Journey's Beginning
#2 of Heaven's Son
Standard disclaimer. You should be over 18 (Possibly 21) as
this story contains some implied homosexual intercourse. I
have put labeled it as M/M even though it contains no actual
sex. If not comfortable with that, you might want to
consider not reading this. Use common discretion. The
characters and places are my creations, I'd be very unhappy
if anyone used them without asking. If you want to
distribute this then ask my permission, chances are I'll say
yes assuming it's unaltered. Feel free to contact me at
nightflurry(at)yahoo.com for comments. I highly recommend
reading the previous chapter(s).
I'm not sure I'm really happy how this chapter turned out,
but I can't seem to alter it without making it worse. It's a
bit dull, but necessary filler. I honestly didn't expect
there to be any 'action' nearly this early, but it just sort
of came as I was writing. The hot and heavy stuff will have
to wait though. Enjoy.
Chapter II. Journey's Beginning
Alexi let out an 'oof' as the badger pulled the straps
on the armour taut. "Too tight m'lord?" The raccoon nodded
and sighed. He'd been fitted and measured and hassled for
hours now, he felt like he was being taking shopping as a
kid.
The armoury was delighted to fulfill the special order
for an Enforcer's battle gear. The basic bit really wasn't
much different than the Lorica Hamata style armour that any
imperial soldier wore. Only to top if off they fitted a
large (soon to be dulled down) silver Musculata type
breastplate over the mail. Alexi had to admit it was a very
impressive piece of armour. Had the Imperial Standard on it
and the Enforcer's insignia as well. Tough leather straps
tightened it up over the hamata, and a purple cloak dangled
from the nape of the neck.
The unprepared raccoon nearly buckled under the weight
at first, he had no idea the armour could weigh so much.
This new line of work would defiantly take some getting in
shape. The short and pudgy badger looked up at him, "How's
that? Try walking around"
Alexi took a few heavy steps and tried shrugging the
armour into a better fit, but it didn't seem to get any
better. He could walk though, he tried kneeling and getting
back up, and to his surprise succeeded. Maybe it wasn't so
bad after all once it all got on properly. The blacksmith
grinned and nodded, more to himself than to Alexi.
Next came the silver greaves, the sporran, leather
pteruges on the waist and sholders, and a helmet with a
purple plume. Alexi quietly wondered how much this
outfitting cost. The last item handed to him was a sword in
the gladius fashion. It was newly, and rapidly, made just
for his paw size. The grip was corrugated ivory, the hilt
itself was more silver, and at the end was a sapphire.
A suppressed chuckle emanated from the doorway, and
when Alexi turned his head to determine it's owner he was
greeted by the sight of Naorume leaning against the
doorframe. The disarmoured fox smirked and advanced. It was
the first time the raccoon had seen him sans guard getup.
The vulpine looked a lot shorter in his linen casual wear,
not to mention he looked much younger and less intimidating.
He was a prime specimen of his species. Perfectly textbook
fox features, fur extremely well groomed and obviously in
top physical condition. "Well well, you almost look
convincing. almost."
Alexi cocked a brow. "Thank you. Your confidence is
appreciated." He glanced at the badger inquisitively. The
badger gave him a look saying it was alright to leave. The
raccoon nodded and trudged over to Naorume. Gods this
equipment was heavy.
Naorume started. "For all intents and purposes, I'm
your personal bodyguard. I choose the other forty-nine
guards as you requested. There's a good mix in age and
experience." Alexi nodded approvingly.
The raccoon and the fox stepped out of the armoury. The
others were waiting. Naorume and Alexi mounted their horses
and nodded to each other. There would be no time for
goodbyes. It was time to leave. Alexi wondered what the
journey would bring. It would take around a month's travel
to reach their destination. The trip wouldn't be easy
either. The young coon could look forward to endless days of
riding and swordplay.
Turning the corner onto the Via Arverius Alexi halted
his horse. Lining the sides of the street was a mass mob of
curious onlookers. More guards formed a line in front of the
now pointing and whispering people. Alexi looked over at
Naorume nervously. "Who told them?" The fox shrugged and
started his steed walking again, the coon followed
apprehensively.
Alexi wasn't really sure what to do. He supposed he
should get used to such things though. As the group of
riders neared the crowd the cheering started. At first a few
shouts and blessings, then a drowning mass of noise and
motion. The raccoon winced and waved meekly. As they
approached the first triumph arch he was a bit surprised to
see women on the top tossing flower petals down upon the
riders. There was some commotion over to the left side and a
little girl broke though the barrier of street guards. She
ran up to the stunned Alexi, kissed his horse and handed him
a bouquet of roses before being hauled away.
The party neared the gates now. As they passed through
the din started to die down. There were more throngs outside
the city walls. These people had been stuck waiting outside
by the garrison until after the little procession. Upon
seeing the purple cloak and plume and the Imperial Guards
the crowd stopped their complaining and promptly bowed or
kneeled reverently. All except for one that is.
An old squirrel woman walked defiantly towards Alexi,
prompting him to stop. He wasn't exactly sure what to say.
She didn't have to bow after all; it was merely a sign of
respect for high officials. Naorume watched carefully as the
woman took Alexi's paw into hers and looked up at him. "I
traveled far to come to Doria. My grandson was killed in
battle. but the army won't grant me his pension, I'm all the
family the boy had." Alexi shifted a bit and nodded, this
kind of thing he would have to get used to for sure. He
thought a moment; a few bystanders looked and listened
curiously to see what the enforcer would dictate.
Alexi pointed to a nearby city guard and motioned him
to come near, the guard complied and awaited instruction.
"Guard, escort this woman to the army headquarters and
recover her grandson's pension. If they raise any questions
it's on my authority."
The woman started crying softly and kissed Alexi's paw.
"Thank you, my lord. your name will always be welcome in my
village."
As the group again started moving, Naorume leaned close
to Alexi and spoke softly. "Be careful Alexi. Today the
people love you. Tomorrow they may curse the very ground you
walk on."
The young enforcer nodded to his guard, then smiled
broadly as he thought on what his father had told him about
serving the people. "It's alright Naorume. I intend to live
forever." The fox gave a confused look for a moment; his
silent question was quickly answered. "We only live once,
but if we live that life in selfless service to the people
we'll live forever in their hearts."
Naorume's face became less confused and he returned the
earlier nod, understanding now. His face now assumed a
somber and serious expression. "You realize Alexi, that all
our great heroes were forced to make great sacrifice to
become what they became." He paused a moment, drew a breath,
and continued. "There is no greatness without suffering,
Alexi. If you seek everlasting fame you'll have to accept
the gods payment; misery and suffering on your own part.
They take away what you love to give you the fame you
desired. and then when you have it you'll do anything to
take it back."
The young raccoon stared straight ahead and digested
the thought. He had never thought of it in those terms. What
kind of suffering did the gods have in store for him? He
needed to change the subject. "Will you teach me how to use
a sword? I know the basics, but I'm not the best." The fox
frowned, obviously annoyed at the subject change, and then
nodded.
The two lead the group onward down the road. The riding
on the first day was notably uneventful. There was little
discussion and very few passersby. As night started to fall,
the party decided to make spend the night in a small
village.
Alexi pointed out a lighted tavern. The guards and he
dismounted and secured their horses. The raccoon lead the
way into the building, finding it surprisingly empty. Only a
middle aged, pudgy porcupine barkeep and a handful of
patrons were present. All eyes in the tavern turned on the
newcomers. The barkeep cleared his throat and adjusted his
clothes in order to look a bit more presentable. "Evenin'
m'lord, and gents. What can I do ye for?"
The enforcer smiled and took a seat at the bar, Naorume
next to him. The other guards found spots and settled in.
Alexi unfastened his coin bag and produced two gold talents;
probably as much as the barkeep's yearly profit. "Give us
your finest stock, and something to eat."
The porcupine's eyes went wide and he tried his best
not to salivate. "Y-Yes, o'course m'lord." He quickly
vanished into the back room.
While the tavern owner went to fix the order, Alexi
stood up and turned to face the Imperial Guards. "I'm sure
I'll get to know all of you soon enough. For now, let's have
the going away party we didn't get at home, and drink to
this new adventure." The guards nodded their approval and
grinned happily. There was nothing more in line with the
Dorian tradition than soldiers using any excuse to get
slobbering drunk.
The porcupines returned hastily with a basket full of
opened wine bottles. He distributed them among the imperials
and hurried back to cook the food. Alexi poured himself then
Naorume a glass. Setting the bottle down and raising the
goblet he nodded to the guards. "To the trip!" The tavern
resounded in a cheer as they all tilted heads back and
chugged the wine down, slamming the empty goblets on the
table; another classic Dorian drinking tradition.
This process was repeated many times. Toasts to gods,
families, lovers, causes, cities, and anything worth
toasting to. By the time the food was brought out, the group
was already pretty inebriated. Nobody even really cared what
the food was, and most didn't even bother eating at that
point.
Naorume stood up, slowly and unevenly. He ruffled
Alexi's hair playfully and raised his goblet. His speech was
a bit slurred but clear enough to comprehend. "And here is
to the cutest Imperial Enforcer that I think has ever
lived."
Giggles and laughs and a few wolf whistles burst out
from the crowded room, and Alexi himself blushed after his
brain computed what had been said. He squinted his eyes into
focus and looked up at the widely grinning fox. They locked
eyes momentarily and Alexi smiled back, well, he thought he
did. Was hard to be sure exactly what he was doing.
The barkeep and other guests had conveniently
disappeared at some point it seemed. Naorume winked and
shoved a large bowl filled with wine in front of the
raccoon. Alexi stared at it doubtfully. Someone in the back
settled that doubt. "Aw, c'mon, drink it all!" The crowd
again cheered and then gasped and wooed as Alexi grinned and
lifted the bowl, chugging for several long moments then
tossing the bowl, wiping his muzzle on his paw.
His eyelids were heavy but they opened, albeit slowly.
The world came into focus and he heard the patter of rain
outside. He groaned at his stomach, already turning slightly
and.felt something on his leg, and on his chest, and his
arm. It only took him an instant before he knew. He knew
before he looked in fact. Alexi lifted his head slowly and
looked down. What he found was Naorume's head upon his
shoulder, the fox's legs were entwined with his own, and
Alexi's arm ran behind the vulpine's neck. He whimpered to
himself quietly.what had happened?
Alexi ran the night through his head. The last thing he
could recall was the massive wine bowl. He concentrated. the
images slowly started coming back. After the large wine dose
he remembered seeing someone making out with a fox. Wait,
was that himself? He drew a blank on anything else, whatever
happened after the wine was simply not recorded in his mind.
Alexi gave the fox a slight nudge.
Naorume stirred slightly and opened his eyes. Looking
back up at Alexi he smiled and murred softly. His smile
turned when he noticed the look on the raccoons face. The
fox rolled his eyes and gave Alexi's chin a quick lick. "You
were too drunk to do anything. don't worry." The fox flicked
his tail and murred again. "Great kisser though."
Alexi crinkled his nose and sighed. He wasn't mad or
disgusted, but yet he was at the same time. He was mad not
at the fact that he was lying in bed with a male he barely
knew after a wild night of drinking. What he was upset about
was that he'd let himself go so easily.and the fact that he
didn't remember any of it.
The fox could clearly see this in the other's eyes, and
he untangled himself from Alexi carefully. Naorume stood up
slowly, revealing his nude backside. Alexi's eyes widened.
The vulpine's body was beautiful.
Alexi had never really examined his bodyguard's body.
Now he wasted not a precious moment in doing so. Naorume had
dark hair that came down just above eye level. His fox
features were picture perfect. Perfect black socks on his
forearms and lower legs, perfect black tipped tail and ears,
and perfect coloration: Vivid rusty red all down the back,
inside of the legs milky white. His build was just right.
Obviously in peak physical shape, his muscles were clearly
visible yet not bulging. The fox turned his head to look
back before turning him self fully around. Oh, those eyes,
big and bright sapphire blue in color. By the gods how did
Alexi not notice this all before? The raccoon's gaze fell
lower, down to the fox's chest. Again, perfect build, not
too lean, not too muscular. The vulpine looked more like a
piece of art than a living being. Down the cream colored
chest where the fox's sheath should be was instead his tail
tucked up between his legs, covering the region. Alexi
immediately looked back up at Naorume's face.
The fox smirked widely, he knew exactly what was going
on in those brief moments, and Alexi knew that the fox knew,
but it didn't matter. He winked and licked his chops. "So
anxious to see what you hoped you didn't last night?"
Alexi didn't get a chance to defend himself. Naorume
turned back around and flicked his tail, providing the
raccoon an instant's glimpse at the fur beneath it. If it
was possible, Alexi's eyes shot open even wider and he
suppressed a gasp. The white fur under the vulpine's tail
was matted. As Naorume dressed, Alexi got himself up as
well. The fox lied, they had done more than simply kiss. He
said nothing though. was probably best he feigned ignorance.
The little revelation was on Alexi's mind all that
morning as the group prepared to disembark. He thanked the
barkeep and asked if the two talents would be enough to
cover all the expenses. The porcupine was honest, and said
it was more than enough. As he went to exit the tavern he
halted by the door. He could hear muffled and quiet
murmuring between the guards. As he exited the gossiping
stopped and the soldiers all quietly mounted their horses.
Alexi patted Matthias and climbed up. A young otter
solder next to him was obviously biting his lip. The
enforcer grinned and winked. "Would you like to sit next to
me at the next tavern?" A few snorts and snickers were heard
as the otter beat a hasty retreat to the other end of the
procession.
Naorume shrugged. "His loss." He and Alexi looked at
each other a few moments before the coon shook his head and
turned his horse onto the road.
"Enough for now. What's the next major stop on the way."
"Well, there's a major city about a days ride north,
Varuspe, we'll stop there tonight. Tomorrow, we begin your
training."
Alexi nodded as the pair led the cavalry. Tomorrow and
on it was down to business.