Chapter 3

David finished the dance with a flourish, escorted the young maiden back to her chaperone, and looked around the Great Hall for his partner and the princes. The last time he had looked, Michael had been seated at one of the long trestle tables along the wall, deep in a dice game with two men who reminded David of nothing more than myopic young rabbits dressed in mauve satin. The table was empty now, and David's eyes swept the room, searching for his errant partner. The princes, in rich black velvet and rubies this evening, were across the room from him, the center of a vivacious group of young men and women. One of them looked toward him as if feeling his scrutiny and gave him a cold stare before turning back to the young lady he was conversing with. David leaned back against the smooth marble wall with an inward sigh. This was not going well at all.

The plan that had seemed so perfect had a few flaws, as they discovered when they got to the castle. The King's Seneschel had indeed welcomed them with open arms, assigning them chambers in the wing reserved for knights and lesser noblemen and presenting them to the queen and her ladies after the evening meal. The voluptuous, emerald-eyed queen had been delighted, and immediately attached the handsome strangers to her retinue and basked in their attention.

Unfortunately, no one had warned them that there was a covert war going on between the princes and their stepmother.

Married only to gain a political alliance, and well-aware of the fact that the entire populace had adored her predecessor, the queen had moved quickly to secure her place and undermine the popularity of the young princes. The princes, incensed by the fact that this upstart, barely older than themselves, was attempting to take their mother's place, had retaliated. The result was an ongoing battle carried on by the supporters of either side while the principals coldly ignored each other in public and fostered and abetted the wild schemes in private.

Being presented to the queen first had insured that the knights were on the wrong side of this private war. Every attempt to meet the princes had been met with cold disdain on their part, and resulted in one of the queen's ladies being quickly dispatched to draw them back into her fold. It was beginning to look like their chances to meet privately with the royal twins were going from slim to none.

In addition, the Wizard Adronicus was growing increasingly paranoid that someone was going to become the Princes' Champion and steal his future glory. In between frantically searching for a way to destroy Rohannon, he haunted the Great Hall, glowering suspiciously at all newcomers. Every stranger was suspect and the knights had come under his scrutiny more than once.

A gawky young courtier caught David's eye as he strutted by, the scraggly braid trailing down his back marking him as one of the princes' allies. No one in the queen's faction, male or female, ever wore braids; everyone in the princes' faction did. Maybe if they let theirs grow long enough to braid it would help, the blond knight thought, touching his shoulder-length hair reflexively. They certainly weren't having any luck with any other plan.

~~~~

"Your friend looks unhappy," Queen Alida confided to Michael, resting her long talon-like fingernails against his sleeve. "Are the women of our kingdom not to his taste?"

"I'm sure that isn't it," Michael replied genially, resisting the urge to pull away as she ran her fingers sensuously along his arm.

"Perhaps he is merely tired of the attention of silly young maidens," she said archly. "Perhaps I could relieve his boredom for a short time."

"I'm sure Your Majesty has much more important duties than entertaining poor young knights," Michael deliberately ignored the innuendo.

"I always have time to show hospitality to our guests," the queen purred. "And I would be happy to show him what he should look for in a bride."

"I'll make sure he gets the message," the knight said, fervently hoping he could get away before she decided he needed the same advice.

Two of her ladies, bickering loudly, claimed her attention then and the dark-haired knight casually made his way to David's side and leaned against the wall next to him.

"Would you smile?" he hissed. "You're supposed to be having a good time."

"This isn't working," David hissed back between gritted teeth. "We've been here almost a week, and we're getting nowhere. We need a new plan."

"I have one." Michael bowed and smiled at an ancient dowager hobbling by, dowdy granddaughter in tow. "But we have to get through this evening first, and if you keep glaring like that you're going to scare off all your prospective brides. Not to mention having the queen in your bed."

"What??" David exclaimed, looking over to where the flaxen-haired shrew was viciously scolding her two hapless ladies. "Gods! Who told you that?"

"Shhh, keep your voice down! She just told me that she'd be happy to relieve your boredom with this bevy of inexperienced maidens."

"If I was bored with this bevy of maidens, I certainly wouldn't console myself with her. I'd rather sleep with my horse."

"Just try to stay out of her way, all right? This is going to be difficult enough without adding any more complications."

"When have I ever added complications?" David asked with his first sincere laugh of the evening.

"When haven't you?" Michael retorted, laughing as well. "Now smile and look for a bride."

~~~~

Later that night, David entered Michael's bedchamber. "What's the plan?" he asked without preamble.

"I think we should pay a midnight visit to the princes."

"That's the plan?" David asked incredulously. "You may not have noticed, Michael, but there are guards at their door, probably just to keep out unwelcome visitors like ourselves. What are you planning to do about them?"

"Nothing. We aren't going in the door," Michael informed him. "We're going in the window."

"We're what?" David's voice rose in disbelief.

"Shhh! Don't tell everyone in the castle! Why do you think I spent the evening dicing with those rabbits? They know every inch of this place. The princes' apartments are in the southwest tower."

"We already knew that," the blond knight interjected impatiently. "It isn't exactly a secret."

"Would you listen? Their solar is in the main part of the castle, but their bedchambers are in the tower itself. We can go up on the parapet, and into the tower above them. Then we tie off a couple of ropes, climb down, and go in through their windows. We'll wake them up, have our little chat, go back up the ropes, and the queen and wizard will never know we've been near them."

"How much did you have to drink tonight?" David demanded.

"Why is it that every time I come up with a plan, you think I've had too much to drink?" Michael asked indignantly.

"I'm not sure, but it might have something to do with the plans you come up with," David replied acidly.

"The last one worked, didn't it?"

"Not yet."

Michael sighed. "King, we keep trying to talk to the princes, Castle, we try my plan?"

Unable to think of anything else, David grudgingly agreed.

~~~~

The following night, crouched in the shadows as he waited for the guard to pass, David wasn't so sure. They had to be crazy; that was the only explanation he could come up with. This plan was so full of holes, it looked like a ripe cheese. If they didn't get caught going down the wall, the princes were going to scream bloody murder as soon as they came in the window. Even if they managed to keep the princes quiet, the young men weren't likely to listen to the plan. And even if they did, there was still the matter of getting back up the ropes, and back to their chambers without being seen. He was wondering how well equipped the king's dungeons were and whether he and Michael would be lodged in the same cell when his thoughts were interrupted by a sharp hiss from the other knight. He dashed across the open walkway, rope slung over his shoulder, and into the tower. Working mostly by feel in the dim light, he tied his rope to an iron torch sconce set into the wall, tugged at it to make sure it was secure, then looked over at Michael.

"Ready?" Michael asked.

"Wait," David said. "Who gets which prince?"

"What does it matter? We can't tell them apart anyway," Michael objected.

"I still want to know," David replied stubbornly.

Michael sighed. "King, you take the left window, Castle, I do?"

As the blond knight nodded in agreement, he pulled a coin from his belt pouch and sent it spinning in the air. "Castle," he said, as he caught it and squinted down at it in the dim light.

They dropped the ropes through the narrow slits, squeezed through and climbed down, the strain on their arms intense despite finding rough footholds in the castle wall. David forced himself to go down the rope slowly, knowing that a slip would mean certain death. The chances of anyone seeing them was remote, but the feeling of exposure and vulnerability was difficult to shake.

Michael entered the window on the left as his partner entered the one on the right. He stood half hidden in the folds of the crimson velvet draperies, surveying the room. There was a low nightlamp burning in the room and as he took a moment to let his eyes adjust to the dim light Michael could hear soft, even breathing coming from the enormous four-poster bed. Good. Ty'lin, Ky'lin - whichever this was - was still sleeping.

He trod softly to the side of the bed and stood looking down at the still small form beneath the mounded covers. The young man lay curled on his side, back to where Michael stood. Fine strands of hair escaped from his long, thick braid, laying softly against his temple and one hand was fisted near the small firm chin. Michael admired the picture for a moment, then put one knee on the bed and reached down to cover the mouth with his own large hand, ready to prevent any outcry when he woke the young man.

"Aaagghhh!" He tried to jerk his hand away, but the prince had clamped down with his teeth and wouldn't let go. The young man rolled lithely onto his back, and the fist that had been so innocently nestled against the chin connected with Michael's ear, making him hear bells.

A loud squawk from the adjoining bedchamber told him David wasn't faring any better, but David was going to have to take care of himself. He was having more than enough trouble dealing with this young termagant.

"Hell," he thought, trying to pry the jaw loose from his hand, duck the swinging fist, and keep the thrashing young wildcat from kneeing him in the groin all at the same time, "why don't they just sic these two on the dragon? He'd never stand a chance."

"Would you stop!" he whispered irritably as the fist caught him in the ear again. "I'm here to rescue you from the dragon!"

The thrashing slowed, then ceased. After a brief hesitation, as if the prince was thinking it over, he opened his mouth and let go of Michael's hand, staring up at him in astonishment.

"The dragon is *not* in my bedchamber," he pointed out scornfully.

"I know that," Michael snapped. "But it's impossible to talk to you anywhere else."

There was a sharp outcry from the next room, then quiet voices could be heard, the words indistinguishable. The prince looked that way and seemed to come to a decision. "I think we need to move this conversation to the solar."

He slid unselfconsciously from the bed, giving the sprawling Michael a perfect view of the firm rounded ass directly at eye level. The dark cleft between the pale globes begged to be touched, to be licked... He swallowed heavily, running his tongue over suddenly dry lips. He swore softly as the young prince turned to face him and the view of the perfect ass was replaced by a view of an equally perfect cock and balls nestled in a soft thatch of dark curls. The prince pulled on a dark silken robe and, as the enticing view was covered, Michael started thinking clearly again.

"Which-", he hesitated, unable to think of a tactful way to phrase his question, but the prince understood immediately.

"Prince Devrae Jametrius Ky'lin Mallinestra de Mal," he stated. "Usually referred to as Ky'lin. And you are...?"

"Michael Alexander de Metriss, of the House de Metriss de Courtaine. Usually referred to as Michael."

He thought of bowing, decided that it was pointless under the circumstances, and followed the young prince into the solar. There was also a nightlamp burning in this room and, taking a taper, the prince held it to the lamp, then started lighting candles around the room.

The dark-haired man looked around, blinking a little in the sudden light. This room was obviously the princes' private refuge, a peaceful shelter from the world. Dark velvet draperies hid the windows on one side of the room, but he could imagine the golden light that would flood the room in the afternoon. Comfortable furniture was scattered about the room, and finely woven rugs warmed the stone floor. Several large tapestries covered the marble walls and Michael walked over to examine one more closely. It depicted a country festival, and he was amazed by the amount of detail captured in the tiny stitches.

"Our mother and her ladies designed and stitched those," the prince explained, coming to stand next to him. "It was one of her passions, and they hung in the Great Hall while she was alive. The new queen wanted something less... ostentatious. Or so she said.We had them moved up here."

"They're beautiful," Michael said sincerely, still studying the finely detailed work.

"We think so. Could you build up the fire?" The prince shivered in his thin robe.

As Michael knelt next to the fireplace, coaxing flames from the banked coals, Prince Ty'lin entered the room followed by David. From the stunned expression on David's face, he'd been subjected to the same treatment Michael had, and was taking even longer to recover. For some

obscure reason that made Michael feel better.

The princes gestured the knights toward well-cushioned chairs flanking the fireplace before sitting together on the settee facing them and waiting expectantly. Michael and David looked at each other, uncertain how to begin.

"We figured out-"

"We know how-"

They began simultaneously, then David paused and gestured for Michael to continue speaking.

"The dragon said, 'There is but one thing that will keep me from enjoying every morsel of their tender, succulent, young flesh. The loss of a particular treasure. You may choose a champion for each prince. 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'," Michael quoted from memory. "We've thought about it and did extensive research in the Temple archives, and we believe that the dragon is speaking of your virginity."

He looked into the closed faces of the princes. It was impossible to tell what they were thinking, and he went on, enumerating each point of their argument.

After he had finished, there was a long pause. Finally, Ty'lin stood and went to a small cabinet in the corner. Setting out four crystal goblets, he filled them with wine and gave one to each knight before taking the other two back to the settee. Handing one to his brother, he took a sip from the remaining one before speaking.

"So you're saying that the dragon is only interested in us because we're virgins?"

"I don't think that's the only reason, but, yes, I think that makes you more attractive to him."

"And you think that if you take our virginity, he'll honor his vow to leave the kingdom?" Ky'lin asked.

"Yes, we do." David entered the conversation. "We wouldn't be here otherwise."

"Why you two?" Ty'lin spoke again. "Why shouldn't we reward you for the information and then take it to someone we know?"

"First, because we think you have more honor than that," David told him. "Second, because we've watched you for the past few days. We don't think there's anyone in the court that you're that attracted to, or trust that far."

"Why does it have to be a man? Wouldn't sex with any woman in the court work as well?"

"There are two reasons for that, as well," Michael replied. "One, the dragon used the male pronoun - 'if he can name it, and claim it for his own.' Two, we know how the court works. If you were interested in women, you would have availed yourself of one of the many opportunities they've offered you, and this conversation would be irrelevant."

"Why are you bringing this information to us, instead of to our father?" Ty'lin asked, standing and pacing restlessly. "All of the other champions presented themselves directly to him."

"We weren't sure that he would listen," Michael said bluntly. "You have a little more at stake here. We thought you would be more willing to consider all possibilities."

"I see."

The two princes looked at each other in silent communication, then replied.

"We need to think about this."

"We need to consider everything you've said."

"It isn't a decision that we can make impulsively."

"We'll contact you with our answer."

The princes rose, and the knights perforce rose as well. "Good night, gentlemen."

The young men swept back into their bedchambers, the doors closed with a decided snap, and the knights were left staring at each other.

"Well, that went rather well," David said complacently. "At least they listened to us, and we haven't been hauled off to the dungeon yet. Now we just have to wait while they consider it."

"Well, there is another small problem," Michael informed him. "There's still a guard outside, and our ropes are on the other side of those doors."

~~~~

When they were finally back in Michael's bedchamber, David couldn't keep the idiotic grin off his face.

"What are you so happy about?" Michael asked him.

"They aren't empty-headed dolls," he replied. "It's all an act. They're intelligent and they think fast. Damn, they're good."

"Yes." Michael thought of that pale nude body. "I bet they will be."