Luris’s Luck part 1

By Jobee - - - All original, please don’t steal.

 

The hot sun beat down on the gold sand that swept through the streets, between the legs of horses and camels.  Venders shouted from colorful tents, boasting rainbow beads and pottery, silver and silk, for a price.  The mix of manure and herbs stung the air.  Elegant robes walked the streets and rode on large beasts.  Dirty rags scurried between buildings, out of view.  All this ran like rivers along the canyon-like buildings of clay and brick.

“Hey, Farren.  Are you in there?”  The sharp brown eyes of a young man smirked as he looked down at his dreaming, younger brother.  His grin was very boyish, but the rest of his body contradicted, every inch of his golden brown skin revealing a man.

“Yes, I’m fine.  I just don’t want to go,” Farren was tired of the endless yo-yo between Miss Villiane’s and his own home.  He couldn’t stand the house that held his older brother’s infatuation.  Having to play cute and well behaved in front of his brother’s future father-in-law wasn’t making it any easier.  “Rahad, I hate the in-laws!  Do I look like a pet monkey to entertain them?”

“But you make such a cute monkey!  Besides, if they really like you, we could arrange a mariage with another one of their daughters.  Have you any idea how good that would be for our family?”  Rahad continued, “Or you could live in the toybox with their other dolls.”  “Stop that!”  Farren pushed back his thick black mass of hair; “I don’t look girly anyway, so stop trying to sell me!”  Rahad ignored his younger brother’s complaints and told a servant to braid Farren’s hair as they rode through the busy street.  The young woman climbed on Farren’s steed and began to brush the wiry nest.  Villianne’s father’s estate was near the capitol building.  Farren didn’t care.  He was sick of playing this game for his older brother’s marriage! 

Despite all rebellion, Farren was, once again, heading up the alabaster stairs.  Elegant gold vines surrounded the tall doors, whining when they opened.  They were immediately welcomed by a large, beaming man.  His eyes were bright and beady, oddly matched on his round, and bearded face.  Sharp, white teeth glared from inside the cavernous smile.  Those teeth terrified Farren.  He thought they would eat him.

“Well hello!  What a pleasure it is to have you here,” Villianne’s father Atonu bellowed at the door, “Come on in!” Atonu picked Farren two feet off the floor and kissed him on the cheek.  Farren squinted when Atonu’s whiskers scratched his face.  Farren looked to his older brother for help, an excuse or distraction to let him go. No such luck.  Rahad’s face turned to stone, but not in Farren’s direction. 

A tall, slender figure stood beside Rahad’s fiancée.  He wore exotic, black robes, lined with silver lilies.  Dark waves of silvery black hair tumbled down, reaching out to brush those lilies.  Never had Farren ever seen such long hair before.  The young man’s face was smooth and narrow, pale as the moon.  He must have traveled from far away to look so exotic.  Villianne looked very pleased to have this newcomer’s company.  Rahad didn’t look pleased at all.

“Pardon me, I don’t believe we’ve been introduced,” Rahad glowered.  He clenched his fists. 

“Rahad!  I haven’t introduced you to my nephew yet?  A thousand apologies!” Atonu gasped.  “This is my sister’s son, Lusidas Deyun,” the young man bowed on the queue of his name.

“I’m Rahad, Villianne’s fiancé,” he gingerly took the lovely extended hand with slit eyes.  Lusidas’s hand in Rahad’s was like a pearl in the sand.  Rahad seemed relieved that Lusidas was a cousin, not a suitor.  He had a hard time with competition.  “Oh, and this is Farren,” Rahad raised a lazy arm towards the fuming bishounen.  How dare he treat me like a second thought! 

“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” a silvery voice slid through the air like a snake.  The stranger moved towards Farren like the one he was floating, and then placed a cool hand on Farren’s cheek.  Farren was suddenly gazing into midnight eyes that sparkled like glitter.  He shivered, not being used to such close contact. 

“Nice to see that you two get along!” Rahad snickered.  That snapped Farren back into focus.  He was still at the in-laws’ house.  He looked at the marble floor, his face burning.  Then, the elegant hand that was on the side of his face cupped his chin gently.  Farren’s gaze followed the black river of hair to the white smiling face.  Is he making fun of me too?   His thinking was stopped by the touch of velvet lips brushing his forehead.  The minor contact sent electric shocks through Farren, and he realized that he didn’t mind. 

“Well, the case being you’re my dear cousin’s fiancé, I’m certain that you have plans to attend to.  I would love Farren’s company in my chambers,” that silky voice beckoned, “over a game of chess?”

“Go ahead and take the little twerp,” Rahad shrugged casually and turned to shower his lovely fiancée with attention.

“Oh, Wonderful! I’m relieved that you’re all getting along!” Atonu beamed.  Then, he headed for the dining hall to see if dinner would be ready on time.  That left Lusidas and Farren.  The room seemed to cool off a little in the momentary silence.  Oh, Wonderful!  Now I have to entertain this complete stranger.  Farren was not pleased with the way the afternoon had been arranged. 

“Do you play chess?” Farren turned around to look at Lusidas’s face. 

“Are you addressing me?” Farren asked cautiously.

“Of course!” Lusidas smiled gently, “I invited you to a game, not your older brother.”  He eyed Farren curiously, then turned. “Come along, my guestrooms are this way.”  With nothing better to do, or any reason to rebel, Farren allowed Lusidas to lead him. 

 

 

Stepping into Lusidas’s chambers was like walking into another world.  The air no longer had the sting of the outside vendors.  The burning, sharp sunlight was replaced by a soft, shadowy glow from the windows.  Farren was astounded by the display of shadows and drapes.  The furniture was low, and made of finely polished black stone.  Three red candles illuminated a marble chess table.

“Tell me, is your brother always so arrogant? I hope my lovely cousin isn’t in for his attitude,” Lusidas quipped as he sat down at the chess table.  The other chair stood, empty and patient.  Farren looked around nervously, then took a step towards the chair.  It didn’t seem uninviting or anything, but not entirely welcoming either.  Farren took a breath and sat across from Lusidas.  The candlelight flickered against his face.  A few strands of raven hair fell into his eyes as the rest flowed down his neck to mingle with the long cloak that hung gracefully over his shoulders. 

“You seem to much on your mind today, hmm?” Farren was pulled back into focus by the little tease.

“Of course not! I mean, some stuff, but I was just sick of entertaining Villianne’s family for my brother and I was never taught chess because my folks thought I would sit around and be stupid all my life!  That’s why they’re posing me as a girl and trying to marry me off, so they won’t have to care!”  Farren gasped at his own outburst.

“Do you think they are trying to marry you off to me?” Lusidas leaned back and eyed Farren with concern.

“I, I don’t know,” Farren couldn’t believe how much his head hurt just then.   What started out as a wisecrack, just got so revealing!  Soon, he was fighting back tears and staring down at his hands.  “I just don’t wanna do this anymore!”  Lusidas stepped over to the other chair and pulled Farren into his lap, on the floor.  Farren leaned his head on the regal man’s chest, still struggling to keep his composure.  Lusidas ran his fine fingers through Farren’s hair and kissed his forehead, but it was different this time.  This time it was much more soothing.  Instinctively, Farren’s arms came around Lusidas’s neck.

“You know, I wouldn’t mind being married to you if that’s what they’re planning,” Lusidas hugged Farren. 

“You don’t mean that!” Farren looked at him funny.

“I do, because than I would be able to teach you how to play chess,” Lusidas smiled at him.  Farren looked at him.  Is he serious?  Farren thought about it for a minute, then realized how close the two were at the time and got that “ You only live once” feeling.

“Well then, teach me how to play chess,” he quickly stood up and swallowed what he knew what would have been a humiliating moment.  Lusidas, still on the floor, nudged at Farren’s ankle playfully with his foot.

“You’re jumpy.  You can turn a romantic moment into chess lessons in one second flat!”  He joked.  “Well, chess is a difficult game, so let’s start with something easier first, ok?”

“What?” Farren thought for a second, “Um, sure, I guess.” 

 

 

            “Farren!   Where the heck did he go?”  Rahad stormed the halls.  They had to go home, change, and get their parents before dinner, but Rahad couldn’t find Farren in his usual hideouts.  The annoying little brat is always hiding!  Every time we come, he vanishes into the shadows.  Rahad rubbed his arms and noticed a chill.  The stone floor nearly froze his feet.  Why the heck is it so cold?  Still shivering, Rahad stopped at a door where he thought he heard Farren’s voice, but the door was too thick to be sure.  Quickly, he grasped the icy knob and pushed the heavy door open.

            “King me!” Farren’s cheerful statement cut through the cold. 

“Farren!  Where have you been?” Rahad stormed in.

“He’s been with me, as planned,” the dark figure rose behind Farren

“What the?  Oh, you,” Rahad seemed less than pleased, “We have to go now, Farren.  There’s things to prepare before dinner.”

“But aren’t we having dinner here?” Farren looked at him funny.

“Yes, but we have some things to do first!” Rahad was getting annoyed.

“He can stay with me if that would help,” Lusidas offered.  He leaned on the table he was sitting at and glared a Rahad with snakelike eyes. 

“No, he has to come with me!” Rahad crossed his arms defiantly, trying to warm his hands, “Why is it so cold in here?”  Lusidas just grinned at the question and turned to Farren.

“Would you like to go back, or stay with me a little longer?”

Farren stared, aghast at the unusual question.  It was an argument between Rahad and Lusidas.  Was Lusidas asking him to speak on this? 

“Farren!  It’s time to go!” the sharp command made him jump.  Regretfully, he turned to Lusidas, bowed politely, and followed his brother back into the hot summer air.  He couldn’t disobey his older brother, especially when the wedding was coming up.

            Lusidas calmly sat down at his chessboard and replaced the checkers with the original pieces.  Quietly, like a whisper, a gray translucent figure appeared and sat across from him.  It was like a mirror image in blue and white.  This image wore silver robes with large tears down the sides.  The edges were completely frayed and dark.

            “My Lord,” Lusidas politely acknowledged the newcomer without raising his gaze.

            “What do you think of this place?  Do you mind the people?” the ghost began his inquiry.

            “They’re hot tempered and dramatic,” Lusidas began, “I’ve never been to such a burning hell before in my life.  They all seem to be set in their ways. Like trains on a rail, except they go too fast and cause damage to themselves.  These people will cause their own undoing.  None of them appear to be educated, or even think for themselves.”

            “Even the boy whom you played with?”

            “He couldn’t even think for himself.  I can foresee his own destruction as well, like an untrained animal,” he went on coldly.

            “That didn’t stop you from trying to get that boy thinking for himself.  It’s hard to break habits that are pounded into you since birth.  Try to be a little sympathetic,” the ghost coaxed him.  He gave his living companion a look of concern. 

            “It makes sense, I suppose, but should I bother with this at all?” Lusidas looked up at the ghost for the first time since it appeared.

            “Yes, I think you will benefit from this experience,” the gray figure rose from the low chair.

            “Thank you for your wisdom, Luris,” Lusidas stood and bowed his head as the shadowy figure vanished.  He felt a chill blow past his face, then through himself entirely.  It was the same comfort, or the only consolation that came from his late father's passing.  It came every time to remind him that he need not feel pain.  He was numb.

 

"Master Farren, Hold still!" an attendant struggled to keep the brat in the metal tub.  Hot water splashed everywhere.

"Ow!" Farren banged his knee on the side of the tub; "This stinks!"

"That's the lavender oils.  It's good for your skin," the frustrated servant explained.

"How's it going in there?" Rahad knocked on the wall beside the stained blue curtain.

"Help! Assault and battery!  Let me out!" Farren squealed.

"Sounds like everything's fine.  Masca, please have him dressed and ready before sundown," Rahad tossed off his last command before heading towards his own room.  The attendant rolled his eyes and shoved Farren back into the tub with a splash.

 

After a few fights and riots, Farren was ready to go.  His hair was neatly brushed, braided, and adorned with gold jeweled pins.  A pale yellow silk blouse was paired with a brocaded vest.  The belt matched, and he wore crimson harem pants.  Gold cuffs and bracelets clinked and jingled on his wrists and ankles.  A ruby studded collar adorned his neck.

"This crap is too heavy!  I can barely stand!" Farren spit nails. 

"Shut up," Rahad commanded, "You're gonna go see Mr. Tall, dark and creepy.  Can't you at least be grateful?"

"NO!  I don't want to go to your in-laws house anymore! I hate them!" Farren screamed.

A powerful whack could be heard throughout the entire house.

"I will not permit you to say such things ever again!" Rahad glared down at Farren.

Farren just sulked and touched his tender red cheek.  Rahad huffed and went out to his steed.  “Come on, or you’re not eating tonight!”

 

“Really, Villianne, he’s so cranky! Are you sure you want someone with such a temper?” Lusidas sat beside his beloved cousin while their hair was brushed. 

“You simply don’t understand him yet.  He may seem hard and ruthless, but he’s really just a baby!” Villianne grinned.  She seemed fairly confident about this upcoming marriage.  This worried Lusidas a little, but who was he to interfere? 

“I guess I don’t understand yet.  Please excuse me,” He bowed politely, then retreated out of the hot air and rumbling hustle.  He breezed past the busy servants and cheery guests without a second glance.  He could feel their glances though, and their stares.  In a burning country full of dramatic, outgoing people, stood a cold pillar of calm.  Even if he looked darker and dressed more brilliantly, he wouldn’t match.  Even his uncle could see the wall around him, though the man chose to ignore it.

“Villianne!  Your fiancé has arrived!”

Lusidas decided to check and see if his humorous little friend had returned.  Sure enough, at the top of the stairs stood a sulking, frustrated picture of gold.  Lusidas smirked, then was surprised to see a splash of red across the boys’ left cheek.  Apparently, things hadn’t gone well for him. 

“Well, you youngsters can go have fun until dinner!” Atonu announced, then went to find another plate of hors d’oeuvres.  Lusidas shook his head.  What a naive old man. 

“You heard the man,” Rahad shoved Farren out of the way and headed straight for his love, forgetting all else.  Farren spun around and flipped him the bird.  Then, he started to remove layers of flashy gold jewelry and hide them in a potted plant nearby.

“Aha, I’ve caught you in the act of removing and hiding expensive jewelry,” Lusidas announced, making his presence known to the bratty young man.

“Yeah so?  You try to wear three tons of gold!” Farren spat.  A fire was flickering behind those dark orbs in his eyes.  It had been a rough evening since he first got home and he was anything but willing to take anyone else’s attitude.

“Please, it’s only me,” Lusidas took a silent step forward, “Would you like to come with me again?”

“Yeah, I would.  Thanks,” Farren tried to calm down enough to at least enjoy his time with this strange, new man.  “Can we play checkers again?”

“If that’s what you want, then we shall,” Lusidas turned around to lead them back to his chambers.  Suddenly, he felt a strange warmth clasp his right hand.  He turned to see that Farren held Lusidas hand in his own.

“Is something wrong?” Farren gave him a weird look.

“No, nothing,” Lusidas’s cold face seemed only slightly changed.  He returned to his cold stature when they quietly walked down the hall, towards the cool guest chambers.  Farren looked around.  It really became much darker as they went through the heavy, solid doors and into Lusidas’s exclusive world.  Farren sat back in the seat, which he’d used yesterday and started poking around for the checkers.  He could feel those dark eyes on his back and wondered what made Lusidas so different.

“Sorry I had to leave so quickly,” Farren tried to be polite, and break the silence.  He’d hoped Lusidas would respond, but he just nodded silently.

“Rahad’s always that bossy.  You’re lucky you’re not related to him.  You’re going to be after the wedding, so enjoy your moments of freedom while you still can.  Are you planning on staying here?” Farren turned to look at Lusidas.  He had glanced away and might not have heard the attempt at conversation.

“Lusidas?  Hey!” Farren jumped up right in front of him.  Lusidas took a step back, then stared wide-eyed.

“You didn’t need to do that,” a tinge of humiliation cracked in the surprised man’s voice.

“Yes, I did!” Farren grinned wickedly, still at an annoyingly close range. 

“I hope you don’t mind my asking,” Lusidas let his eyes slip from the boys’ gaze to the red mark to the left of it, “But, did someone strike you?”

“What?  What kind of a question is that?” Farren didn’t even skip a beat.  The evasive answer had rolled off his tongue.  He noticed that Lusidas didn’t seem amused, then tried a different one.  “Hey, nobody goes around hitting people for no reason.  Can we play checkers now?”  Lusidas didn’t listen.  His cool hand followed his pain filled stare to Farren’s cheek. 

“I see that you do mind.  I apologize,” Lusidas slipped away and walked toward the table, as if nothing was wrong.  This was usually his way.  He felt that the matter didn’t need to be faced.  Farren, on the other hand, looked at things a little differently.

“No, it’s okay, really,” Farren suddenly really wanted Lusidas to know.  As if it would lift a little weight off his own shoulders.  He tugged at Lusidas’s sleeve to turn him around.  “I’ll tell you if you want to hear it.  It’s no big deal, but I’ll tell you anyway.  I mean, well, I was sort of mouthing off.  I exploded and couldn’t really help it.  I can’t stand coming here!  I don’t mean in here.  I just mean in this house, but I think I like it better, or something.  Anyway, I snapped off and Rahad just got really offended because it’s Villianne’s house and he got mad and…”

“He hit you,” Lusidas finished.  Farren stared at him for a minute.

“Well, it wasn’t really a hit, just a smack, or something like that.  I was really disrespectful and…”

“He hit you,” Lusidas repeated gravely.  He couldn’t understand these people at all.  They got so furious at each other that they were violent, both physically and verbally.  There was no sense of control, only domination.  Farren was no different from any other here.  He was hot headed and blinded by stubbornness.   However, something else showed in Farren’s behavior that he couldn’t quite catch.  Was something hiding?  That was highly improbable, because it didn’t seem that he hid anything other than gold jewelry.  It was also probable, because Farren seemed to be somewhat shut off and pushed away from that which was happening around him.  The world was raging around him, and there was nothing he could do about it.

“What are you doing?” Farren looked up and played with the other man’s hair.

“Just thinking,” Lusidas shrugged.

“If that’s what you keep doing, than you think way too much,” Farren poked him playfully.  “I think we need to find something to do that doesn’t require thinking!” he commanded and scanned the plain, dim room for something to do.  All that was there was the cold stone furniture and the chess table, nothing of real interest.  He might be able to at least jump on the bed…

Lusidas thought about what Farren said.  What is wrong with thinking?  Is it possible to think too much?  Realizing how hot he felt, he unlaced and removed the black layer of robes.  Shedding the silver lilies, an ocean-blue robe with shiny dragonflies shone through.  Once more comfortable, Lusidas turned to see the fiery boy bouncing on, and making a total mess of, his neatly made bed.

“What on earth are you doing?” Lusidas gawked at the awkward behavior.

“Not thinking, what does it look like?” Farren smiled and did a little made-up dance over the twisted sheets.

“It looks like you’re messing up my bed,” Lusidas looked at him sternly.

“Don’t like it?  Stop me then!” Farren started jumping again.  The other man wasn’t sure what to do in this type of situation and felt his skin burning.  Subconsciously, his fingers moved to remove the cerulean robe, but quickly stopped.  “ Aww, are you gonna take it all off?”  The boy’s taunting question brought red to Lusidas’s cheeks.  What on earth is on this boys mind?  “Come on, I will if you will.”

“What? Will what? Of course not?  What are you thinking?” Lusidas stared at Farren as if he had three heads.

“I’m not, that’s the point!” Farren looked exasperated, “ I want you to stop thinking for a while!  We can’t play your games, they require thinking.  We can’t have a conversation, because that takes thinking too!  I know the one game we could play that involves NO thinking whatsoever!” Farren cheerily announced and hopped off the bed, landing on his feet directly in front of Lusidas.

“I don’t know if I’ll like this game.  You’re not thinking of…” Lusidas stammered.

“Of course not!  I told you I wasn’t thinking!” Farren growled and got in the taller man’s face.  “I’m going entirely on instinct, my favorite guide.”  Farren’s eyes were dark and large.  It almost scared Lusidas, but logic told him that this boy was not a threat.  Wisdom told him that this behavior was normal for a boy his age, but not necessary.  His keen intelligence told him that this situation could easily be left alone, but all those voices were small whispers in comparison to the huge pounding in his chest.

Of course, none of that mattered, because once Farren had a goal in his head, consequences didn’t exist.  All that mattered to Farren is he wanted to show his new friend the time of his life, in ANY form he could come up with, and he liked the way this one felt best of all.

 

“Where have they been?” Villianne turned to her large father.

“Oh, they’re probably off somewhere.  We can start eating without them, if you prefer,” Atonu drooled over the beautiful plates of food waiting before them.  Rahad tried hard not to explode.  Is that brat trying to embarrass me again? He continuously clenched and unclenched his fists in frustration.

“I could send a servant to get them,” Villianne politely suggested, trying her best to act as if she cared about what her cousin was doing.  She knew he preferred to keep to himself.  Rahad’s little brother was always hiding and doing things like that, so it was no big deal, but she could see in her love’s eyes that he wasn’t amused in the least bit.

“I’ll go get them,” Rahad stood and turned down the hall to the cold corridor that connected Lusidas’s room to the rest of the world.  There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that both of them were in there.  Farren had been very reluctant to leave.  I don’t see why he likes it so much.  It’s cold and so is that guy he’s visiting.  A small pang of worry hit Rahad.  What would a strange man like that be doing with his little brother?  A shiver tiptoed down his back as he put his ear to the dark, heavy door, straining to hear the slightest sound.  It was silent, which was very strange for his annoying little brother.  Slowly, he slid the door open, inch by inch, until he saw a silhouette by three red candles on the other side of the room. 

“Oooooh,” the heavy breath broke the silence.  Rahad’s eyes focused enough to see Farren’s lithe back arched over a long slender figure, lying in a mess of silks and pillows. A cerulean robe and a cornsilk blouse were on the floor, for the two in question wore only their pants and the shadows.  Farren had his mouth attached to Lusidas’s neck like a parasite.  Lusidas simply lay there, his eyes closed and mouth partially open, a tinge of red coveriing his face.

PANG!  The door slammed into the wall, snapping the two entwined figures back into reality.

“Rahad!” Farren’s shocked voice squeaked.  Rahad said nothing, but in a wave of fury, ripped the two people apart and slammed Lusidas into the rock solid wall.  Farren fell onto the cold floor.

“YOU!  HOW DARE YOU TOUCH HIM!” Rahad spit into the dazed man’s face.  “You have the NERVE to defile my little brother!  You disgust me!”  With that, he yanked Lusidas and slammed him back, before he could regain his breath.  Something had snapped inside Rahad.  Now, he drew his fist across Lusidas’s face like lightning, but it wasn’t enough.  He rammed into his victim’s stomach until it fell onto his knees, coughing up blood. 

“He does NOT belong to you.  Never touch him again,” Rahad growled, then scooped up his younger brother, who came to a fit of tears.  Rahad dragged him into the hallway and  rested on the carpeted floor, leaned against a wall.

“You hurt him! Why?” Farren looked up at his guardian through watery eyes.

“I won’t let anyone do that to you.  No one has the right to take advantage of you.  Farren, I’m gonna take you home now, OK?” he explained, while checking his brother for bruises.  Farren jerked his arm away.

“I WANTED HIM!  I started it!  Why’d you punish him?” Farren asked pathetically.  His eyes glimmered with betrayal. 

“He’s not allowed to touch you…” Rahad started again.

“I TOUCHED HIM!  It’s MY fault.  It’s my fault,” Farren sobbed.  Rahad just pulled him up to his feet and took him to the door in silence.

 

End of part 1

 

Back