mounted him when he had been ensconced at the Temple, taken his innocence and bought about the breaking that would have turned Sabre into the Shar'Unitor much quicker than now.

Abigor though would do.....he had struck lucky had the General's son, finding the love of a Warp Incubus, he would be in for the most pleasurable night imaginable once the deed was first done. He would take Saberion's remaining innocence and turn him into a full Warp Demon, it was only that innocence that held back his greatness.  She cackled with laughter, a full Warp Incubus, charm and sexual allure personified, outstripping even his mother and her father in that respect.

Sabre had risen now  and was leading Abigor towards the rickety old stairs towards the back of the tavern.  She wished Saberion's father could have seen this, he would have died a thousand times over from the embarrassment of it.  A Prince of the Royal Blood getting mounted in a dirty mortal backstreet tavern by a demon lower than himself like a common cheap little whore.

"Yes my pretty." She hissed, touching Sabre's image, making the water ripple.

"That's it....do what your blood tells you to do.....what your nature insists on.....become what you are destined to be."

She continued to watch them in the scrying pool with the dispassion of someone watching to prize animals mate.  Kondor came into the cave and peered down at what she was watching and snorted.

"Why do you watch him Meridior, panting like a little bitch in heat after the lower demon?"

The old crone gave a thin smile.

"Because Kondor I want to make sure it is actually done this time.....Abigor is filled with desire and anger, he will not be able to help it, he will mount Sabre if it is the last thing he ever does!"

The old male shook his head.

"Plots and schemes....do you really think he is the one?"

Meridior nodded saying no more, it was so close now, she felt her grandson's apprehension and the potential for the Flare.

"Now Abigor!" She muttered under her breath.

"Make him all powerful!"

Meridior gave a cry of triumph as she watched the tryst between King and General in that dirty little mortal Inn.  It was done!  Abigor had taken the last innocence remaining to Sabre, deflowered him truly and properly and nothing remained in him that was innocent any more, he was a true demon now...a Warp Demon and it had begun already with the symbols forming on her grandson.  He bore the rune symbols for all ten Rings and now he had to come back here  to learn what he need for the Unity Rune.

Meridior called over the realms to Abigor, speaking softly in his mind.

"Well Done General....a job truly well done, you are an impressive demon but your work is not quite yet finished....bring Sabre to me.....make him come back to the Warp....make him open a portal and bring him to me."

The thought of reward might spur him.

"You too will train with Kondor, Zenethor's father....he will like you, yes indeed, his son's favoured pupil.....here you can have Sabre as much as you desire, no spies, no holding back....here you can experience him for the true Incubus he is...a Warp Incubus makes all others pale in comparison, you have will not have experienced true pleasure until you take him here and make him cry beneath you."

Meridior's luring call was powerful.

Though both Sabre and Abigor were in the mortal realm Zenethor could still feel both of them.  He had been carefully attuned to the pair since they were small boys and he felt it now what they had been doing there, the pleasure, the pain, the need.

This had to be handled so very carefully when they returned, it could not get out that the General was bedding the King of the Tenth, it would make Sabre look weak.  Then there was something else, more of a vague sense that something else was interfering with the pair from another plane of existence.  He had his suspicions but he could not be sure why.

"Ana." He said to the demoness who still waited angrily nearby.

"Do you sense what has happened between them?" He asked softly.

"Did they plan to run away and do this?"

Flori had been taken to a much smaller library.  It was nothing like Sabre's but was big enough for the queen.  Her husband even saw fit to give her an alchemy station, which was right down the hallway from her library.  She had taken to reading very late at night.  Sometimes being carried to her bed by Bouli.

Neither of them spoke of the intimacy they shared earlier that evening.  It was dangerous.

Yet tonight Flori as restless this evening.  Then she felt a strange feeling come over her.  Like he was breaking free from her.  She tipped the armrests tightly.  Pushing slightly off her chair.  He didn't love her.

She lit out a small sob.  Which Bouli and Lui noticed but neither hurried over, she was okay right now. 

Maybe he had needed her when they first met.  Maybe she gave him relief.  He was a demon, he corrupted her.  Now she carried his child.  Her child. 

"Bouli, I wish to go to my room.  Would you take me please."  She rose from the chair as her personal guard came to her.  Entwining his arm with hers Bouli led Flori to her room. 

"Queen, rest well.  As always I am right outside." 

"No Bouli, I want you to stay with me.  I sometimes have bad dreams and something tells me I might this evening."  Flori truly meant this she felt very uneasy as she headed for the dressing curtain and prepared for bed.

Coming round she slipped into the bed and reached for Bouli's hand.  Lui not far away.  She fell asleep holding his hand tightly.

Meridior used her voice with more power behind it to reach the General.

"Abigor....bring him."

She looked to Kondor and gave a thin smile, perhaps the voice of his Mentor's father might have more sway.

"Kondor...call to Abigor....make him bring Sabre to me." She hissed.

The large demon snorted but did as he was bade.

"General Abigor, Favoured of my son Zenethor, I call to you from across the Planes, come to me...learn as your mentor did.....learn to be a true protector of your king, let me teach you the combat secrets of the Warp that I did not even teach my own son......just bring Saberion." He growled.

"You can be with your King in peace until it is time for him to claim what is rightfully his...nights of passion in secret caves, bathing in hot springs together, by day you can learn, I want to test you General....to see what you are actually capable of." This was more of a direct challenge which he knew would appeal to Abigor's need to prove himself.

Jelenis had been taken back to his cell and sat huddled on the bed in one corner, he had been terrified when Abigor had come to take him him somewhere, bodily dragging him from the cell and carrying him to some place called The Pit.  It had been the one called Zenethor and Viola that had intervened and forced him to let his prisoner go.  Jelenis knew deep in his heart what Abigor had planned to do to him in that place, what he had threatened back at th Fortress and in truth as terrified as he was, part of him wanted the attention, pain or otherwise.  He felt so very deeply ashamed of this fact, that he might almost crave attention from Abigor he felt that deprived and alone.

He turned his head into the pillow and let out a soft sob....perhaps it might be easier if he were dead.  No more of this wickedness, this sin that he had been led to by Gen'pi that he so wanted...perhaps he was the names the demon guards called him.  Viola had now left with Ulric who had given him a look that might kill and another guard had been placed.  He just wanted to go home, to find Bel and Trayder and forget this whole nasty place.

Meridior felt it first, the crackle of energy that signified a portal being opened into the Warp.  She grinned to Kondor.

"You managed to reach the General it seems after all." She hissed.

"He is bringing Saberion back and he will be the one to make sure he remains here until the work is done."

Kondor snorted.

"You have far too much faith in that silver haired whore!" He growled.

"Just like you did in the Incubus you mated to get your daughter....he looks very much like his grandfather and has his abilities it seems too, moaning well between the sheets! The magic must have come from his Sire's side of the family!"

Meridior scowled.

"You concentrate on Abigor and do what you do best which is fight.....leave the intricate stuff to me...the boy is Shar'Unitor whether you like it or not....and my grandson is no whore, never use that term again in front of me and especially in front of him!"

She hissed at Kondor like an angry cat and he growled back in a low rumble of anger.

Abigor stepped out of the portal first closely followed by Sabre, they were in Meridior's cave, Sabre recognised it instantly and he stepped forward protectively in front of Abigor, a reversal of roles momentarily.  He did not know how Kondor or Meridior would react, though he knew it had been one of them that had summoned them through his lover.

It was Kondor that stepped out of the shadows first.

"So....you are back....deflowered I understand it....typical Incubus....naught more than a slut yet the fate of all the Rings lies in your hands!" He hissed softly into Sabre's face.  The Warp Demon towered easily above both Sabre and Abigor.

He turned his gaze towards Abigor, looking him up and down.

"So you are my son's most favoured warrior, well we shall truly see what you are capable of...whether you can wield a blade as well as you wield your manhood!" He said scornfully.

Meridior shuffled from an adjoining cave.

"Never mind him...he is old and testy, welcome Son of Abrion, you will one day be known as the one that ushered the Golden age of the Rings into being with what you did tonight." She smiled but it did not quite look welcoming.

Sabre blushed in the flickering light of the fire in the cave, they spoke of losing his innocence so easily and so loosely as if it were an act for watching, like he was nothing more than a prize animal getting mounted.

Whilst he was blushing in shame he felt a shred of anger too, how dare they speak of him like this,he stepped forward again, angry.

"Will you stop speaking of me in such a way, I am no mere animal to serve the will of others!" He spat, his moonlight hair was almost a ruddy red in the firelight, his dark eyes blazed.

Kondor stormed towards him, his arm raised ready to strike.

"You arrogant little bastard, you need to learn to respect...." He was cut short as he seemed frozen in place, his eyes blazing angrily.

Sabre had thrown up his hand and his runes flared brightly in the gloom of the cave, the magic he cast so much stronger here.  He could feel Kondor straining against the magic but it only resolved him will and he stood firm.

"You speak to Abigor about me like I was a mere thing to be mounted and broken in, a Night Stallion to ridden hard and forced to your bit and saddle!" He hissed softly.

"I am not......I am Shar'Unitor!"

Zenethor sat at his desk his eyes closed, Ana had not gone to Flori, choosing to stay close by...Kora remained to and Viola and Uric had gone to stand guard by the King's chambers.

"They are no longer on the Mortal Plane." Zenethor said opening his eyes.

"Kora...do you sense where they are now...back in the Tenth or elsewhere?"

Something had changed between Abigor and Sabre, the most likely to understand or feel it would be Ana.  She had raised Sabre from a baby, suckled him off her own teat when his mother had died, other than Abigor she was closest to the King...like a mother.

"Ana....do you sense what has happened?" He asked softly.

"I no longer sense enmity....something else."

Meridior smirked as she saw the force of Sabre's will brought to life as he held Kondor, even she felt the mighty demon struggled under the onslaught and then the resolve in Sabre as he strengthen his position.

"Sabre.....release him!" She said tersely.

When Sabre ignored her, his handsome face set and determined she turned to Abigor.

"Abigor....rein Sabre in please....it is in your ability to do so now, the act of taking his last innocence saw to that.  I had hoped it would have been the priest, the control of the Temple would have been preferable!"

She smiled coolly.

"You have a certain sway over him now, yes he is Shar'Unitor, but even such a being needs a control mechanism and now you are it."

She turned back to her Grandson.

"You speak of not being a creature to be broken to our bit and saddle...in a way my dear Grandson...that is exactly what you are, think on Abigor as your rider if you will. Through you and him we will control the Rings and bring order to the bickering clans....you are a culmination of millenniums of breeding, careful cultivation of the bloodlines."

Sabre turned in shock to look at Abigor.

"Is this why you made me come here.....did you know what they wanted?" His dark eyes were full of pain.

He was confused, lost not sure why what was happening was happening, was Abigor in league with them somehow?

"Please tell me you did not make love to me for this....for reward from them.....please tell me it was because you love me....please...." He pleaded.

When no answer was forthcoming he turned and walked away into the depths of the caves towards the springs where he had bathed.  He found a niche big enough for him to curl up in and he did so and tears burned in his eyes.

All this time he thought Abigor truly loved him....was it all some lie, some trick just to bring about what the Warp Demons wanted?

Had all the years of his life been leading to nothing more than this?  He saw now with a slightly clearer head, his father had not been making his life a misery, he had been preventing this from happening.He had been kept a pure virgin to prevent this.

Why hadn't Abigor just answered....why hadn't he told him that he loved him, was he nothing more than Meridior's tool?

It was not Abigor that came to him a hour later but Meridior, he was hidden so she just sat on a rock and leaned on her stick and spoke.

"You feel used....do you not Grandson?" She said her voice echoing off of the walls.

"Like the only reason he mounted you was to please us in some sort of end game....you ask yourself if this was the plan all along, had Abigor always been in on it for reward and gain?"

Sabre sat in his shielded hidey hole and swallowed.

"Was he?"

Meridior cackled and shook her head.

"You are far too sensitive....just like your mother....Abigor knew nothing until he was summoned here, his love for you has always been there, his mating of you this night was genuine.  Though I have to admit you did writhe well beneath him my perfect little Incubus.....you did what your blood told you to do!"

Sabre flushed.

"Do not speak of it...it sickens me that you watched.....something that was meant to be personal and private!"

Meridior banged her stick on the floor in amusement.

"Very well my little love....I will not speak of it....though I cannot vouch for Kondor, he dislikes you immensely....he is jealous of your maternal grandfather still...he has a low opinion of Incubi!"

Abigor wanted to answer but nothing came out.  His voice seemed to be gone, taken by a force unknown to him.  Why could he not answer Sabre?  He needed to hear him and he too was shamed.  As his purple eyes implored Sabre he wanted to reach out and touch him but it wasn't to be.

He watched Sabre walk away and Meridior follow.  Kondor was still in the room or so Abigor thought but he couldn't see anyone right now then the King's back leaving him.  Why could he not answer?  Abigor tried to follow but his feet naught could move.  It was as if he was prevented from following for reasons he was not allowed to know.

Only after the incubus and the demoness left the room was he able to speak and move..."Sabre...."


-----------


Kora couldn't sense them on the mortal plane nor in the ring, but close.  They were close, but where he couldn't say.  He sensed their connection.


"Master I cannot sense them in the ring or mortal plane but I can tell they are close.  Very close." 

As they spoke Ana just couldn't leave she knew she should go check on the Queen but she needed to understand where Sabre was, her boy, her demon king.

Kondor had made himself unseen after the confrontation with Sabre and he had cast the Immobility spell upon the Incubus' lover, not allowing him to speak nor move to follow that upstart brat that Meridior had so much faith in.

Once Sabre had gone Kondor released Abigor and spoke to him.

"My son trained you I hear, I would see whether you are capable of anything but making that silver haired whore writhe between the sheets." He hissed.

"Incubi, they have their place in the order of things I suppose, they are best suited to brothels serving the warriors and rich women, but as Kings.....I doubt his resolve, his strength."

There was the sound of steel being drawn from a sheath and the blade shone dull metal grey in the candlelight.

"There is a cavern to the left fork, let us spar...favoured of my son.....let me see that you have not been dulled by the promise of an Incubus' body!"

Zenethor listened carefully to what Kora said, they were not in the Ring nor on the Mortal Plane but close.  He knew where, they were in between the two they were in The Warp.  How on earth, why on earth had they gone to that place of all places.

Zenethor smiled to Kora.

"My thanks Kora...now you must rest, scrying like this is telling on your power and spirit....Uric would you please take Kora to rest a while....Ana would you stay a moment."

Ana knew about Sabre's parentage, where is mother had actually come from, not many did...and he knew the old female had a scathing regard for Sabre's grandmother...a Warp Daemon.  He waited until Kora and Uric had left.

"Ana....I believe that they are in The Warp." He said softly.

"Likely with his Grandmother for some reason I cannot fathom."

Sabre gave a soft hiss at Meridior's last remark.

"It is not my fault I am an Incubus!" He said.

"After all was it not you that bedded one to create my mother and then in turn beget me!  You wanted it that way!"

Meridior gave a brief smile.

"I did and the night of pleasure I had with that fey Daemon was the best I had ever had...like the night your father had with your mother to get you was his....and the pleasure that Abigor received was his....you needed to be an Incubus to beguile and dazzle all about you, the Angel blood your father gave your mother enhanced that greatly."

Sabre gritted his teeth.

"Then your father got wise somewhere along the way, he knew I wanted you and I could not have you...not fully until you were fully devoid of your innocence....he kept you pure for a long while....and then you were taken....and it started." She growled.

"When you were taken by the Fifth....You lost your first innocence to a Uman tart in the Mortal World....that was a joy to behold....the whole Warp tremored with that deflowering.....but I knew you would not give up the other to any except Abigor....I bided my time....you are clever you broke the bond that held you to the Nephilim....and you called for your lover to come and find you.  When you lost that innocence it sent ripples through the Warp and it was time."

Meridior sensed where he was hiding himself and looked straight at him.

"You bear new marks on you...down your spine ten sigils one for each ring....but there is an eleventh to appear...the one for The Warp."

Waiting was never his strong point and the large demon seemed to be on the prowl but he was just anxious more than anything.  He knew now just how important his King was.  Sabre would unite them, bring order to the chaos surrounding them. 

Abigor wondered about home.  He had left without much said.  He thought of Zenthor and closing his eyes he tried to communicate to his master.  He tried to let him know what was going on.  Though he wasn't sure if the message could be received as the warp was completely unknown to him. 

As Abigor tried to send that message, Kondor being Zenethor's sire picked up on it immediately and chuckled deeply.

"Really...you call out to my son for help....like a child.....I expected so much more from you."

"I am Zenethor's sire....any communication you try and make to him I can hear you pathetic excuse for a warrior, perhaps you are no better than your Incubus lover after all....perhaps I should bend you over that rock and use you myself....are you sure there is no weak incubus blood in your veins....was your sire so impotent as well?" Kondor mused.

"Here was I hoping for a warrior to test and I get a weak mewling Ring Demon!"

He leaned against the rock wall and glared at Abigor.

"Meridior gets her magicker....and what do I end up with.....you.....how will you ever protect your precious silver haired prize?  When Meridior sleeps and he is defenceless.....I will have at him and make him moan.....you will just have to stand on the sidelines and watch like the defenceless demon spawn that you are!"

In the Tenth, Zenethor was in deep conversation with Ana when he felt it...weak....a call....from his Abigor.

It was being smothered, and his favoured sounded lost and confused, but he heard something else entwined with that message.

"Father?" He said in puzzled voice.

He looked to Ana, confusion and worry etched on his own weathered features.

"I do not understand....why would he be there Ana.....why is he with Sabre's grandmother?"

Sabre stayed silent no longer wishing to engage his grandmother in conversation, he waited until she was gone and then emerged from his space and walked further into the cave system.  He wanted to find somewhere where he and Abigor might sleep that was away from Meridior and Kondor. After a few few turns he found a cave that led onto another and decided it would do.

The magic he used was simple, he and his lover would have sleep on furs like savages, they appeared, thick deep and warm.  He supposed after the primal need they had displayed in their coupling perhaps it was fitting.  He sat down and thought on it, that time spent in that dirty room at the inn, the need Abigor had displayed, the dominance in their love making.  His face flushed warmly and he closed his eyes, it had felt so good, different to anything he had ever done with Flori.

He wished Abigor was here and not making small talk with Kondor or having some sort of macho contest.  He needed him....he wanted him....to do the things he did again...over and over.  His Incubus blood was hot right now, it had been kick started by Abigor and was in meltdown.

Sabre left his and Abigor's new quarters after a short while and undressed and stepped into the hot spring.  He needed to wash, to cleanse himself, and the hot water would do that, it was not like one of the baths he had at home but it would do.

He reached out as he relaxed to speak with Kora.

"Kora...old friend....we are well both of us...I will look to bring us both home as soon as I can...it was a mistake to come here." He said softly with his mind, hiding his communication in carefully woven magic.

"The Warp think they have used me....but I will use them....prepare for my coming...I will ride the wings of a storm."

Days had gone by and Abigor had become more remote from him by the hour, becoming more Kondor's willing pupil and less like the General Sabre knew and loved. Sabre himself had woven elaborate spells to keep both Meridior and Kondor from bothering him and he was alone and knew that he had to go back to the Tenth.  They would be worried back home, Zenethor, Ana, Kora and the rest.

Problem was Abigor was not going to leave and Sabre knew he could not fight all three of them.  He could ensorcel Meridior which would leave Abigor and Kondor to contend with.  The issue was going to be Kondor, the large Warp Demon hated Sabre with a special kind of loathing. Mainly because he was an incubus and he had such a low regard for that particular demon species and because he was spellcaster and not a warrior.  For this reason he had such his claws deep into Abigor to hurt Sabre especially deeply.

He knew he could use Rune magic to take Abigor out of the picture, 'Saparith' likely to take the General's strength to himself to allow him to take on Kondor.  If he made it out of the caves alive he would need to cast a portal and likely would likely drain what little strength he had left. 

He sat in the cave off of the main ones they inhabited, Abigor only came here when his needful lust was upon him which Sabre felt too emotionally weak to deny him.  He would take his pleasure roughly and then leave to go back to Kondor and train. Sabre made his plans, carefully shielded plans so as not to let the other three know his thoughts.  He did not even dare contact Kora....just in case they picked up on it.

Sabre made his way deeper into the cave system, far from the prying eyes of his grandmother or the sneers and comments of Kondor and the demanding desires of Abigor. He crawled through a small tunnel which opened out into a larger cave, it was huge, bigger than any cave he had ever seen in his forays.  There was a body of water to one end and what light shone down in weak pockets through vents in the rock above played off of the water illuminiating the area to some degree. 

Sabre moved forward cautiously, aware that anything could be residing down here and cursed as he walked into something hard and metallic in the gloom.  He kneeled down to inspect the object only to find it was a series of metal links, large, forming a chain.

"What is this?" The Daemon King said to himself softly.

His eyes travelled the length of the chain which disappeared into the darkness.

"Hello!" He called out, the hail bouncing off the walls in a resounding echo.

There ws a noise off to his left, a dragging of the links as if something was rising and pulling them as it did.

"Who are you...what do you want here?" Came a deep scratchy growl, it was as if it came from all around Sabre.

The Daemon turned, his dark eyes searching, his silver hair, pale in the weak light.

"What is your purpose here Daemon? Did she send you?"

Sabre took a breath.

"Do you mean Meridor? No....I seek escape from her and others....who are you?"

There was a deep chuckle and from the darkness in the recess of the cave emerged a large head, serpentine with glaring red eyes.

"Then we have something in common little silver haired Daemon.....something in common!"