Golden chains [Part 7]
>Part 6<
Chapter 7
His chambers were a mess and Kibum loved it. Jonghyun on the other hand was stressing his hair out. It was a bit comical. The noble even started to play a little. He asked Jonghyun to find things that did not exist. A ring with a scarab with rubies as eyes or a necklace with black jade and diamonds in the shape of a mountain cat.
Jonghyun was pouting at him while he giggled. "I'm sorry." But Jonghyun didn't believe him. Playing the game he stumped off to find some oils to take with them. Kibum didn't mean to be rude. But his mood was light and it made him in the mood to tease. But with nothing there to bully Kibum sign. The trunks were full of clothes and unnecessary stuff. Kibum picked up a useless paperweight and put it back on the table.
Something caught his eyes then. A piece of parchment that must have fluttered off the desk. It was now almost under the hay matt Jonghyun slept on. The lord cocked his head and picked it up. The folds were carefully make yet there was some mistakes that were corrected. Still it was not all symmetrical.
He pulled the creases apart and felt his eyebrows knit. "Dear mother..." He mouthed the words written in a big childlike scroll. "I have been well." He read with a bit of difficulty. "I am a personal servant to a gentle Lord." Kibum stopped. Did Jonghyun write this? A letter to his mother? The next line was crossed out and that was where the letter died. Kibum smiled. Jonghyun wanted to content his mother. The lady that has taught him so much. She must really mean a lot if Jonghyun still craved her into his life.
But it was not this letter it seemed. Jonghyun had deemed it not good enough. Otherwise it wouldn't be crumbled up under his bed. Still Kibum straightened it the most he could and placed it in a paper keeper. It would be funny to see how Jonghyun would improve in time.
"My lord." The door opened as said Lord turned around. Jonghyun was standing in the opening with a gentle smile. Kibum had told him to wear a tunic of Ivory with embroidered edge, the neckline low in a 'v'. It looked good on him and it was comfortable for today. Half a dozen servants followed him in. Taking the chests and trunks Kibum would take with him on the morrow. "It looks like I'm moving away." Kibum complained. Jonghyun came closer and fixed his collar that Kibum did not realise was off. "You will stay for a month, that is quite a bit." But that didn't mean that Kibum need all that gold they made him take. Yet still, there will be great feasts, and he was part of the royal family if you will. He had to go to impress.
"How long will the journey take?" Jonghyun asked. They had the entire room for themselves now. Yet Jonghyun insisted to stay close. It made his voice soft and made Kibum calm. "It 5 day by horse back." That wouldn't be too bad. Jonghyun would not be having another one of those moon turns travels again. Or from the lonely tower to his city. That was a long walk too.
"I have chosen Amin for you." Jonghyun looked up to Kibum. Why would he need a horse. "My lord, I don't understand." The slave said. Kibum looked back at him in confusion. "What do you not understand?" He asked and Jonghyun licked his lips just to distract Kibum. "Why do I need a horse?"
Kibum frowned. "To ride of course. I said it will be 5 days by horse back. What did you expect? Did you want to walk?" The noble man sat back down behind his desk and took a sheet of parchment. "I have never travelled on horse back, my lord." The slave muttered as if he was scared that it would insult his master. Kibum's eyes grew to a comical size. "How did you get here then in the first place?!"
He was innocent. Jonghyun smiled. "On blistering feet, my lord." But the joke was taken the wrong way. Kibum looked terrified. If it were for him, it would never be allowed. Jonghyun straightened Kibum's cloak lovingly. "I'm fine. It doesn't matter now." But his Lord still pouted. "Yet, I wonder if I will be now. I know how to walk, I just don't know how to ride..."
"You... Don't?”
There was no time to teach Jonghyun anything before. Thought it would not be to difficult. The horses were trained to stay in line. Yet next morning Jonghyun did try to get a deeper connection with the horse Kibum had gifted him. Jonghyun was good with amines and the steed soon has his nose pressed against the slave's chest. Kibum smiled at the scene. His own horse walking behind him. "He likes you. I thought you would be a good match." The young noble said. His own horse nudging his nose to get some love. The steed soon seem to take interest in the mare behind Kibum and left Jonghyun. "Am a bit nervous." He confessed. His Lord shook his head. "It is easy. I will teach you on the way. Plus, these two won't leave each other." It was true the horses seemed to almost hug. Bumping heads and huffing.
"As soon as Dalchin gets in heat, I will have Amin mount her." Kibum explained. "They will give strong foals." Jonghyun agreed. “My lord.” It was not his shadow speaking but another servant. “Your lord father wants a word with you before we part.” Kibum nodded and in a little line they walked back to the steps of the inner palace gate. The inner courtyard was busy. Servants were preparing the last details for the caravan to go. The horses of lesser lords and cartages with gifts to the new royalty staying here whilst the supplies and less important matters stayed outside the palace grounds.
Jonghyun looked behind him. The size was something that dazzled him. It was so much bigger than the one that took him here. It was so much richer too. Colour chariots and gold plated settles stood out of the crowd. Dalchin decorated in a dress with wealthy stones and silver headpiece. Kibum liked silver better for his horse. It would complement her white coat more.
“Father?” The lord was hiding from the sun. Servants standing behind him to hear any wish. “Kibum, before you go.” A gift was presented to the old lord. He opened the box as his son walked closer. Jonghyun couldn’t see it but his curiosity was short lived. Kibum gasped. “Father, it is beautiful.” He turned and let his father put the necklace around his neck. Jonghyun smiled despite himself. A cross pedant hang on his chest. The surface shimmering with diamonds white and black, white gold and a slate of black jade.
“Let it protect you from harm. And remember what he said. Try to befriend someone.” His father winked and Jonghyun was surprised that Kibum dared to roll his eyes. That was daring. But Kibum kissed his cheek all the same. “Off with you.” The young lord did so. Running down the stairs with Jonghyun following on the foot.
A Servant came to Jonghyun and he was handed his master’s cloak. The fabric light and white, a crown of gold, gentle and set with small rubies to keep it in place. Jonghyun nodded and took the cloth. "My lord.” He called, Kibum turned to him and smiled. The slave took that as the sign that he was allowed to continue. With a large movement he flung the light material over his shoulders. A hood covering his dark hair. Jonghyun crowned him, smiling to the young lord. No, now he was a little prince.
“Lets go!” Kibum called and there was a horn blowing somewhere. Jonghyun held Dalchin’s rains and Kibum got on with ease. “You too, Jonghyun.” But then Jonghyun got a little unsure. How did he get up. He had never done this. The chestnut horse moved a little, his ears turning back as if he could hear Jonghyun think.
“Put your left foot there.” Jonghyun looked back. Kibum was pointing at the metal hanging from the saddle. Jonghyun followed the order and did what he always saw his master do. He held the saddle and hoisted himself up. He swung his leg over the horse if not a bit clumsy and smiled. He was on a horse. It was his fist time and it was thrilling.
“Sit up.” Kibum was besides him and he noticed he was holding a whip ending in the colourful feathers of a peacock. “Press your knees against his body and your back straight. Your feet should be under your knees in an angle, just as I.” Jonghyun copied his master’s posture. Kibum gave him a stiff nod and turned his horse. At once Jonghyun stumbled when Amin followed. He was just not expecting that.
“Don’t worry about steering. Amin will follow me.” His lord said and he was right. The horse walked own his own. Neatly after Dalchin without an order, yet Jonghyun doubted it was the reason he was trained. Their journey just started.
~~~
It was hot. Oh, it was so hot. Jonghyun sighed. He had covered his own head with a light black cotton coat. It was not even shade for him. He was sweating and sticking to the leather saddle. It was getting painful. He thought that maybe be better to get off the horse and walk. Yet the sand looked terribly hot, he was wearing sandals. He was scared that he would get blistered right away. “Aren’t you boiling?” Jonghyun muttered to his animal. Not that he was going to get an answer anyways. He could see Kibum right between the dark ears of the horse.
His lord was alone, the head of the line. Jonghyun looked back. They had mastered a hill yet the caravan still did not end. The mounds of sand ahead did seem to end either. It was making Jonghyun grumble. Why would anyone want to live here? Why not live were the grass was fresh and the wind that passes didn’t burn. Sure, Jonghyun hadn’t felt cold. Never again he needed to curl up in a ball again. But this, he puffed up his cheeks.
He wanted to take a stroll in the cool corridors. He wanted to be drenched in water. Take a swim or just even a wash. But no, he needed to take any other four day of this torture. He had hated the first time he had travelled and he hated it now.
When night fell so did the temperature. Kibum had commanded the tents to be set before the last sun rays kissed the sand. Jonghyun couldn’t be more glad. He moved the flap of the tent with the side of his arm in order not to drop the water vessel. The copper bowl was large and heavy, chiselled out to have the head of a lion roaring. “My lord.” Jonghyun tried to hide his pant but his call was breathless.
Kibum was looking at a map, wondering where the road would take them. His face was dirty, stray sand tinting his usual white skin. He had a little blush but Jonghyun doubted that it was from anything that he said. His face was burning, not doubt he was not used to the strong sun. “Ah, I wish for a bath.” The younger lord begged.
Still he stood up and let Jonghyun undress him until his small clothes. “I wish the same. A cool palace too. How long until we find one?” He dared ask. “I hope to meet the white cliffs tomorrow at mid day. There it will get a lot cooler. There are a couple of passageways through them and with will get to the green lands on the third day. After that it an easy walk. We follow the creaks towards the great serpent’s river the island of the kings of the middle on it.”
Jonghyun cocked his head in his usual habit. His hands wetting the cloth and sponging all the sand off his lord’s body. “The royal family lives on an island?” His lord hummed. “It is manmade though. The river is big and The palace is protected like that. There were only a handful of bridges. But there is also a little dock on the grounds.”
“It must be beautiful.” The slave said softly. He was already so impressed with the place he lived in now. He couldn’t have imagined the royal castle. He must have been silly to expect anything less. “My chambers are bigger at home thought. And in the royal palace even you will get servants.” Jonghyun’s eyes grew. He would? Wait until his mother heard about that!
~~~
The night they spend was colder than Jonghyun would have thought it would. It was like when he was younger, with the snow had creeped down from the mountains and covered the grass with a soft blanket. But he really didn't remember much of these times. The cattle would snuggle close and so would he. He let the big herder dogs up and catch warmth with the coats. The dogs loved it when he let them sleep with them but he never liked it how easily they woke. Every time they heard a thing they would wake and with them Jonghyun. It took him so much longer to fall back asleep. He would be warm but tired.
Here he didn't have a dog, nor a fire. Jonghyun curled up, the sand under him acting like a bed. His body hurt the next morning and even his lordship looked tired.
"Did I keep you from your sleep?" Jonghyun asked worried when he served his master apples and flat bread with honey. Kibum shook his head. "I had forgotten how it felt to be cold." He shivered even by the thought.
Jonghyun smiled. "You said that by tomorrow we will reach the hills. If there are caves we could stoke a fire." The idea even pleased him and the Lord nodded to confirm his believe.
"Was it ever this cold where you come from?” Jonghyun nodded, He spoke the truth. He wanted to see the ever snowy peaks, the green hills an purple flowers but mostly he wanted to see his mother. Jonghyun. Sighed to himself not noticing Kibum studying his expression.
"My lord, here to see are Lord Baekyun from house Yu and Lord Taeyang of
house shim with their sons." Jonghyun paid the call no heed but Kibum took a big gulp of refreshing water before calling for them to enter. After all Jonghyun had a lot of things to pack. The tents had an extra exit luckily. That why while Kibum held an early meeting, Jonghyun and other servants could prepare the journey of the day.
The sun was still low in the East with they were a horse again. Kibum pressed to caravan, the day would be hot but they had hope to reach the shade soon enough. Jonghyun grumbled as Amin stumbled whiles he was trying to get up. But other than that the horse was good, following his mate as she swished her tail.
Kibum had no need for a map. It made Jonghyun wondering how many times his Lord had taken this route. He was started see where they were headed. A line of white, like a cloud hanging low in the sky.
But it grew, stretching as far as the eye could see. Kibum pulled out a funny tube and looked through it. Jonghyun wondered what that did. Whatever it did, It made the young Lord change course. He directed his horse, and she shook her mane. She listened though, heading down the bank they had been riding all day. Jonghyun pouted was it not easier to get closer to the cliffs to see where they could cross. But Jonghyun followed without a word, not that he had a chance. Amin sure was well trained.
When the sun passed his mid-point Jonghyun started to see were they were headed. It was a pillar, no wait. When they got closer Jonghyun started to see that there was something carved. He gasped when he finally realised it. A giant, a great big monster, a warrior. White and cut of stone he stared down, his eyes layer with red copper, burning his gaze at everyone that passed him. It frightened him. He had never seen something so big.
The warrior was carved out of the same white stone that build the wall before them. yet he towered over it; bearded and muscled, if the man would be real he could have been the strongest of them all. “That is Sin Rip. He was a general that rose this passageway to fame. When he throw off the attacking Mongin tribes and protected the capital. Even today he protects this way.”
Kibum told the tales amused when he saw that Jonghyun could not keep his eyes of him. “He must have been very strong.” He said, Amin speeding up his step to walk besides Dalchin. “He was, yet he died in battle not long after when the king pressed him north.” Kibum continued. He knew the history off by heart.
Jonghyun didn't know anything from the history of the kingdom he lives in. And now that the shade was shielding them from the sun and the passage way was wide enough to walk together, Jonghyun took his chance. He loved listing to stories and Kibum didn't seem to mind. How could Kibum even remember all those names, dates and places? Jonghyun was not even looking around him anymore. His eyes were trained on those pretty lips.
But Kibum pointed something out. High up in the cliffs were endless reliefs. "They are from the first men. They wrote their stories into the stone. There is a passage way there too but it is impossible to reach by horse. You should climb up since the staircase has since withered away."
Jonghyun gasped, it was true. Up there there where things that he could not fully see. A rim of people carved out of the rock. "Can we go up?" He asked innocently. Kibum giggled. "Not this time. We are on a schedule. But I have a book with the reliefs drawn in it." Jonghyun pouted. A book was never as impressive as the real thing. If he was right, the carving were as tall as him.
"What do they tell of?" Jonghyun questioned. Kibum looked up too, letting Dalchin find her own path. "A God that fell in love with a mortal girl. Yet the girl didn't love him back, only because she was scared. She knew that there was a secret. No matter what the God gave her, she only returned his feelings when he confessed who he really was." Kibum returned his sight to the path before it turned to Jonghyun. He realised that the slave had been staring at him.
"That is a beautiful story." Jonghyun said after a while and it made Kibum giggle. Of course Jonghyun would love it. It was a love story after all. Now that Kibum thought about it, it was a little relatable. After all men tried to woo him with gifts and promises but all he wanted was genuinely trust. He wanted someone that saw him more than just a price. He looked up again. Searching for the beautiful carving of the girl.
He shook his head, what a silly thought. He should not be relating himself to fairy tales. He looked at the path before him again. "We should look for a place to spend the night." He said out loud. There was a moment before a soft. "Yes, my lord." Followed.
~~~
As promised, they slept with the company of fire that night. Jonghyun had asked more questions than he could count and his lordship had already closed his eyes. Still his lips moved, recalling story after story. The volume of his voice growing heavy with sleep. It only cause Jonghyun to close in, attentively listing as Kibum fell into a slumber. The slave smiled. The coals flaming orange, desperate to find fuel to save its life. The grey smoke curling into itself, dancing under the starry night, escaping in the hole in the roof of the tent.
Jonghyun was laying besides him now, smiling at the words his lord was now saying. It was impossible to understand, slugging and missing parts. “My lord, sleep now.” The shadow said. The lord gave a last sleep drunken smile. “Ah, yes. I… I will tell you… later.” Jonghyun also found the sleep taking him. Last night had not been kind and now with the hot coals and the furs of his lords bed pressed against his chest he would not fight it. He didn’t even bother searching up his own place to sleep. Next to his master was where he belonged in the first place.
~~~
He didn’t know what woke him first. He had the idea that it was not yet time for his slumber to end. Yet something was holding him down, even if he wanted so dearly to move, to turn. It was a weight and when his eyes fluttered and he still saw the darkness he knew that it was unfair. He was warm, too warm. His body unable to deal with the temperature. His figure woke a little more, it was lopsided, like he was hanging off.
Wait he was, the surrounding feign to him, he must have rolled off the furs and now. Kibum’s breathe hitched; he had rolled off and into Jonghyun’s arms. The slave sleeping soundly, a soft smile on his lips. So close to his forehead. Kibum didn’t dare to move. It was all just a mistake. This was no ones fault. Somehow he could feel himself start to sweat. The night was dark but his eyes were now accustomed to them. And he had never seen Jonghyun so close. His skin a bit dry, irritated with the endless sun they had endured, he seemed to have broken his skin, blistering softly. Asking for attention, treatment, anything. His low nose bridge taking most of the damage.
Kibum should tell him to put some oils on it. Ask him to take better care of himself even if it was just a small detail. The lord bit his lip. Jonghyun’s lips looked dry and cracked, was he not drinking enough fluids? Not that Kibum thought about it. He never really saw Jonghyun eating or drinking anything. It was worrying him. He looked up, at least the wounds around his eyes had healed fine. The metal pierced there now looking like it was part of him.
He swallowed, he shouldn’t be here. It wasn’t his place. Hurriedly and without thinking too much, the young lord pushed away. He needed to get back on top of his furs and quickly. But he froze when Jonghyun grunted, sniffled and then sighed. Kibum looked but it seemed to be in the clear. Jonghyun scratched his stomach yet continued to snooze. He shouldn’t know about it. It would be Kibum’s little secret. He smiled to himself, despite all of it. It was really comfortable sleeping with someone.
>Part 8<
Chapter 7
His chambers were a mess and Kibum loved it. Jonghyun on the other hand was stressing his hair out. It was a bit comical. The noble even started to play a little. He asked Jonghyun to find things that did not exist. A ring with a scarab with rubies as eyes or a necklace with black jade and diamonds in the shape of a mountain cat.
Jonghyun was pouting at him while he giggled. "I'm sorry." But Jonghyun didn't believe him. Playing the game he stumped off to find some oils to take with them. Kibum didn't mean to be rude. But his mood was light and it made him in the mood to tease. But with nothing there to bully Kibum sign. The trunks were full of clothes and unnecessary stuff. Kibum picked up a useless paperweight and put it back on the table.
Something caught his eyes then. A piece of parchment that must have fluttered off the desk. It was now almost under the hay matt Jonghyun slept on. The lord cocked his head and picked it up. The folds were carefully make yet there was some mistakes that were corrected. Still it was not all symmetrical.
He pulled the creases apart and felt his eyebrows knit. "Dear mother..." He mouthed the words written in a big childlike scroll. "I have been well." He read with a bit of difficulty. "I am a personal servant to a gentle Lord." Kibum stopped. Did Jonghyun write this? A letter to his mother? The next line was crossed out and that was where the letter died. Kibum smiled. Jonghyun wanted to content his mother. The lady that has taught him so much. She must really mean a lot if Jonghyun still craved her into his life.
But it was not this letter it seemed. Jonghyun had deemed it not good enough. Otherwise it wouldn't be crumbled up under his bed. Still Kibum straightened it the most he could and placed it in a paper keeper. It would be funny to see how Jonghyun would improve in time.
"My lord." The door opened as said Lord turned around. Jonghyun was standing in the opening with a gentle smile. Kibum had told him to wear a tunic of Ivory with embroidered edge, the neckline low in a 'v'. It looked good on him and it was comfortable for today. Half a dozen servants followed him in. Taking the chests and trunks Kibum would take with him on the morrow. "It looks like I'm moving away." Kibum complained. Jonghyun came closer and fixed his collar that Kibum did not realise was off. "You will stay for a month, that is quite a bit." But that didn't mean that Kibum need all that gold they made him take. Yet still, there will be great feasts, and he was part of the royal family if you will. He had to go to impress.
"How long will the journey take?" Jonghyun asked. They had the entire room for themselves now. Yet Jonghyun insisted to stay close. It made his voice soft and made Kibum calm. "It 5 day by horse back." That wouldn't be too bad. Jonghyun would not be having another one of those moon turns travels again. Or from the lonely tower to his city. That was a long walk too.
"I have chosen Amin for you." Jonghyun looked up to Kibum. Why would he need a horse. "My lord, I don't understand." The slave said. Kibum looked back at him in confusion. "What do you not understand?" He asked and Jonghyun licked his lips just to distract Kibum. "Why do I need a horse?"
Kibum frowned. "To ride of course. I said it will be 5 days by horse back. What did you expect? Did you want to walk?" The noble man sat back down behind his desk and took a sheet of parchment. "I have never travelled on horse back, my lord." The slave muttered as if he was scared that it would insult his master. Kibum's eyes grew to a comical size. "How did you get here then in the first place?!"
He was innocent. Jonghyun smiled. "On blistering feet, my lord." But the joke was taken the wrong way. Kibum looked terrified. If it were for him, it would never be allowed. Jonghyun straightened Kibum's cloak lovingly. "I'm fine. It doesn't matter now." But his Lord still pouted. "Yet, I wonder if I will be now. I know how to walk, I just don't know how to ride..."
"You... Don't?”
There was no time to teach Jonghyun anything before. Thought it would not be to difficult. The horses were trained to stay in line. Yet next morning Jonghyun did try to get a deeper connection with the horse Kibum had gifted him. Jonghyun was good with amines and the steed soon has his nose pressed against the slave's chest. Kibum smiled at the scene. His own horse walking behind him. "He likes you. I thought you would be a good match." The young noble said. His own horse nudging his nose to get some love. The steed soon seem to take interest in the mare behind Kibum and left Jonghyun. "Am a bit nervous." He confessed. His Lord shook his head. "It is easy. I will teach you on the way. Plus, these two won't leave each other." It was true the horses seemed to almost hug. Bumping heads and huffing.
"As soon as Dalchin gets in heat, I will have Amin mount her." Kibum explained. "They will give strong foals." Jonghyun agreed. “My lord.” It was not his shadow speaking but another servant. “Your lord father wants a word with you before we part.” Kibum nodded and in a little line they walked back to the steps of the inner palace gate. The inner courtyard was busy. Servants were preparing the last details for the caravan to go. The horses of lesser lords and cartages with gifts to the new royalty staying here whilst the supplies and less important matters stayed outside the palace grounds.
Jonghyun looked behind him. The size was something that dazzled him. It was so much bigger than the one that took him here. It was so much richer too. Colour chariots and gold plated settles stood out of the crowd. Dalchin decorated in a dress with wealthy stones and silver headpiece. Kibum liked silver better for his horse. It would complement her white coat more.
“Father?” The lord was hiding from the sun. Servants standing behind him to hear any wish. “Kibum, before you go.” A gift was presented to the old lord. He opened the box as his son walked closer. Jonghyun couldn’t see it but his curiosity was short lived. Kibum gasped. “Father, it is beautiful.” He turned and let his father put the necklace around his neck. Jonghyun smiled despite himself. A cross pedant hang on his chest. The surface shimmering with diamonds white and black, white gold and a slate of black jade.
“Let it protect you from harm. And remember what he said. Try to befriend someone.” His father winked and Jonghyun was surprised that Kibum dared to roll his eyes. That was daring. But Kibum kissed his cheek all the same. “Off with you.” The young lord did so. Running down the stairs with Jonghyun following on the foot.
A Servant came to Jonghyun and he was handed his master’s cloak. The fabric light and white, a crown of gold, gentle and set with small rubies to keep it in place. Jonghyun nodded and took the cloth. "My lord.” He called, Kibum turned to him and smiled. The slave took that as the sign that he was allowed to continue. With a large movement he flung the light material over his shoulders. A hood covering his dark hair. Jonghyun crowned him, smiling to the young lord. No, now he was a little prince.
“Lets go!” Kibum called and there was a horn blowing somewhere. Jonghyun held Dalchin’s rains and Kibum got on with ease. “You too, Jonghyun.” But then Jonghyun got a little unsure. How did he get up. He had never done this. The chestnut horse moved a little, his ears turning back as if he could hear Jonghyun think.
“Put your left foot there.” Jonghyun looked back. Kibum was pointing at the metal hanging from the saddle. Jonghyun followed the order and did what he always saw his master do. He held the saddle and hoisted himself up. He swung his leg over the horse if not a bit clumsy and smiled. He was on a horse. It was his fist time and it was thrilling.
“Sit up.” Kibum was besides him and he noticed he was holding a whip ending in the colourful feathers of a peacock. “Press your knees against his body and your back straight. Your feet should be under your knees in an angle, just as I.” Jonghyun copied his master’s posture. Kibum gave him a stiff nod and turned his horse. At once Jonghyun stumbled when Amin followed. He was just not expecting that.
“Don’t worry about steering. Amin will follow me.” His lord said and he was right. The horse walked own his own. Neatly after Dalchin without an order, yet Jonghyun doubted it was the reason he was trained. Their journey just started.
~~~
It was hot. Oh, it was so hot. Jonghyun sighed. He had covered his own head with a light black cotton coat. It was not even shade for him. He was sweating and sticking to the leather saddle. It was getting painful. He thought that maybe be better to get off the horse and walk. Yet the sand looked terribly hot, he was wearing sandals. He was scared that he would get blistered right away. “Aren’t you boiling?” Jonghyun muttered to his animal. Not that he was going to get an answer anyways. He could see Kibum right between the dark ears of the horse.
His lord was alone, the head of the line. Jonghyun looked back. They had mastered a hill yet the caravan still did not end. The mounds of sand ahead did seem to end either. It was making Jonghyun grumble. Why would anyone want to live here? Why not live were the grass was fresh and the wind that passes didn’t burn. Sure, Jonghyun hadn’t felt cold. Never again he needed to curl up in a ball again. But this, he puffed up his cheeks.
He wanted to take a stroll in the cool corridors. He wanted to be drenched in water. Take a swim or just even a wash. But no, he needed to take any other four day of this torture. He had hated the first time he had travelled and he hated it now.
When night fell so did the temperature. Kibum had commanded the tents to be set before the last sun rays kissed the sand. Jonghyun couldn’t be more glad. He moved the flap of the tent with the side of his arm in order not to drop the water vessel. The copper bowl was large and heavy, chiselled out to have the head of a lion roaring. “My lord.” Jonghyun tried to hide his pant but his call was breathless.
Kibum was looking at a map, wondering where the road would take them. His face was dirty, stray sand tinting his usual white skin. He had a little blush but Jonghyun doubted that it was from anything that he said. His face was burning, not doubt he was not used to the strong sun. “Ah, I wish for a bath.” The younger lord begged.
Still he stood up and let Jonghyun undress him until his small clothes. “I wish the same. A cool palace too. How long until we find one?” He dared ask. “I hope to meet the white cliffs tomorrow at mid day. There it will get a lot cooler. There are a couple of passageways through them and with will get to the green lands on the third day. After that it an easy walk. We follow the creaks towards the great serpent’s river the island of the kings of the middle on it.”
Jonghyun cocked his head in his usual habit. His hands wetting the cloth and sponging all the sand off his lord’s body. “The royal family lives on an island?” His lord hummed. “It is manmade though. The river is big and The palace is protected like that. There were only a handful of bridges. But there is also a little dock on the grounds.”
“It must be beautiful.” The slave said softly. He was already so impressed with the place he lived in now. He couldn’t have imagined the royal castle. He must have been silly to expect anything less. “My chambers are bigger at home thought. And in the royal palace even you will get servants.” Jonghyun’s eyes grew. He would? Wait until his mother heard about that!
~~~
The night they spend was colder than Jonghyun would have thought it would. It was like when he was younger, with the snow had creeped down from the mountains and covered the grass with a soft blanket. But he really didn't remember much of these times. The cattle would snuggle close and so would he. He let the big herder dogs up and catch warmth with the coats. The dogs loved it when he let them sleep with them but he never liked it how easily they woke. Every time they heard a thing they would wake and with them Jonghyun. It took him so much longer to fall back asleep. He would be warm but tired.
Here he didn't have a dog, nor a fire. Jonghyun curled up, the sand under him acting like a bed. His body hurt the next morning and even his lordship looked tired.
"Did I keep you from your sleep?" Jonghyun asked worried when he served his master apples and flat bread with honey. Kibum shook his head. "I had forgotten how it felt to be cold." He shivered even by the thought.
Jonghyun smiled. "You said that by tomorrow we will reach the hills. If there are caves we could stoke a fire." The idea even pleased him and the Lord nodded to confirm his believe.
"Was it ever this cold where you come from?” Jonghyun nodded, He spoke the truth. He wanted to see the ever snowy peaks, the green hills an purple flowers but mostly he wanted to see his mother. Jonghyun. Sighed to himself not noticing Kibum studying his expression.
"My lord, here to see are Lord Baekyun from house Yu and Lord Taeyang of
house shim with their sons." Jonghyun paid the call no heed but Kibum took a big gulp of refreshing water before calling for them to enter. After all Jonghyun had a lot of things to pack. The tents had an extra exit luckily. That why while Kibum held an early meeting, Jonghyun and other servants could prepare the journey of the day.
The sun was still low in the East with they were a horse again. Kibum pressed to caravan, the day would be hot but they had hope to reach the shade soon enough. Jonghyun grumbled as Amin stumbled whiles he was trying to get up. But other than that the horse was good, following his mate as she swished her tail.
Kibum had no need for a map. It made Jonghyun wondering how many times his Lord had taken this route. He was started see where they were headed. A line of white, like a cloud hanging low in the sky.
But it grew, stretching as far as the eye could see. Kibum pulled out a funny tube and looked through it. Jonghyun wondered what that did. Whatever it did, It made the young Lord change course. He directed his horse, and she shook her mane. She listened though, heading down the bank they had been riding all day. Jonghyun pouted was it not easier to get closer to the cliffs to see where they could cross. But Jonghyun followed without a word, not that he had a chance. Amin sure was well trained.
When the sun passed his mid-point Jonghyun started to see were they were headed. It was a pillar, no wait. When they got closer Jonghyun started to see that there was something carved. He gasped when he finally realised it. A giant, a great big monster, a warrior. White and cut of stone he stared down, his eyes layer with red copper, burning his gaze at everyone that passed him. It frightened him. He had never seen something so big.
The warrior was carved out of the same white stone that build the wall before them. yet he towered over it; bearded and muscled, if the man would be real he could have been the strongest of them all. “That is Sin Rip. He was a general that rose this passageway to fame. When he throw off the attacking Mongin tribes and protected the capital. Even today he protects this way.”
Kibum told the tales amused when he saw that Jonghyun could not keep his eyes of him. “He must have been very strong.” He said, Amin speeding up his step to walk besides Dalchin. “He was, yet he died in battle not long after when the king pressed him north.” Kibum continued. He knew the history off by heart.
Jonghyun didn't know anything from the history of the kingdom he lives in. And now that the shade was shielding them from the sun and the passage way was wide enough to walk together, Jonghyun took his chance. He loved listing to stories and Kibum didn't seem to mind. How could Kibum even remember all those names, dates and places? Jonghyun was not even looking around him anymore. His eyes were trained on those pretty lips.
But Kibum pointed something out. High up in the cliffs were endless reliefs. "They are from the first men. They wrote their stories into the stone. There is a passage way there too but it is impossible to reach by horse. You should climb up since the staircase has since withered away."
Jonghyun gasped, it was true. Up there there where things that he could not fully see. A rim of people carved out of the rock. "Can we go up?" He asked innocently. Kibum giggled. "Not this time. We are on a schedule. But I have a book with the reliefs drawn in it." Jonghyun pouted. A book was never as impressive as the real thing. If he was right, the carving were as tall as him.
"What do they tell of?" Jonghyun questioned. Kibum looked up too, letting Dalchin find her own path. "A God that fell in love with a mortal girl. Yet the girl didn't love him back, only because she was scared. She knew that there was a secret. No matter what the God gave her, she only returned his feelings when he confessed who he really was." Kibum returned his sight to the path before it turned to Jonghyun. He realised that the slave had been staring at him.
"That is a beautiful story." Jonghyun said after a while and it made Kibum giggle. Of course Jonghyun would love it. It was a love story after all. Now that Kibum thought about it, it was a little relatable. After all men tried to woo him with gifts and promises but all he wanted was genuinely trust. He wanted someone that saw him more than just a price. He looked up again. Searching for the beautiful carving of the girl.
He shook his head, what a silly thought. He should not be relating himself to fairy tales. He looked at the path before him again. "We should look for a place to spend the night." He said out loud. There was a moment before a soft. "Yes, my lord." Followed.
~~~
As promised, they slept with the company of fire that night. Jonghyun had asked more questions than he could count and his lordship had already closed his eyes. Still his lips moved, recalling story after story. The volume of his voice growing heavy with sleep. It only cause Jonghyun to close in, attentively listing as Kibum fell into a slumber. The slave smiled. The coals flaming orange, desperate to find fuel to save its life. The grey smoke curling into itself, dancing under the starry night, escaping in the hole in the roof of the tent.
Jonghyun was laying besides him now, smiling at the words his lord was now saying. It was impossible to understand, slugging and missing parts. “My lord, sleep now.” The shadow said. The lord gave a last sleep drunken smile. “Ah, yes. I… I will tell you… later.” Jonghyun also found the sleep taking him. Last night had not been kind and now with the hot coals and the furs of his lords bed pressed against his chest he would not fight it. He didn’t even bother searching up his own place to sleep. Next to his master was where he belonged in the first place.
~~~
He didn’t know what woke him first. He had the idea that it was not yet time for his slumber to end. Yet something was holding him down, even if he wanted so dearly to move, to turn. It was a weight and when his eyes fluttered and he still saw the darkness he knew that it was unfair. He was warm, too warm. His body unable to deal with the temperature. His figure woke a little more, it was lopsided, like he was hanging off.
Wait he was, the surrounding feign to him, he must have rolled off the furs and now. Kibum’s breathe hitched; he had rolled off and into Jonghyun’s arms. The slave sleeping soundly, a soft smile on his lips. So close to his forehead. Kibum didn’t dare to move. It was all just a mistake. This was no ones fault. Somehow he could feel himself start to sweat. The night was dark but his eyes were now accustomed to them. And he had never seen Jonghyun so close. His skin a bit dry, irritated with the endless sun they had endured, he seemed to have broken his skin, blistering softly. Asking for attention, treatment, anything. His low nose bridge taking most of the damage.
Kibum should tell him to put some oils on it. Ask him to take better care of himself even if it was just a small detail. The lord bit his lip. Jonghyun’s lips looked dry and cracked, was he not drinking enough fluids? Not that Kibum thought about it. He never really saw Jonghyun eating or drinking anything. It was worrying him. He looked up, at least the wounds around his eyes had healed fine. The metal pierced there now looking like it was part of him.
He swallowed, he shouldn’t be here. It wasn’t his place. Hurriedly and without thinking too much, the young lord pushed away. He needed to get back on top of his furs and quickly. But he froze when Jonghyun grunted, sniffled and then sighed. Kibum looked but it seemed to be in the clear. Jonghyun scratched his stomach yet continued to snooze. He shouldn’t know about it. It would be Kibum’s little secret. He smiled to himself, despite all of it. It was really comfortable sleeping with someone.
>Part 8<