The Harem

Title: The Harem, part five
Author: Lady Snowblossom
Rating: NC-17
Status: Still isn’t done
Disclaimer: Guess what, I still don’t own them.


The hot wind blew out of the dingy yellow sky in gusts and swirled dust in little whirling funnels. It howled around the tightly shuttered windows of the buildings of El Tamir, like the screams of the damned, and people shivered at the so It It was the season of khamsins and all the signs promised that soon El Tamir was going to be hit by a bad one. Few people ventured out onto the streets and the merchants closed early each day. All prayed that the storm would hit soon and that they wouldn’t be out in it, when it did.

Ryo sat in his vizier’s office going over some papers. Normally, he would be holding court today, but due to the weather, he had canceled the court for the week. He frowned, when he came to one paper, glaring down at it, he addressed his vizier.

“Zeheb, why was I not told of this lion in Waldi?” he inquired, tossing the scroll back on the desktop.

Zeheb leaned over the desk and looking at Ryo for permission took it up and scanned it. “Ah, lord!” he began, “this report just came in today, and I didn’t have time to look over it fully!”

Ryo leaned back in his chair, “No matter! In the morning, order out a troop of my soldiers and have them hunt the cat down. I don’t like the thought olionlion coming so close to an inhabited area. Someone might get hurt. I’d go myself, but I gave Saran my word that I would be here when our child is born!”

Zeheb nodded, and rolled up the piece of paper and placed it in a cabinet with several other rolls of paper. Ryo picked up the next scroll and began to scan it. By the time, the two men had worked through the pile of scrolls, the watery sun was far across the sky, the shadows were starting to lengthen and the bell that summoned the slaves to dinner was tolling in the distance.

“Ryo.”

Ryo dropped the last scroll, he had been perusing and glanced up quickly, Zeheb almost NEVER called him by name, unless it was something important.

“Yes, Zeheb?” What is it? Is there something you wanted?” Ryo asked, as he leaned back in his chair. Zeheb also leaned back and smiled a trifle ruefully. “Lord, I don’t want anything. But, would you listen to an old man’s opinions.” Ryo nodded. Before he began, Zeheb rose and went to a table off to the side of the room and brought back a silver coffee service, he set it down on the desk and poured a cup of the fragrant drink. He offered the cup to Ryo, who took it with a smile of thanks.

Pouring himself a cup, Zeheb settled into his chair and regarded Ryo over the cup’s rim. “Ryo, I’m an old man, but I remember what it lik like to be young. I’ve know for a long time that you aren’t happy about being the lord of this pile of sand.” Ryo flushed lightly at hearing some of his feelings put so bluntly. “So, I’ve taken some liberties on your behalf.” Ryo raised an eyebrow at that. Zeheb smiled and took a sip of his coffee, before continuing. “I have several influential friends at court, and I’ve asked them to intercede with the Khalif for you.”

Ryo was stunned. He hadn’t expected this! “Zeheb!” The older man waved his hand, fending off Ryo’s exclamation. “You are much too talented to be wasted here! And I will do what I can to see that you are moved to a place, where you will be of more use to the empire!” Zeheb said, calmly. “Now, about the second thing I wanted to speak to you about. Saran is due anytime, am I not correct?” Ryo nodded, “That old harpy of a chief midwife says, any day now.”

The vizier noted the venom in Ryo’s voice at the mention of the Chief midwife. “I know it’s not usual, but have you considered having the doctor attend the birth, instead of the midwives?” “Have you added mind-reading to your many talents?” Ryo laughed. “I’ve have done that very thing, the doctor is waiting for my summons.\"” Ryo\'s face and voice hardened, “I let those witches have their way and Miriam and my son died! But, I won’t make the same mistake twice!”

Sitting down his empty cup, Zeheb noted Ryo’s clenched fists and nodded, “Well, my lord, now that I’ve said what I wanted to say for now. Will you give your consent to call it a day, and let this old man go to his sadly neglected dinner?” Zeheb’s voice held a plaintive note and he clasped his stomach dramatically. Ryo stared at him, then started laughing helplessly. “Go! You old fraud! Get out of my sight!”

The vizier levered himself out of the chair, bowed and left. Ryo stared after him, then rose and went off to his own dinner, and then he’d go to visit his wife.

Slaves stood in the corners of the House of Ikbals and waved fans, trying to move the air around. Candles guttered in the overhead lamps casting strange shadows on the walls. Several boys sat or laid around, too hot to move. A couple of boys were playing chess with some others idly watching.

“Your move.” Rowan told his opponent. A pair of laughing indigo eyes rose from the board to regard him, then dropped back to the board. A tawny hand shot out and moved a knight. Rowan swore under his breath, he had been hoping that Dov would overlook that move. “Checkmate in four.” said a smooth voice from over the two players heads.

Rowan looked up from the board and glared at the blonde standing behind Dov. “Hillel, has anyone ever told you, you’re a pain in the...” A cough covered Rowan’s last word, and Hillel grinned, as Rowan tipped over his queen in capitulation. Dov began to replace the pieces for another game.

Glancing over his shoulder at Hillel, Dov grinned. Then turning his attention back to the board, he cocked a brown eyebrow at Rowan and asked, “Again?” “Hai. You’ve beaten me three out of three, and I’m gonna win one or die trying.” growled Rowan.

“Hail Caesar, we who are about to die, salute you.” a new voice entered the conversation. Up walked Silvio, a friend of Hillel and Dov’s. He was carrying a tray laden with a pitcher of fruit juice and a brace of cups. “If you are going to beat Dov, Rowan, you’ll have to play better than that, hthe the harem champion.” Silvio laughed, as he set down the tray and picked up the pitcher and began to pour. Rowan grinned wolfishly, “I intend to...”

Yawning, Sage sat in the corner and watched his friend laughing with the boys over the chess set. He raised a hand to his forehead and wiped sweat away. Gods, its’ hot! No wonder Cy had retired early, complaining about a throbbing headache. I think I’ll go to bed as well, he thought, as he stifled yet another yawn. Sage rose from his cushion and slipped unnoticed from the room.


The air in his room was stifling and Sage, after house of trying to sleep, snatched up a robe, put on his slippers and slipped from his room. He snuck down the stairs and went outside. The air outside wasn’t much better, but at least there was a breeze. The sun hadn’t yet begun to crest the hills, so Sage went deeper into the garden, surrounding the courtyard. He walked until he came to a small pool that Cy had found and told him about. Sage sank down under one of the trees overhanging the pool and laid back against the tree trunk. The breeze under the trees was a tiny bit cooler and pregnant with the scent of many flowers and fruits.

He closed his eyes, and breathed in the heavy flower scent. A shift in the wind wound a thread of apricot scent around his senses. Apricots, his mother was fond of apricots. She would wear perfume made from the fruit and pickle them for the winter months. For just a moment, Sage could see his mother’s face behind his closed eyelids, and he could hear her calling his name. Sage’s eyes snapped open and he leapt to his feet, hopelessly reaching for the vision and crying despairingly, “Mother!” Only the calls of the early morning birds answered him, and he slid down the trunk and curled up on his side and cried himself to sleep.

Ryo thrashed around in his bed. God! He thought, I’ve got to get some sleep! He kicked off the sheet that had lightly wrapped his nude body. He donned a robe and went out the secret entrance to his quarters, and walked out into his private garden.

The sky was turning gray, when Ryo stumbled across Sage’s sleeping form. He stood staring down at the beautiful blonde. He could see the tear tracks that stained Sage’s cheeks and wondered what had made this beautiful angel cry.

Ryo sank down onto the ground and studied the boy before him. Absently, he noted the way; the child of Apollcheschest rose and fell with each breath he took. Then he took in the rest of the sweet form curled on the ground. He had long sleek legs that seemed to run forever. Ryo’s eyes continued to travel up the sleeping boy’s form. The tantalizing glimpse of the boy’s pale chest made Ryo swallow hard. And his face! It would rival the fabled Hes! s! Ryo softly sucked in a breath and blew it out sharply.

Delicately, Ryo extended a finger and softly touched hair made of spun gold. At the slight touch, Sage’s eyes flared open and he started away from the man sitting in front of him. Sage rose to a half-crouch, ready to flee. “Don’t go.” Ryo softly commanded, and Sage stilled. Ryo reached out again and lightly ran a finger down Sage’s cheek. Sage shivered at the touch.

Sage kept his eyes downcast, but he was completely aware of Ryo’s eyes on him. “You’re Sage, aren’t you?” Ryo asked, keeping his voice soft and calming. “Yes, my lord.” Sage managed to find his voice, and was desperately proud of the fact that his words didn’t come out in a squeak. Ryo looked closer at the crouching boy. He didn’t look to be much younger than he, Ryo was.

As Sage continued to hold still under the gently caressing finger of his lord’s hand. He tried hard not to squirm. Nervously, he ran the tip of his tongue over his suddenly dry lips. Ryo found the tiny action to be unsetgly gly erotic. An old familiar pressure began to build in Ryo’s belly and groin. Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed Sage by the shoulders and forced him over backwards to the ground.

Sage groaned, as his back hit the ground, and Ryo landed on top of him. Forgetting his lessons, forgetting everything, but the basic instinct to flee, Sage began to struggle. Ryo grabbed his face between his hands and forced his mouth over Sage’s. As he forced his tongue into the writhing blonde’s mouth, the boy suddenly went limp. Confused, Ryo backed off and stared down at the youth. Sage had fainted.

Ryo rose from the boy’s limp body, and he stepped off the side to ponder the situation, he’d never been faced with someone, who had fainted before. He went to the pool and wetted the sash of his robe and went back and gently washed Sage’s face with it. Sage moaned and his eyes slowly opened.

“Please, my lord. I’m not a peasant ready for a quick tumble una bua bush.” Sage whispered, as he looked up at Ryo. Ryo was struck by the sincerity of those words.

“No, my beauty. You’re right. You deserve a scented chamber, and a lord who is already intrigued by you.” Ryo said, as he held out a hand and helped Sage to his feet. As they stood staring at each other, Ryo finally spoke, “Go back to your quarters. And see that you tell no one of this interlude.” “Yes, my lord.” Sage whispered, turning he strode gracefully away. Ryo watched the blonde vanish through the screen of trees.

Inwardly, he cursed himself, if that descendant of Adonis hadn’t fainted, Ryo knew he would have raped the boy right then and there. And that would have destroyed any hope he had of winning the boy’s love. Ryo blinked and examined that last thought closely. Yes, he did want Sage’s love. So, since he’d promised the boy a scented ber.ber. A scented chamber he would have. His mind full of plans, Ryo stifled a yawn and turned to seek his bed.

Sage slipped back into the building and hurried into his room. Once there, he sat on the side of the bed and raised trembling fingers to his kiss swollen lips. He hadn’t missed the look in Ryo’s eyes. The lord had been ready to take him by force. But, when he had fainted, and Sage couldn’t remember the last time that had happened! Ryo had just revived him and sent him home with a promise. Sage shied away from the implications of thaomisomise.

Suddenly, exhausted Sage turned and crawled into his bed and fell to sleep. He slept right though morning prayers and didn’t emerge until lunchtime. There were some twenty ikbals, so lunch was a noisy affair with them all talking and laughing at once. Not even the presence of the two favorites could dampen the good humor of the youths.

A man dressed in red and white walked in, and a pool of silence spread out from him, as each boy noted his presence. The man stood and surveyed the group, then he approached the low table that Sage was sharing with Rowan and Cy. He stopped in front of Sage, who paled.

The man bowed and noting the boy’s pallid face, he quietly asked, “Are you the ikbal, Sage?” Not trusting his voice, Sage slowly nodded. The man straightened, “Our gracious lord, may he live forever! Has summoned you to attend him, this night at nine o’clock!”

Sage felt Cy’s arm go around him, as he answered in a shaking voice, “Tell our lord that his slave hears and obeys! I will attend him at nine, this night!” The man nodded, bowed and withdrew. Sage drew in a shaking breath and shivered, Cy’s arm tightened around him. Absolute silence reigned, then the other boys surged to their feet and came running. They piled into Sage and his companions, all shouting happily. None noticed Kento and Yuli in their corner, glaring with hate filled eyes.

Kento and Yuli had both looked with wary eyes at Ryo Ryo’s messenger. Of late, when Akim had shown it hit had been to summon others to Ryo’s bed. They weren’t sure what they had done to make Ryo lose interest, but they were determined to stay in power. Kento leaned over to Yuli and whispered, “We’re going to have to do something, or we’re going to end up with the rest of Ryo’s forgotten favorites! Or are you interested in joining Dais, Heero and the rest! Dais and Heero had been the two favorites; they had replaced.

Yuli shot Kento a poisonous glare. “No!” He hissed, “But, lets’ wait and see what happens tonight! Who knows, the little fool might take care of our problem for us. Then, we can take care of the other two, when the need arises! Now, let’s go congratulate him!” Kento opened his mouth to protest, but Yuli silenced him with a glare. As he dragged Kento to his feet, Yuli hissed in Kento’s ear.

“Listen, idiot! We must act with perfect propriety! We mustn’t do anything twillwill arouse the suspicions of the Aga. So, we treat Sage with all the courtesy due him, as a newly chosen playmate of our lord! Damn you, now move! And smile!”

With totally false smiles on their faces, Yuli dragged Kento through the mass of bodies that had engulfed Sage and pulled him from the group.

“Congratulations, Sage! Kento and I wish you the very best! We will be helping you thorough some of the preparations, such as your bridal bath, so we will join you in your quarters at seven.” Yuli said, pleasantly. He pinched Kento, who sourly added his congratulations. The two men, then departed, leaving the ikbals to plan how they would honor Sage’s first visit to Lord Ryo’s chambers. Eager hands reached out and pulled Sage back into the group, the chatter not abating a decibel.