Chapter 12

Sometime in the night, Michael stirred and woke. He lay still for a few moments, absorbing the details of his surroundings, before deciding that no danger threatened. The candles had long since burned out, leaving the room heavily shadowed; the only light came from the dim nightlamp near the bed. Ky was sleeping soundly, his head on Michael's chest, one arm wrapped securely around the knight and one leg thrown over him in careless abandon. Fine, silky tendrils of the ebony hair had escaped from their binding and Michael gently brushed them back, then continued stroking them simply because he enjoyed the smooth, satiny feel of them.

Ky stirred and murmured restlessly, pushing himself closer to the knight without wakening and Michael gently stroked his back, whispering reassuringly until the young man settled back into a deeper sleep. When he was sure that Ky wouldn't awaken, the knight gently rolled him to one side and rose from the bed. Shivering in the cool night air, he paused to straighten the tangled bedcovers and pull them up over the sleeping prince and to throw a blanket over his own shoulders before padding softly into the solar. There he filled a goblet with wine and took it over to the windows, pushing back one of the heavy draperies to look out as he sipped it. The eastern sky was beginning to turn pink; dawn wasn't far away. The guard had changed by now, he thought, staring out over the quiet city. The knights had never stayed this late before and he didn't know whether the new guards were safe or spies. He'd have to wait until his prince woke again before he could leave.

His prince. Their plan had seemed so simple at first, he mused. Meet the princes, convince them that a quick tumble in bed would solve all their problems, collect the reward, and leave. Only, somehow, it hadn't turned out that way. Somehow, while he was working on getting into the prince's bed, the prince had gotten into his heart. The monetary treasure they'd receive wasn't enough anymore and, try though he might, he couldn't see a solution that would take care of all their problems. They wouldn't be happy if they stayed, the princes couldn't leave. Sighing deeply, he let the curtain fall back into place and quietly returned to the bedchamber. Slipping back into bed, he took the prince in his arms again, smiling as the young man nestled against him with a small contented sigh. One step at a time, he thought drowsily. The first thing they had to do was make sure the princes were safe. Time enough to deal with the future when they were sure they had one.

Joris quietly let himself into the dimly lit solar, followed by a young servant carrying a large oval serving tray. The tray contained the princes' breakfast - two gently steaming pitchers of chocolate and an assortment of sweet pastries. Gesturing for the boy to place the heavy tray on the table, he crossed to the windows and pulled back the dark velvet draperies, flooding the room with warm, bright sunlight. As the boy left, he knelt before the fireplace and coaxed a cheerful flame from the banked coals, banishing the chill that came from the stone walls even during the hottest days of summer.

He plumped the chair cushions and straightened the rugs, then gazed about the chamber with a critical eye. Satisfied that it would do until the cleaners came in later, he divided the contents of the large silver tray between two smaller ones, picked one up and went to Prince Ty'lin's door. His hand was raised to knock when he paused, his keen ear picking up the muted but unmistakable sounds coming from within. He stood for a moment, lips pursed in thought, then set the tray back on the table. The morning guard was a spy for the queen and the knights wouldn't be able to leave until after he'd been diverted or replaced. Meanwhile, they'd want something slightly more substantial than chocolate and pastries for breakfast.

"What are you doing today?" Ty asked the knights later, as he examined the selection of pastries and selected a small square one filled with fruit and nuts.

The four men were seated around the table in the solar, enjoying their morning repast, and David looked at the pastry disapprovingly.

"Is that all you're eating?" he asked in return.

"No, I'm going to have one of the glazed ones next," Ty informed him sunnily. "And then maybe one of those spiced ones."

David frowned and Ky quickly changed the topic of conversation. "We don't have to have weapons training today, do we?" he asked.

"A little sore?" Michael asked with a teasing smile, then relented as the young man blushed. "No, we'll skip the training today."

"Good, that gives us a free morning. We can go back to bed," Ty commented. "Want to come along?" he added hopefully.

"I'm sorry, love." David shook his head. "Michael and I have to arrange an audience with the king."

"WHAT? WHY? What do you need to talk to our father about?" Ty demanded, nearly choking on his mouthful of pastry. He glared challengingly from one knight to the other.

"We need to tell him what's going on," Michael replied peaceably. "Ky'lin, why don't you have some meat or cheese with that roll?"

"You can't tell him!" Ty protested furiously. "You agreed that you wouldn't tell anyone!"

"Ty-" David began.

"You promised!" Ky added his wail to the debate.

"Ky-" Michael started to speak.

"It's not fair!" Ty continued, raising his voice to override the other men. "We asked you about it before we agreed to any of this and you promised us that you wouldn't tell anyone! You can't change your minds now!"

"Ty'lin, stop! That's not what we promised. We told you that your father would have to know eventually, but not anyone else." David reached out to take the prince's hand, but Ty jerked back.

"No! Why do you have to tell him? Why do you have to ruin everything??" He flung his half-eaten roll on the table.

"We're not trying ruin anything, babe," David attempted to soothe him. "But we need to have an audience with your father, to tell him what's going on."

"No! You will *not*," Ty commanded imperiously. He rose from the table and, placing his hands on his hips, scowled fiercely at the knight. "I forbid it!"

David rose as well, looming over the shorter man. "One," he said ominously, "since I'm not one of your royal subjects, I don't give a damn what you forbid. Two, I didn't *ask* for your opinion, I *told* you what I'm going to do. And three, you don't EVER use that tone of voice with me! Do you understand me?"

Ty stood his ground, his defiant eyes locked with David's icy ones. "It's my life," he said flatly. "Nobody makes decisions about my life without consulting me first."

"It's your life," David agreed just as flatly. "But I'm your Champion and I will do whatever I feel is necessary to see that you keep it, whether you like it or not."

"That wasn't part of the deal!"

"It is now," the knight informed him implacably.

"You can't do that!" Ty gasped in outrage. "You have no right to do that!"

"Then call your guards and have me thrown out!" David challenged him. "Either you--"

"FINE!" Ty shouted before he could finish his sentence. "If that's the way you feel--"

"THAT'S ENOUGH! " Michael outshouted both of them, ready to physically separate them if necessary. When he was sure he had their attention he continued in a normal tone of voice, "Let's not start something that we're going to regret later, all right? And we have more important things to discuss right now. David, like it or not, Ty'lin does have a say in this. Being his Champion doesn't make you his dictator. Ty'lin, do us the courtesy of hearing us out before you start flinging royal decrees at us, please."

Ty glowered resentfully at David, but threw himself back into his chair, indicating his willingness to listen to Michael.

"Your father has to be told the truth, Ty'lin," Michael continued. "He has to know that there is going to be someone there for you when you confront Rohannon."

"Why?" Ky asked dolefully. "Why can't you just show up at the right time?"

"You know better than that, babe, if you'd think about it for a minute," he replied patiently. "We can't just waltz up that morning and announce that we're there to defend you."

"Why can't you?" Ty demanded. "So far I haven't heard one good reason why we have to tell him right now!"

"Politics," Michael told him, wisely choosing the argument that was mostly likely to sway the princes. Duty always came ahead of personal desire. It was a dictate that had been drummed into their heads from infancy and it would force them to listen now. "He has a dragon out there making unreasonable demands and he has no choice but to placate it. Time is running out, nobody has solved the riddle, and you don't have a Champion to defend you. The kingdom is in turmoil. The people are uneasy and their faith is shaken in his power, because if he can't protect his own sons how is he going to protect them? In addition, the people know that if both of you die there's no one else in the direct line and that leaves the succession up in the air, causing even more turmoil that the dissidents are quick to take advantage of."

"And you can bet," David took up the argument, "that all of the country's enemies are watching this and just waiting for an opening, at a time when troop strength is already down because of the dragon's earlier attacks. Even the neutrals are going to be looking for ways to take advantage of the situation and your allies are going to be having second thoughts about the wisdom of their alliances. Being able to announce that he has solved the riddle and chosen the appropriate Champions will go a long way toward solving all of those problems."

"He needs to know on a personal level, too," Michael spoke again. "It isn't easy for him to sacrifice you for the good of the country. He's being torn apart by it and you can't make him continue to suffer when you know there's a possible solution."

"All right," Ty admitted grudgingly. "He has to know."

"But do you have to tell him *everything*?" Ky asked plaintively. "Can't you just say you have it under control?"

"Ky'lin, he doesn't know anything about us. We're just a pair of mercenaries who came into his court based on a lie. Do you really think he's going to take our word that it's all under control, without knowing all the facts?"

"But what if he's angry? What if he's ashamed of us?" Ty asked in a small voice. "What if he thinks it makes us-- makes us less of a man or not fit to be rulers? What if he hates us?"

"He won't hate you."

"But what if he does?" Ky whispered despairingly. "And what if he blames you for it?"

"He won't," David repeated, devoutly hoping he was right. "He's a fair man. He'll listen and make a fair judgment."

"All right, I can see that he has to be told," Ty conceded reluctantly. "But I think we should tell him. I think it would be better coming from us."

"And you think you can protect us if he takes it badly," David replied shrewdly. "Thank you for the thought, small one, but this was our plan and we're going to be the ones to present it to him."

"I think it would be a good idea for you to talk to him afterwards, though," Michael advised. "I think he needs to hear it from you as well."

The princes argued half-heartedly for a few more moments and then gave in, turning their attention instead to helping the knights work out what to say and how to handle the situation.

"We'd better write a note for you," Ky concluded. "If you try to go through the Lord Chamberlain, you won't get an audience for over a moon. If we give you a note for Marius, Father's private secretary, he'll get you in right away.

"There is a bright side, though," Ty informed them, breaking the solemnity with an impish grin.

"What's that?" David asked him, returning the smile.

"People will know why you're really here," Ky explained. "You don't have to flirt with all those women anymore."

"Especially the queen," Ty added with a dark glower.

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

"David, the page is here to take us to the king." Michael entered his friend's bedchamber. "Are you ready to go?"

"No," David admitted, standing up and taking a deep breath. "I already told you I don't want to be there when you tell the king we're his champions and we're here to fuck his sons."

Michael sighed. "Do you want me to go alone?"

"No, we're partners. If you go, I go."

"Kings, we think of another plan, castles, we go through with this one?"

"No," David waved the coin away and stiffened his resolve. "We need to do this. Let's just get it over with, all right?"

They followed the page as he led them through a maze of corridors into a section of castle normally reserved for clerks and administrators. Finally, opening a door that looked no different from any other along the hall, he led them into a small, plain antechamber containing only a small desk and three or four hard wooden chairs. Two of the Royal Guard flanked the door to the inner chamber, indicating that the king was within, but there was no one else in the room.

"Wait here," the page told them, then slipped out the door again before they could reply.

"They could get more comfortable chairs," David grumbled as they sat down to wait.

"I don't think they want to encourage visitors," Michael replied. He automatically looked over the guards with a professional eye, appraising their strengths and weaknesses. Although the Guard was responsible for the safety of all members of the royal family, each member had a personal retinue and, while the knights had become friendly with some of the princes' guards, they didn't know either of these men.

"Not bad," David murmured, finishing his own assessment. "We could take them, but it might be a little rough."

"I think it might leave the king with a bad first impression if we take out his guards before the audience," Michael murmured back. "So let's just wait for our invitation, all right?"

"Spoilsport," David replied with a flash of his usual good humor.

The door opened and a tall, thin man in his late twenties appeared in the doorway. "I'm Marius, His Majesty's Private Secretary," he told them. "His Majesty will see you, at Their Highnesses' request, but please try to be brief. You are aware of the protocol involved?"

Both knights nodded as they removed their daggers from their belts and laid them on the desk, and one of the guards came forward and patted them thoroughly, checking for hidden weapons. As he finished, Marius stepped back, beckoning the knights into the chamber.

Unlike the formal council chamber where he met with his ministers and advisors, this one was clearly where the king worked. It was bright and airy, warm and well lit. King Abaddon sat at a large desk cluttered with parchments, books, and scrolls, scowling at the document he was reading.

"Sir Michael Alexander de Metriss de Vanetia and Sir David Llewellyn Mac Dane, Your Majesty," Marius introduced them.

The king glanced up briefly and acknowledged their presence, then returned to his reading. Picking up a fine quill pen, he dipped it into the inkwell and scribbled a note in the margin of the document. Marius silently sat down at the smaller desk and pulled out his own document to peruse.

The knights waited quietly, without fidgeting, using the opportunity to study their opponent. Seen from across the court or on a dais surrounded by his council, he was an intimidating leader of men. Seen up close, he was even more formidable. He exuded a presence that left the knights feeling as if they were standing before the desk of their first lord, waiting for the axe to fall after some misadventure. He'd had the same trick of allowing them to stand, feeling insignificant, while he tended to what were obviously more important matters.

At last, King Abaddon put the pen into its holder and leaned back. "Their Highnesses write that you wish to see me about a matter of some importance. I'll save you some time by telling you now, I don't get directly involved in their training. The master-at-arms keeps me informed of their progress, and if there's a problem or something you feel they need, you'll have to take it up with him."

As the knights had agreed beforehand, Michael carried the brunt of the interview.

"This isn't about their training, Your Majesty," he replied calmly and confidently. "It's about the Dragon Rohannon and their need for a Champion. We have an answer for the riddle."

The king straightened, all of his attention on the knights now. "What is it?"

"Begging Your Majesty's pardon, we feel that this should remain confidential for the moment." He gestured toward Marius.

The king steepled his fingers together, considering. Then, "Leave us," he commanded Marius. "And see that we aren't disturbed."

Marius silently rose and left the room while the king surveyed the knights with a daunting gaze. "Now. What is this secret answer to the riddle?"

"It has to do with their virginity," Michael explained frankly, then went on to explain their theory about the dragon desiring only virgins before the king could react.

"So you believe that if the princes were to have intercourse with a woman, Rohannon would no longer be interested?" the king asked intently. "Then why does he emphasize the need for a Champion? Does he seek to humiliate my sons - and by extension, the kingdom - by having a such a woman intercede for them?"

"We don't think having intercourse with a woman would fulfill the requirements," Michael replied, then paused. This was the tricky part. Beside him, he could sense David gritting his teeth and shifting his weight to the balls of his feet, an unconscious response to a dangerous situation. He took a deep breath before continuing. "The dragon specifically used the male pronoun in reference to the Champion."

There was a long pause, as the king absorbed this information. Then, the words falling like chips of ice, he replied, "Let me see if I understand this correctly. You are saying that your answer to the riddle is for my sons to have sexual intercourse with men. And to have those men stand in front of everyone in the kingdom and publicly announce that they have taken my sons virginity from them. You feel that this will both render them unattractive to the dragon and fulfill the conditions of his treaty."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Michael replied steadily. "Although we aren't sure that everyone has to know. The conditions say to name it, but they don't specify a public announcement."

"But you don't have any proof of this." The king unerringly hit on the flaw in their plan. "It's all circumstantial evidence."

"Yes, it is," the knight agreed. "But very strong circumstantial evidence. And the only answer you have at the moment."

"And can I infer that you see yourselves in the role of Champions?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

There was another long pause as he deliberated, and the knights used it to study his face, trying vainly to judge his response to their proposal.

"And did you conceive this plan before you had the audacity to enter my Court under false pretenses? Before you took on the task of training the princes, worming your way into their affections, and attempting to seduce them?"

"We came up with the plan beforehand, yes," Michael admitted, "and we entered the Court under false pretenses. But we were honest with the princes. We told them everything, before we took the positions as their trainers. And if they had objected, we wouldn't have gone any further with it."

"You spoke to them, but not to me. Why?"

"Begging Your Majesty's pardon, but it's their lives that are at stake. We thought they should be informed first and allowed to decide if they wanted us to... pursue the matter."

"So why are you coming to me now? To seek my blessing? To ask my permission to have intercourse with my sons?" Now he was clearly, coldly, angry, his demeanor forbidding.

"No, Your Majesty." the knight swallowed hard before continuing, well-aware of the king's power, and visions of dungeons and executioners dancing in his head. "To tell you that we already have."

The king half-rose, his fingers white where they gripped the edge of his desk. "You dared--"

"It was necessary," Michael continued swiftly. "This way, no matter what happens, no matter what you decide, no matter what you do to us, they have a chance. And I will do anything necessary - *anything* - to give Ky'lin that chance.

The sincerity in his tone cut through the king's rage as nothing else would have. He slowly seated himself again, the iron control back in place. "So if I have you imprisoned or executed, you'll die happy, knowing that they have a chance?" he asked sardonically.

"I didn't say that," Michael denied. "I don't want to die. But I will, if necessary, to keep them safe. I don't think you'll do that, though, because you still need us. Rohannon said, 'You may choose a Champion. If, in three moons, he can name the treasure and show that he has claimed it for his own, I will withdraw my demand for them.' I think that means we need to be with the princes when Rohannon arrives to take them. We need to name the treasure and claim it for our own. After that..." he shrugged and spread his hands. "It's your decision whether to reward us or imprison us."

Once again, King Abaddon surveyed them impassively as he considered the matter. "Your answer to the riddle has some merit. I need to think on this more," he announced at last. "You will tell no one of this until I give you permission."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I'm willing to contemplate this-- this plan of yours. *But*, be aware, Sir Knights," his voice dripped icicles, "your lives are dependent on this as well. If you're wrong, if I go along with this idea and the dragon succeeds in taking my sons, you'll pray for death a thousand times before I'm through with you."

David spoke for the first time since they had entered the room. "No, we won't, Your Majesty," he contradicted, his voice frigid as well. "For if the dragon succeeds in taking your sons, it will only be because we're already dead."

~~~~

"You did a good job in there," David praised his friend as they returned to their bedchambers. "Much better than I could have done."

"Thank you," Michael replied. "I have to admit I was a little worried for a few minutes there."

"Only for a few minutes?" David asked in surprise. "I fully expected to end this day chained in a cell, if not worse. The princes will want to know how it went," he continued. "Should we risk going to their quarters or send a message by Joris?"

"Neither one," Michael said as he opened his door to reveal the twins sitting on his bed. "You shouldn't be here, love."

"We couldn't wait," Ky said simply. "How did it go?"

"We're still here, thanks mostly to Michael's glib tongue," David replied. "You don't have to break us out of the dungeon."

"Good," Ty said, standing and leaning into him for a reassuring hug. "I'm not sure where it is."

"We'd find it if we needed to, though," Ky said loyally. "Joris probably knows where it is."

"So how did it go?" Ty asked again. "Was he very angry?"

"It went well, all things considered." Michael sat down next to Ky and pulled the young man to him for a much-needed hug. "He wasn't happy, but he did listen and say he'd consider it. I think he'll probably want to talk to you two about it."

"We already sent a note asking if we could see him this evening," Ky informed them.

"Watch your temper," David warned." Try to be calm and rational."

"I'm always calm and rational," Ty assured him blithely, then turned solemn. "I don't want to do this," he whispered.

"I know." David hugged him reassuringly. "But you have to, babe. And it will be all right. I promise."

"You'd better go, though," Michael said, reluctantly loosing his hold on Ky. "This is not a good time for you to be caught in our quarters."

"All right. Will you be there afterwards?" Ky asked, clinging momentarily to Michael as David checked the hall.

"We'll be there at the usual time," Michael assured him. "I love you," he whispered, giving Ky one last hug and brushing his cheek against the young man's hair. "It's going to be all right."

At the door, David was saying a similar goodbye to Ty, then, "All clear," and the two young men disappeared, leaving the knights alone.

~~~~~~~

The Hall was buzzing when Michael and David arrived that evening. While it wasn't uncommon for the king or the princes to miss the evening meal, it was rare for all three of them to be absent at the same time, and gossip was rife. There was a lot of speculation about why the men in the royal family were dining alone together, leaving the queen to sit in solitary splendor, but, listening carefully, the knights were relieved to hear that their visit that morning had apparently gone unnoticed.

"Sir David." The queen hailed him almost immediately after the meal and David gritted his teeth. Didn't the woman ever give up? "Did you speak to your friend about my offer?"

"Offer?" For a moment, David drew a blank. "Oh. To become gentlemen-in-waiting," he remembered. "Yes, I spoke to him about it, Your Grace."

"And...?" She ran her fingers delicately up his arm, a gesture that was getting old, in David's opinion. He started to shrug away uncomfortably, then caught Michael's warning look.

"Stall," the other knight mouthed silently, and he sighed irritably. He would be so glad when everything was out in the open.

"It's a great honor for a pair of simple knights." he began, "But I really don't think--"

"You're too modest," she replied, suppressing her own sigh, wondering why she bothered with this idiot. He had better be as good in bed as his physique promised or she was going to be very displeased with him. "I'm sure you'll do just fine in your new... duties," she purred.

Suddenly David had had enough. "No, Your Grace, I don't think so," he said, calmly removing her fingers from his arm. "As I've said, I'm a simple knight, not well-versed in court intrigue, and I don't believe I'm willing to learn."

He turned and walked away, leaving her to stare after him, her astonishment rapidly turning to rage. How dare he reject her? And speak to her like that? How DARE he?

~~~~~~

"Do you think that was wise?" Michael asked as they made their way to the princes' apartments.

"I was tired of it," David replied simply. "And what's she going to do about it? We're either under the king's protection or so far past redemption that there's nothing she can do to make it worse."

"Good point," Michael replied. "And following that logic, we might as well go give the wizard a good kick in the balls while we're at it."

"Don't tempt me," David glowered. "I am NOT in a good mood. Have Their Highnesses returned?" he asked Joris as they entered the solar.

"Yes, sir," Joris replied. "They're in Prince Ty'lin's chamber."

"We won't disturb them, then," Michael said, knowing the young mens' need to be together when they were distressed. "Will you let them know we're here, please?"

"Yes, sir," Joris said again. He poured wine for the knights as they sat down in their accustomed chairs. "I think everything is in order. I'll tell the princes that you're here and then I'll be leaving for the night. If that's all right?"

"That's fine," Michael told him as he took the cup from the older man. "It's been a long day," he commented as Joris left the room.

"A very long day," David agreed, sliding down in the chair and stretching his legs out in front of him. "Last night seems like an eternity ago."

They sat in silence then, each lost in his own thoughts, until the door to Ty'lin's chamber opened and the two princes entered the room.

"How did it go?" Michael asked, taking in their wan looks and drawn expressions.

"All right," Ky replied. "But-- do you mind if we don't talk about it for awhile?"

"Of course not," Michael replied gently, drawing the other man down onto his lap. "You don't have to tell us about it at all if you don't want to."

"Could you just hold us for a while?" Ty asked hesitantly

David held out his arms and Ty settled onto his lap, resting his head against the broad shoulder. "It was the hardest thing we've ever done," he admitted softly.

Ky, cradled in Michael's arms, nodded wordlessly.

There was silence for a long while, then Ty spoke again. "He's going to call a council meeting in the morning, to tell them you're our Champions. You don't need to be there for that, but we - all four of us - need to be there when he makes the proclamation to the people in the afternoon."

"It will be all right," Michael replied to his prince's unspoken need. "As long as we're together, it will all be all right."

tbc