Chapter 11

The princes were already at the training field when the knights arrived the next morning. They sat side by side on the railing that surrounded the dusty outside arena, dressed and ready to go, enjoying the warm sunshine and sharing the morning's gossip with one of their guards.

"Early twice in a row. I'm impressed," Michael complimented them as he and David walked up.

"Have you heard about D'Achelle and D'Vrey?" Ty demanded as the guard quietly excused himself.

"We heard they had some kind of parasite," David replied cautiously, leaning against the railing next to his prince.

"Some kind of bloodsucking parasite," Ky chortled. "Jasef said someone told him they were avida ticks"

"Avila," Ty corrected him. "Have you ever heard of them, David?"

The knight quickly considered it and decided that denying knowledge of them would be more suspicious than a brief explanation. "They're a desert tick, native to Samarcia," he told the princes. "The eggs lie dormant until they're exposed to a warm, moist environment. Then they hatch and become active, feeding and laying more eggs."

"They definitely found a warm, moist environment," the prince laughed. "We heard they were sucking the blood from the men's balls."

"We heard that part, too," Michael said with a grin. "Poor men."

"Couldn't have happened to a nicer pair." Ty wrinkled his nose. "Seems like divine retribution, doesn't it?"

David choked back a laugh and Ty looked at him inquiringly. "Something in my throat," the knight explained. "So did they get them all off?"

"Yeah. Jasef told us they called the court physician and he ended up pulling them off by hand, one by one, while the men screamed bloody murder." Ky took up the tale, shuddering gleefully. "Then they had to shave the whole pubic area and wash out all the bites with alcohol. And they still might get infected."

"Gods, if I were them, I'd retire to the country and not come back until people had forgotten about it." Ty grinned.

"They'd never come back, then," Ky laughed. "Because the court is *never* going to forget this one."

"This has to be one of the best practical jokes in history," Ty agreed.

"They think it's a practical joke?" David asked nonchalantly. "Not an accident of some kind?"

"Jasef said someone put them in their clothes chests. Isn't that great? Somebody has a very twisted sense of humor," he laughed.

"We'd better not find out you had anything to do with it," Michael warned him sternly.

"We didn't have anything to do with it at all," Ky protested indignantly. "We don't know anything about avida ticks."

"Avila," Ty corrected again, then added wistfully, "I wish we had, though."

"Ty'lin!" David tried to sound shocked.

"Well, wouldn't you?" the prince asked defensively. "It was a fantastic prank. We wish we'd thought of something that good. What's wrong with that?"

Michael started to explain what was wrong with it, then realized he was on shaky ground here. "Why don't we go inside and get started?" he suggested instead.

~~~~~~~~

Michael drifted quietly out into the courtyard garden, looking for a dark, isolated corner. He found a spot where the noise from the Great Hall was distant and muted, and leaned against the stone wall pensively, relishing the cool evening air and the light fragrance of the night-blooming flowers. David could keep an eye on the princes for a few minutes, he thought, massaging his temples. He needed a break. The constant, repetitious social activity was beginning to wear on him, reminding him why he'd abandoned it for the nomadic life of a mercenary. "Could he live with this every day for the rest of his life?" he wondered dismally. "On the other hand, could he abandon it again, if it meant leaving his prince as well?"

"YOU!" The venomous voice behind him was filled with loathing.

"Gods, now what?" the dark-haired knight thought wearily as he turned to see who was interrupting his melancholy thoughts.

"Sir Thomas," he said calmly. "Is there a problem?"

The gossip that day had not been kind to the two queen's men. Their friends and associates were distancing themselves, while their enemies were relishing the situation and embellishing the story with every telling. Rumor had it that D'Achelle, unable to face the embarrassment and humiliation any longer, had already left for an extended tour of his family's estates. D'Vrey was apparently made from stronger material, but he was obviously suffering from his social ostracism. The normally debonair, self-assured bully was gone; his usually impeccable dress was wrinkled and untidy, his elegantly curled hair disheveled.

"Don't pretend innocence with me!" the man snarled viciously, advancing on him threateningly. "You've ruined my life! I should kill you right now!"

Michael sighed. Why did this always happen to him and not David? And why now? Couldn't the man wait until morning, when he was fresh and his head didn't hurt quite so badly? "Why would you want to do that? What have I ever done to you?" he asked reasonably.

"Those- those ticks, those *vermin*! You put them in my clothes chest! It had to be you. You were there, in the hall, where you had no right to be, and there was no page from the queen. She never sent for me. You pretended she had because you wanted me out of the way!"

Michael sighed again. This wasn't doing his headache any good at all. "First, Sir Thomas, you saw me in the hall, not in your chamber, and I have every right to be in that hall; it's a public corridor in the bachelor's wing. Second, I could have been mistaken about the name. I told you that at the time. Third, why the hell would I want to embarrass or humiliate you? I hardly know you."

"I don't know why, but there has to be a reason!" the man raged, sure of his ground. "And I'll find out what it is. I won't rest until you're exposed for the barbarian that you are!"

"If it occupies your time and makes you happy, go right ahead," Michael replied, feigning boredom. "But you won't find anything; there's nothing there for you to find. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go back inside, where it's quieter."

"This isn't over!" D'Vrey shouted as the knight walked away. "Nobody treats me like that and gets away with it! I'm going to find the proof and take it to the queen. Then you'll be sorry! "

Michael entered the crowded Hall and paused, automatically looking for Ky's dark hair and dress. The tailors hadn't had a chance to amend fashion yet and the immense chamber was still a sea of bright colors, although the princes' faction was already toning down their wardrobes as much as they could. Michael was amused to see several tunics that looked as if they had hastily had their hems let down and decorated with narrow rows of trim.

It took a few moments, but he finally spotted both twins laughing among a group of similarly braided individuals. Good. They should be safe and out of trouble there for a few minutes. Now to locate David. They needed to have a talk.

"Sir David!"

David looked away from the attractive young woman he was conversing with and bit back a groan.

"Your Grace." He crossed to where she stood beckoning him, and bowed slightly, trying to avoid looking down her gown. Apparently she had decided to brazen out the change in fashion, for she wore her usual provocative dress, this time in shades of green.

"I haven't seen you the past few days," she began in an alluring voice, laying her hand on his arm. "I'm beginning to think that you're avoiding me for some reason."

That was exactly what he'd been doing, but David resisted the urge to tell her so. "I've been busy, Your Majesty," he said politely. "My partner and I have taken positions with the Weapons Master, and it leaves little time for dallying."

"Then give up the position," she demanded, then, with an effort, moderated her tone. "Surely you would rather spend the time with those more your equals, wouldn't you?"

David thought of, and discarded, several replies before settling on, "I'm a knight, Your Grace. Weapons are my stock-in-trade and I need to maintain my skill."

"Perhaps you should consider a different calling. Perhaps that of a gentleman-in-waiting?" she purred, coyly walking her fingers up his arm. "I'm sure that you could handle the duties very well."

"I don't think His Majesty has any openings right now," David replied obtusely, and almost smiled at the look of exasperation that crossed her face.

"Not the king," she snapped, then moderated her tone again. "I was referring to myself," she cooed. "I'm thinking of making room for two new gentlemen in my retinue. I believe you and your friend would be most suitable."

"Me, Your Grace?" David gaped stupidly, an expression that wasn't altogether pretense. "Hell," he thought. "Now what do I do??" "I appreciate the honor," he said out loud, "but I'm just a simple knight. I don't think I'm qualified for the position."

"Oh, I'm sure you have all the right qualifications," she purred, squeezing his arm suggestively.

He started to reply, then caught sight of Michael through the crowd. "If you'll excuse me, I think I see my friend. I'll go tell him of your offer right away," he volunteered, and escaped before she could say any more.

The queen looked after him in satisfaction. It was about time he showed some eagerness.

"David, we need to talk," Michael said softly as the blond knight reached him, and they made their way to a quiet corner. "We could have a problem."

"You know what she wanted?" David asked in surprise.

"What who wanted?"

"Uh-oh. I think we have two problems." David sighed. "You're not talking about the queen, are you?"

"No, I'm talking about D'Vrey. He's figured out that we're responsible for the ticks, and he's looking for proof. That's going to make it a lot harder to keep our relationships with the princes a secret."

"The queen wants to add us to her stable- er, entourage."

"What??" Michael yelped in disbelief. "Did you tell her no?"

"Shhh!" David warned him as several people turned to stare at them. "I was trying. She doesn't seem to take hints very well."

"All right, I think we need to talk about this somewhere more private." Michael ran his hand through his hair wearily. "Why don't we meet in my chamber before we go up to the princes' quarters?"

"That's a good idea," David replied. "But we shouldn't leave together. I'll meet you there a little later, all right?"

Michael was lying on his bed with a cool, damp cloth on his forehead when David came in a candlemark later.

"You took your time, didn't you?" he asked pettishly.

"Sorry. I thought I'd better wait until the princes left."

"No, I'm sorry," Michael apologized, sitting up and dropping the cloth back on the washstand. "I'm not in a very good mood tonight."

"Aren't you feeling well? Should I call a physician?" his friend asked anxiously. "Perhaps this should wait until tomorrow."

"No, it's all right. I stopped and saw one on my way back here. He gave me a headache powder and I'm feeling better now." He briefly explained his confrontation with D'Vrey, then listened as David recounted his conversation with the queen.

"What are we going to do?" David asked when he'd finished. "D'Vrey isn't going to be able to prove anything about the ticks, but if he starts poking around, it's going to be a lot harder to hide our time with the princes. Not to mention what's going to happen if you don't get the queen off my back."

"I don't think it's your back she's interested in," Michael said dryly.

"And what do you think will happen when Ty figures that out?" David demanded. "And since she included you in her little scheme, Ky is going to feel the same way."

Michael blanched at the thought. "We need a new plan."

~~~~~~~~

"Well?" David asked as soon as he saw Michael the next morning. "Have you thought of anything yet?"

"Maybe. Let me get something to eat and then let's go somewhere that we won't be overheard."

"The Royal Guards' barracks should be empty. They're all either on duty or at breakfast themselves."

By common consent, they avoided the main hall and instead went to the castle's huge, cavernous kitchen. It was crowded with overworked servants darting here and there with heavy trays and pitchers, none of whom had time to provide breakfast for a pair of lowly knights. Michael found a spot out of the way and watched with amusement as David charmed a kitchenmaid out of two freshly baked loaves of bread, as well as meat, cheese, and apples.

"You didn't get anything to drink," he pointed out as the blond knight came back with his bounty.

"I thought I'd let you get it," David explained magnanimously. "I know how you feel about contributing your share."

"There'll be ale in the barracks," Michael replied. "Let's go before someone stops us and wants something."

The barracks' master-at-arms room was empty and David dumped their food on the scarred and battered table while Michael found two relatively clean tankards and filled them with ale.

"What's the plan?" the blond knight asked again as he split the food in half and slid one pile in front of his friend.

"I thought about it a lot during the night," Michael began, then paused to hollow out the center of his bread and stuff it with slices of meat and cheese.

"And you came up with a way to divert D'Vrey and the queen, right?" David asked.

"No."

"No?" David put down the bread he had been tearing in half, filled with dismay.

"No. Secrecy was important when we came up with this plan, but it doesn't serve a purpose anymore. I think our best option now is to talk to the king and be publically declared the princes' Champions. After that, it won't matter what D'Vrey finds out and it puts us firmly in the princes' camp, which will take care of the problem with the queen, as well."

"You want to tell him that we're here to fuck his sons?" David asked in amazement.

"No, I want to tell him that we *have* fucked his sons," Michael replied. "We're going to bed them first. That way we'll know they're safe, no matter what happens, and it provides a margin of safety for us as well."

"How?" David asked skeptically.

"The dragon's challenge says that the champion has to take it and claim it. That means if we're the ones to take their virginity, we have to be the ones to make the claim. We'll have to be present when they face the dragon."

"Make sure you tell the king that *before* we end up chained to the wall," David warned him pessimistically. "When are we going to do it?"

"Tonight, I think."

"I don't know, Michael. I'm not sure Ty is ready."

"I'm not sure Ky is, either, but I don't think we can afford to wait any longer."

~~~~~

Ty lay back on his bed, dark silk robe belted around him, and watched his lover undress. His nervous gaze swept down the strong muscular chest, the flat abdomen, the trail of fine blond hair that ran from the deep navel down to the full, heavy cock, and he swallowed convulsively. Normally eager, he was suddenly hesitant and unsure of himself. He closed his eyes and crossed his arms, hugging himself, unaware that David had moved until he felt a strong arm encircling him, pulling him into the broad chest.

"I can't," he whispered miserably as he buried his face in the knight's shoulder.

"Yes, you can, my sweet," David whispered, stroking the dark hair lovingly. "We'll do it together."

~~~~~~~~~

"I'm scared," Ky was softly admitting in the other bedchamber.

"Bring me your brush," Michael told him, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Ky went to get his brush, puzzled by the command but not protesting, automatically kneeling with his back to the dark-haired knight as he handed it over.

"We'll go slowly and carefully, I promise," Michael reassured him as he loosened the thick, heavy braid and ran his fingers through it.

"Will it hurt?" Ky asked a few moments later.

"Maybe a little," Michael told him honestly, "but not much and not for long. And after this, it will only get better." He began brushing the ebony waterfall in long gentle strokes, letting the familiar ritual soothe the young man. When Ky was relaxed and tranquil, he laid the brush down and replaited the hair into a long, loose braid.

The young prince turned and, laying his hands on the knight's knees, kissed him. "I love you," he said simply.

Michael leaned down, cupped the upturned face in his hands, and returned the kiss with another one, long and slow and ardent. When he had finished the prince's eyes were glazed and he leaned wantonly into the knight's embrace. Satisfied with the reaction, Michael slid the silken robe off the young man's shoulders, letting it pool on the floor around him, then lifted him to the bed. "Lay back, relax, and let me do the work," he ordered softly. "I'll tell you if I need you to move."

Ky nodded hesitantly. "I want this," he murmured uncertainly. "But..."

Michael smiled reassuringly. "I know, my small one. I remember my first time. Raise up a little for me, all right?" He tucked a pillow under the small, firm butt, and then trailed a line of butterfly kisses from his navel down to the soft thatch of dark curls.

"Oh, gods, Michael," Ky groaned with pleasure, feeling his cock rise at the touch of that sensual mouth against his bare skin.

Lying down next to the younger man, the knight gently rolled on top of him. Taking most of his weight on his elbows, Michael eased his legs between Ky's. "Spread them for me, babe," he whispered softly, following the command with yet another kiss, his tongue flicking against the young man's lips, coaxing entry.

Ky opened eagerly, welcoming him, and the knight began an assault on the young man's fear and hesitation, licking, suckling, and nibbling up and down his body until he was dazed with passion, mindlessly whimpering for more.

Finally, he sat back, kneeling between Ky's legs. Taking a small vial from the bedside table and opening it, he poured a small amount of oil into his cupped hand and quickly coated his cock. "Bend your knees for me, love," he ordered gently as he made sure his fingers were well lubricated.

Ky slowly and almost bashfully raised and bent his knees, exposing himself to the older man. "You're beautiful, my babe," Michael whispered, planting a kiss on one silky thigh. He used one hand to prepare the young man, teasing and probing the dark opening, while he used the other to caress the hard, weeping cock.

"Oh, gods, Michael," Ky moaned, lost in ecstasy.

"Put your legs over my shoulders, love," the knight directed softly.

As his lover complied, Michael eased himself against the tight entrance and, using his finger as a guide, entered the young man.

Ky hissed and the knight immediately froze, "All right, love?" he asked, halting the slow penetration. "Do you need me to pull out?"

"N-no. I-it's--" Ky whispered uncertainly, trying to find words to describe the sensation. "I don't know if I can do this," he whispered as his muscles contracted around the hard, thick invader, automatically trying to expel it. A thin sheen of sweat broke out on his chest as his body slowly adjusted and then relaxed into the sensation.

Michael held still as best he could, fascinated by the play of emotions and expressions on Ky's face. "All right now, love?" he asked finally.

"Yeah, I'm good now. Just …." his voice trailed off as Michael slowly pushed deeper inside of him. "Ahhhh!" he cried out as a jolt of pleasure coursed through him.

~~~~~~~~

"Lie down on your stomach, over the pillow." David patted the firm, rounded butt.

As Ty complied, he knelt next to the prone figure and poured a small pool of oil into his palm, inhaling the fresh spicy scent of sandalwood as he waited for it to warm. Rubbing his hands together he placed them on either side of the firm spine and let them rest for a minute, letting Ty get accustomed to his touch before he began spreading the oil, gently stroking up the center and down the sides, keeping the motion smooth and even, working his way up and down the straight, even back until he felt the tension drain away

"Are you comfortable, babe?" he asked at last, leaning down over the young man and kissing the back of his neck.

Ty gave a contented sigh. "Very. I don't want to move."

"Good, because I don't want you to," David replied, and began licking and nipping a path down the naked back. Ignoring the small moans and the occasional shiver that came from the body under his, he kept going until he reached his goal. "Spread your legs for me, love," he whispered as he separated the creamy spheres with his fingers, exposing Ty's most private part to his exploring mouth. He flicked it delicately with his tongue, then probed it gently before blowing lightly across it.

David!" Ty gasped, trying to draw away from the maddening sensation, but only succeeding in pulling his knees up higher, spreading himself wider and opening himself up more.

Giving a low chuckle, David kissed one of the younger man's cheeks. "Perfect, babe, stay just that way for me." He found the vial again and quickly opened it. After nipping the other cheek and then running his tongue roughly over the area, he rolled on his side and swiftly lubed his hard cock. "This might be a little cold, babe, but it'll warm up soon," he said as he drizzled a small amount of oil into the shadowed cleft, working it in and gently massaging it into the small, puckered opening.

Groaning, Ty arched his back as the knight's finger gently teased him, moving in and out until he thought he would come from that sensation alone. "No, don't stop," he moaned as the finger was removed.

"Like that, huh?" David said with a low chuckle. "Take a deep breath for me, my babe."

Ty tensed as the knight moved behind him, turning his head to look over his shoulder.

David bent low to kiss him, whispering, "Relax, sweetling. It's all right." Deepening the kiss, he slowly pushed into Ty, just beyond the first ring of muscle.

Breaking free of the kiss, Ty bent his head and rested it on the pillow. His breath came in short, quick pants as his hands splayed out over the mattress. Trying to squirm free and escape the intrusion, he gave a low moan.

David pushed forward insistently, fully seating himself into the prince's body. "Shhh, babe, it's all right," he whispered gently as he first kissed the sweaty back, then worked his way up to the collarbone.

"David, " Ty moaned again, "I don't think I can do this."

Withdrawing slightly, David started to move in a slow, gentle in and out motion. "You're doing beautifully, love. It's going to feel better in just a minute, trust me."

"I do trust you, it's just-- Oh, gods!"

Laughing, David repeated the motion, brushing over Ty's prostate again. "Better?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

With a final quick push, Michael was fully sheathed inside the younger man. Feeling him tense beneath him, he leaned down and began to nibble gently at the young man's neck and throat. "You feel so good, love," he whispered gently. He found a particularly sensitive spot, and as a flurry of small, butterfly kisses in that area released new moans of pleasure from Ky, the knight could feel the young man's cock hardening beneath him again. With one last kiss, he pulled back and then pulled his cock slowly out of its tight passage, again brushing over the prostate.

"Oh gods, Michael," Ky gasped, shivers of wonderful sensation running up him.

Pushing back in, Michael continued the slow steady rhythm, pausing with each thrust to kiss Ky.

Lost in the sensation of being so filled and full and the electric jolts each time his prostate was rubbed, the prince began to stroke and pump his own cock in time with Michael's rhythm. A moment later, unable to hold back, he spasmed and came, shooting over his hand and chest.

Picking up the rhythm, Michael felt the sudden tightening in his balls. With a low groan, he buried himself fully into Ky, kissing him deeply as he came hard into him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the other chamber, David slowly increased the pace, withdrawing further and then pushing back in harder to increase the stimulation.

Ty arched back, opening himself up more as his hips rose up to meet David's thrusts. His own cock was hard and weeping as it brushed against the pillow underneath him. The dual sensation was too much, and with a strangled cry, he came into the pillow beneath him. "Oh, gods," he repeated, too overwhelmed for anything else. He closed his eyes, totally sated, as he felt David come deep inside of him.

David gently lowered himself down onto Ty's back and then rolled them both onto one side while remaining deep inside the younger man. A few moments later, after collecting his breath, he asked in a low whisper, "How are you doing, babe?"

"Mmhhmm," the prince murmured, already on the edge of sleep. "Fantastic. Don't leave?"

"Never, my babe."

~~~~~~~~

Michael, laying on his back in the big bed next door, gently stroking the dark head that lay against his chest, echoed the sentiment.