Bastard!! Fan Fiction ❯ Rapture. ❯ The Evening. ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimers and Warnings: The same as before.

Part 4. The Evening.

Everyone's un-favorite, but rich merchant had gathered his harem about him in the dinning hall, the girls giggling and flirting with their master as servants poured wine and served fruit on a usual evening when the man had retired for the day. A hired craftsman was busy studying the large sphere of what looked like sapphire crystal before he picked up some craving tools. The merchant had finally decided to commission the gem into a statue of his likeness and decorate his home with the unused pieces. The harem girls were excited with this bit of distraction from their usual day-to-day schedule.

" Remember to carve my inner greatness as well as my exterior, " the merchant hinted to the craftsman.

" Of course, sir, " the carver replied and carefully made the first chip. The small wound in the perfect sphere suddenly spread out, covering the gem with spider web cracks and the craftsman briefly wondered what kind of death he might be ordered from the ill tempered merchant's guards. Then the sphere shattered into millions of smaller gemstones, all rounded and polished right before everyone's eyes, each gem clashing against each other and making a raining like sound. Perched on the pile was a sleeping, curled up young man, fair in hair and flesh and wearing foreign clothes that were a little too warm for the desert climate. A moment of silence hung heavy in the air.

Kall Su found his peaceful sleep broken by the strong scent of something musky and sweet. Incense? Was that it? Broken bits of information fell into place and Kall Su nodded to his waking self that, yes, the smell was that of incense. He opened his eyes and allowed his sight to return.

' Where am I? Who am I? Kall Su… That sounds familiar. Kall Su must be who I am, but where am I from? '

The ice mage found himself sitting on a pile blue gems and looked around. Spices and incense his nose told him that he wasn't usually familiar with filled the night's air. Dry, warm desert air drifting in from craved wooden panels reached him. Kall Su looked around, absorbing every little detail in his surroundings. Knowledge he wasn't aware he had told him this was alien to his usual surroundings from the clothes he was dressed in and how pale his skin was from the others he was now noticing in the room. Kall Su gave a startled cry when he found himself at the end of seven guards' swords and stumbled backwards off the pile of gems and onto the mosaic tiled floor.

" No! " Kall Su begged.

" Stop! " The merchant ordered and came to stand over the boy cowering on his floor. He studied the boy's looks and actions carefully. He reached out and grabbed the boy's arm, pulling up the sleeve to feel the boy's skin. Kall Su protested and struggled briefly before the warning of the guards' swords near by caused him to stop. He glared at their master.

His skin was as pale as a pearl and just as smooth and oddly cool. And with his hair as fair as rare white gold and eyes like the color of violet gems, the boy would be a precious new addition to his harem! Although he had lost his chance of making a jeweled statue of himself, the merchant had gained an exotic addition to his harem that none of the other merchants had who would have to hand out quite a fortune to have and he had gotten his for free, no need the pay the craftsman for his service since there was no statue to carve, but he had the gems to decorate his home anyway, and a wonderful tale to tell of how he pulled one over the famed Captain Hunter Moon!

" Excellent! My fortune just keeps getting better and better! The gods must be smiling upon me! " The merchant cheered.

Kall Su was shaking his head fiercely. He could understand this man's foreign language, but it was so different from the one he used to think to himself! How did he know all this? Where did it come from! He couldn't remember a teacher's face or the name of a book he might have learned from. Why, oh why?!

" Let go of me! " Kall Su spat.

The merchant allowed the boy to jerk his arm free and stood up. " Escort the boy to my personal chambers. I must explore this added gift Captain Hunter Moon unknowingly gave me, " he leered to the girls in his harem. They giggled and asked their master if they might join in with the lovely boy's first night.

Horror filled Kall Su and he leaped up, stumbling over the scattered gems before being pinned against a corner by the guards. " No! You will not touch me, you pig! "

" I own you, boy! I'm your master now! " The merchant sneered. The sooner the boy learned who was in charge, the better!

Something familiar stirred in Kall Su's veins. Something so familiar that he found comfort with it even with an erased mind. He could smell ice in the desert air and a wave of ease fell over him. The opal on his forehead flashed.

" You will not touch me, " Kall Su said as calmly as he could, seeking a way to call forth this familiar stirring in his veins. His head started to throb as memories tried desperately to return. The opal glowed and Kall Su uttered a tiny sigh of loss when the familiar power vanished and his head ached no more. But he was also glad for the relief from the dull pain.

" Grab him and there had better be not one scratch on his body! " The merchant shouted.

The guards lunged for Kall Su. Powerless now, but willing to fight for his freedom anyway the ice mage readied himself to fight the seven men. The gift from the Siren queen released its magic and with a rumbled that sounded like distant thunder approaching a huge serpent appeared before Kall Su, shielding the boy from his would be attackers. Serpent eyes flashed red and its scales black like ebony gleamed in the flickering candlelight and those on its belly were like opals themselves. Quicker then the eye could follow sharp fangs found sunk deeply into each of the guards' necks and the venom froze their blood.

The harems girls screamed in horror as each man fell over. Kall Su stared in a horrid fascination and looked back at the serpent clearly here for his protection alone. The huge snake turned its sight on the merchant. The man saw the snake's intention for his death and shielded himself behind one of his slaves. The girls screamed and ran off to opposite walls, praying they weren't next. The snake aimed true at his only victim and bit the merchant's neck. He had few precious moments to appreciate feeling his blood freeze before he fell over dead. The harem girls ran from the room screaming while servants streamed into the streets yelling that their master had been murdered.

The snake turned to Kall Su. " Master, you better flee from this house at once and seek the dark to hid yourself, " it hissed and vanished. The opal ceased its glowing.

Nodding wordless at the now absent serpent, Kall Su jumped through the windows, smashing apart the carved wooden panels that were thankfully thin and ran into the night as far as his legs would take him and before his lungs gave out.

* - * - *

' What am I going to do now? ' Kall Su thought as he laid in hiding in the alley. He cautiously peered over the wooden crates empty of their cargo and tossed aside and now piling up forgotten. His thick tunic and pants were starting to become too warm and Kall Su undid each button in an attempt to cool himself off. Seeing no one coming for him just yet Kall Su sat down on a wooden crate and thought.

' I must plan my next steps very carefully. I have am idea of whom I am, but no idea where I've come from or how I ended up in that man's house. He said he bought me, but who sold me? Was I a slave? No, I don't think I was. Not if I have this protecting me. ' He paused, touching the gem on his forehead. ' It seems I have some kind of power so am I a mage of some sort? If so, why I can't I remember how to use it? Did someone cast a spell on me and sell me to that man? An enemy perhaps? Do I have any money or identity papers of some sort? '

Kall Su fished through his pockets, but only found handfuls of opals in each one. ' Bizarre, but at least I have some money. Knowing who I am and where I come from would be nice. Well, since I have money and seeing that someone will come after me for my familiar killing that man, I should see about a change of clothes and something to eat. This heat is horrible! '

Coming to the edge of the alley, Kall Su peered around and when he didn't see any signs of immediate danger, carefully entered the streets. Seeing fair skinned sailors, pirates, merchants, vacationers, and some natives, he felt a little better of blending in with the crowd. His belly grumbled and Kall Su felt it must have been a while since he last ate. Food would come after he had guised himself and would be able to tread the streets easier. Spotting a store selling bolts of cloth and clothing Kall Su entered the shop and scanned the many isles of brightly and/or dark colored dyed material. A pale blue tunic of a much lighter and thinner material, gauze, perfect for desert dwellers caught the boy's eye. The material was light, but well woven so it would last years even with a lot of wear. The v-neck line plunged deeply, but it had a pair of ties and dark blue parsley pattern embroidered along the neckline and edges of the sleeves. With the shirt he added brown pants made from a tough material he couldn't name and a satin sash dyed burgundy for a belt. With a need to hid his face from law officers and most of his pale skin from the sun should he be in the city after dawn, Kall Su also picked up a sari like garment dyed black, the material light against the desert heat like his tunic with a deep purple parsley pattern embroidery along the edges that matched the one on his tunic.

" I will take these, please, " Kall Su said to the very pregnant woman who had been watching him in her shop.

" What have you to trade for them? " She asked.

Kall Su reached into his pocket and placed five large opals on the table she stood behind. " Will these be enough? " He asked. Seeing her eyes light up with delight told the young mage it was more then enough payment for the clothes.

" Yes, " she smiled at her rich customer and very glad he wasn't some pirate or thief.

" Do you have somewhere I may use to change? " Kall Su asked, hoping her delight at such a rich commission would keep her from question what might be an unusual request. But the ice mage also hoped it wasn't and was more then willing to tip her if need be.

" Of course, sir. Right this way, " the woman smiled and called for one her children to escort their customer to a room where he could change.

* - * - *

Captain Moon entered the shop where he hoped the sash was still there and was delighted to find the deep plum sash waiting for him. He picked it up and moved to find the woman. She was returning from the back, probably having another customer in the store changing or trying something on in a spar room.

" How much for this? " He asked.

" Two silver coins, please, " the shop owner replied. For such a low price for satin and how her eyes held a kind of glee the captain of the Scarlet Sea Lady sometimes saw when a merchant had just come into a large commission, business must be doing very well right before he entered the store. Probably some rich man's wife buying herself a whole new wardrobe, he mused.

' Or a very wealthy client back there looking through the imported expensive silk, ' Captain Moon thought and decided to take advantage of the lady's good mood. He added some native silk sari printed sheets to the satin sash, paid for it all with some gold coins, and left in search of his favorite tavern in the sea side desert city before returning to his ship.

Kall Su emerged from the back now wearing his new clothes and felt better dressed in the desert appropriate wear. He caught sight of what appeared to be a pirate leaving the store before the shop owner rushed up to him to make sure her customer was happy with his purchases. If he wasn't she would lose his future business and those of his associates by word of trade.

" The colors look so handsome on you, sir. Do they please you? "

" Yes, thank you, " Kall Su replied. His gaze fell upon her swelled middle section where her yet to be born child waited. Sadness filled him and his violet eyes misted over. Kall Su placed a hand over his eyes to keep tears from falling as something tightened in his chest. Why was he crying? A mother expecting a child was something to be happy over was the general reaction.

" Are you alright? " The woman asked, touching his arm. She had seen the misting of the young man's eyes when he looked at her unborn child and felt a kind of maternal concern. After all, her rich customer was much younger looking then herself and he was clearly alone. Usually a rich customer was accompanied with a bodyguard against the thieves in her city. Perhaps he was alone because he was rich and suddenly the woman was glad for her family and simple business.

Kall Su was touched by the concern in her voice, her motherly touch to his arm, and became a little embarrassed by his emotion slip. He rubbed his eyes with his sleeve and smiled at her.

" I'm fine, thank you, " he assured her, patting her hand and removed it gently from his arm. With that, Kall Su left the shop and stepped into the night's air. He took a deep breath to gather himself, wrapped a corner of his sari over his face and went in search of a tavern or inn.

Following the smells in the air Kall Su found a tavern that suited his needs well enough. There was a large gathering of foreigners at the bar and tables, all drinking, some eating, some being entertained by the tavern whores so one more foreigner would be able to fall into the crowd un-noticed. It was mostly sailors and pirates, Kall Su found out, when he took a table off in the corner that was out of sight from the door. A whore walked up to him the moment he sat down.

" What will you have, dear? " She asked, wearing a little too much make up and perfume for his taste.

" Something worth eating and clean water, " the ice mage ordered.

" Just water? " The whore asked, clearly disappointed with the lack of business and he guessed alcohol was business.

" A mug of sweet wine, then, " Kall Su added and handed over an opal. The girl perked up and hurried off to retrieve his meal and drinks. Kall Su removed the sari from his face and looked around the tavern. He knew he would have to leave this city very soon or eventually be caught by whatever law ruled here and he didn't trust their justice system. Especially since he was a foreigner. He had the funds to buy a ship, but no idea how to sail and he would have to gather a crew. Not that Kall Su felt he could trust anyone here. Buying a ship was out of order. Maybe he could sign on a vessel instead. Again, he would have to find a captain and a crew he wouldn't have to watch his back around all the time.

' This isn't looking good, ' he thought and was then brought his meal. The stew and bread was good. Both hot and fresh, no doubt thanks to the opal he paid with it. As was the water. He slowly sipped his sweet wine after eating and froze when a group of men, city officers by their armor, entered the tavern. He slipped under the table. ' Shit! Shit! I thought I would have no time! '

Planning a quick desperate action to cut and run, Kall Su reached into the pockets on his pants and withdrew handfuls of opals. He waited for when the guards were away from the door and tossed the gems into the middle of the room by the officers.

" Treasure! " Someone cried and everyone with a greedy bone in his or her body leaped for the rainbow colored gems. Kall Su slipped out the back door and vanished down the dark alley; briefly glad he had paid for his meal when he did. Honest, even when running for his life and the ice mage chuckled to himself. He stopped to rest up against a stonewall that was near the docks and could hear the soft sounds of waves lapping along the shoreline. Gulls called out overhead and the smell of sea air reached his nose. Kall Su took a deep breath of the sea and felt a calm rush over him.

" What are you running from, whelp? " Came a voice from behind him.

Kall Su whipped around. A match was struck, the quick smell of sulfur, and a small flame cast light into the dark alley to reveal a handsome and slightly intimidating face.

* - * - *

Relaxing a bit in his favorite tavern before heading back to his Scarlet Sea Lady and his delectable first mate, Captain Moon had caught a young man hiding his face enter the sea man's tavern. Those lovely violet eyes, enhanced by the dark sari, scanned the room before the lad decided to enter. Intrigued, Moon watched him order a meal from a whore, pay for it with an opal, and try to relax while lost in deep thought. When he removed the sari from his face, the captain's breath caught in his voice. The boy was lovely and clearly on the run with no one to find aid from. He wondered what perverted merchant had sent the boy running? Captain Moon could think of a few and pondered the idea of recruiting the boy for his ship. He doubted anyone on the Scarlet would be able to resist the lad. His eyes made him appear harsh, but seemed to hide a more tender soul.

' Well, Will and I do need a cabin boy, ' Moon thought to himself, offering a vaguely reasonable excuse to the gods that had nothing to do with him libido. He would wait until the boy clearly relaxed some more before approaching him and enjoyed watching the boy. Captain Moon never got that chance once officers entered the tavern and he saw the lad tense and hid under his table. Moon paid for his drink and got ready to come to the boy's aid if need be. He waited to see what the whelp would do to get out of the situation. A sharp mind was also something attractive to a pretty face. When the boy reached into his pockets, tossed out handfuls of opals, and made a mad run for it while everyone was distracted, Captain Moon gave the young man credit for a simple, but effective plan. Moon hurried after the boy, avoiding fellow sailors and pirates fighting over the gems.

He followed after fair one. ' Lad's quick. ' And found him taking a breather in an alley near the docks.

No time like the present. " What are you running from, whelp? "

Captain Moon light a match so both could see each other. The lad looked good in the light of the flame.

" Who are you? " He asked.

" Captain Hunter Moon, at your service, " the pirate replied with a bow.

" Pirate, " the boy replied.

" Aye and since you know my name, it' s only fair I should know yours, " Captain Moon said.

" Kall Su. " Was spoken only after a moment of the boy's hesitation.

" Just Kall Su? " Captain Moon asked.

Kall Su bit his lower lip. " I think so, yes, " he replied. Think so? Didn't the boy know? But Captain Hunter Moon enjoyed a challenge.

" Well, lad, seeing how you seen to be on the run from the law perhaps my crew, ship, and I could be of service? " Moon offered. He was curious to know why the boy was running and wondered if he could guess and secure the lad among his crew? " I'm guessing some rich merchant got a little too fresh when he tried to woo you and you left him with a departing less to be desired. "

The flame got too close to Moon's fingers for comfort and with a flick of his wrist he killed the flame before relighting another. The look on Kall Su's face told the pirate he had hit close to the truth.

" I'm sure he got whatever he deserved, " Captain Moon said.

" He's dead, " Kall Su whispered.

" Dead? "

" The snake killed him. All of them. Him. The guards. And I won't be able to keep running forever. They'll find me soon enough and if they don't kill me I'm sure I'll be sold off to another like that man, " Kall Su murmured more to himself then the handsome older and taller man besides him.

" Well, we can't have that, now can we? " Moon smiled and draped an arm over the ice mage's shoulders, " The Scarlet Sea Lady is looking for another crew member and I liked how you handled yourself back there. Why not sign with us? "

" I… " From the tensing of his shoulders, Kall Su wasn't certain he wanted to sign on board a ship full of pirates.

" I give you my word of honor that my crew will leave you alone. Can't blame them really. You are lovely, whelp, " Captain Moon grinned.

The second match had gone out, but Captain Moon hadn't bothered to light another one. Kall Su glanced up at him, this man he didn't know, but offering a chance to escape this city that was after him. Still, there was something familiar about this man, someone who naturally fell or took command and was used to getting his way, doing and saying what he wanted. A little annoying, kind of endearing, but very familiar and comforting.

" Al right. I'm join the Scarlet Sea Lady and her crew, " Kall Su said.

" Wonderful, lad. I'm sure you'll get along well with my ship and crew. And we can teach you how to become a fine pirate, but firstly all my crew carries the mark of my ship so that'll be something to take care of once we get out to see, " Captain Moon said and lead the boy towards his lady of the sea.

" Mark? "

" A tattoo, whelp, like this one. You choose where it to mark yourself, " Captain Moon said, rolling back his sleeve to show the crimson tattoo on his arm. A lady's profile silhouette done in a deep red with long flowing hair circling her head was light up in the moonlight.

" It's lovely, " Kall Su admitted.

" And here's the ship herself, " Captain Moon said. There were a few of his crew left on board. Faith was guarding the wheel and when she saw her captain the woman gave out a call of his return to those on board.

" Faith, come meet the new cabin boy, " Moon smiled.

" Does the lad have a name? " She asked and smiled at the ice mage, " Gloria Faith at your service. If any of the crew gets fresh, let me know and I'll make sure they leave you alone. "

" I'm Kall Su, " the violet-eyed young man replied, a little cool towards the female. He paused. Why? She hadn't done anything to him. Did something in his past make him not trust women? If Faith sensed it, she didn't let on. Only smiled at the lad, a few years younger then she.

" Captain, what have you brought back? " William Deep asked, coming up to his lover's side and wrapped an arm around the man's shoulders as Moon's wrapped around his waist. He looked over the native dressed and fair young man his lover had brought back from the city. He smiled, " When you said you were going to bring me back a present, this isn't what I was expecting, luv. "

Kall Su felt his face grow red in the moonlight. Chuckling with her friends, Gloria Faith took pity on the lad as she and led the boy to an empty cabin that had been occupied by her first mate before the blond had moved into Moon's cabin. The former first mate's cabin was roomy and she hoped the space would make the boy ease into his new surroundings. She bid him a goodnight and left.

' What have I gotten myself into? ' Kall Su thought, but he didn't feel compelled to leave.

TBC