Mithraos looked out through the window of the palace. He was looking at the hills that shined. With his palace close to the border, he could see the palace proudly standing atop Mount Avanava, the palace of Mauryae's. The castle where the ruthless Malvan King lived.
Mithraos sighed as he looked around. He hated this palace. The place where his parents were killed, the place that reminds him of what he lost every second of the day, which is also the reason he roamed the forests and went on wars. He hated sitting still, lounging in the palace, accepting the comforts. He becomes restless all too soon.
Mithraos do not court danger like many believes. He simply want to be engaged in some activity. What better option than war, when it brings him so much power and protects his Kingdom too. It also made him feel invincible, capable.
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Eloy ran through the woods. It is a part of his exercise routine. His hair was tied up as always and he ran like a cheetah. He ran to the edge of the forest. He could see the palace of the Malvans from here clearly. He knew a war was in the making. He could feel the hostility from the borders, the tension among the people and his emperor. However, as he looked at the palace, he only felt a certain sense of calmness. It actually looked more regal from here than anything he has ever set his eyes on. Eloy turned. He needed a bath in the stream. The Oleya stream in the edge of the forest is the main reason he always ran this far.
The water had a soothing effect on him. He just relaxed in the water and slowly let himself be. He saw a deer in the woods and it was just looking at him teasingly. A freshened up Eloy was all ready for a chase. He got up, his wet hair sticking against him. He left his hair open only when he was alone like this. He did not want anyone to mistake it as a sign of fragility.
Eloy ran, without breaking a sweat, playfully behind the deer who was beckoning him and toying with him. He snorted as he ran past her making her frown in confusion. He ran in front of the deer and she caught on and chased him. Eloy's long beautiful hair flew in all directions. He looked ethereal in that moment, like he was from out of this world.
He turned and caught the deer in his arms and then the deer ran off as Eloy watched. As he neared the palace of Mithraos, he saw the King standing near the window looking out into the woods. He looked down as the emperor's eyes fell on him. They grew up together and even though he was a lowly servant, Mithraos had always been kind to him. However, when the man became King, Eloy lost all his foolish thoughts of friendship. He was nothing but a sacrificial lamp for the Kingdom. And he did not mind. He would die to protect his King and the Kingdom. Eloy looked down and walked off to his quarters.
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Mithraos watched as Eloy walked away. Eloy is the only person Mithraos trusted with his life.
He knew that he lost Eloy in those moments between stepping on his throne and actually claiming it. However, he also knew that Eloy would die for this empire.
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The minister walked in as Mithraos held court.
"The people are talking. Everyone can sense that we are on the brink of a war. The troops are being prepared in the Kingdom of Malvans. Our troops are also ready," said Guardioni, the Minister.
Mithraos nodded.
Eloy walked in.
"You asked for me, your highness," asked Eloy, head bowed. The court has gone all hush seeing the respected warrior walk in.
"Are we ready for the war?"
"Yes, the army is at your disposal, your highness," said Eloy, head bowed in respect and talking steadily.
Mithraos looked at the nobles.
"We are talking about the Malvan's, your highness. A peace talk, we think would be better even now," said Gefforoy, a noble.
Other nobles also had that unsure expression on.
"We are fully equipped for a war. But, your highness, never have Kingdoms fought and decidedly not with Malvans," said Kanderis, another noble.
"Well, that would happen now. It was them who gave the first signals of a war and we are just going to fight them and show them that no one gets away with threatening us. Not even Malvans," said Mithraos.
"Yes, your highness. I think we can show Malvans their place," said Armeyin, another of the nobles, and a war minded one at that.
Mithraos looked at Eloy.
"What do you think, Head Warrior?" asked Mithraos.
Eloy was surprised that Mithraos asked his opinion.
"If your highness want me to fight in a war, I will and if you want me to guard you during the peace treaty, I will do that too. However, I do have a suggestion," said Eloy.
All listened eagerly.
Mithraos gave permission with a subtle raise if his eyebrows.
"Your highness, since we are both Kingdoms, the loss of warriors will be high if we go on a full on war, should you settle on war. In that case, I would like to avoid too many orphaned houses. Would deliberating with the Malvan King for a controlled war with equal but limited number of soldiers and some other regulations," said Eloy.
Mithraos thought for a moment.
"You are right. We will also forego family men. Let me send the message to the Malvans," said Mithraos.
And thus, two nobles each from the empires sat down and made the rules of the war. It was a process that was not heard of ever before. The other Kingdoms were also keenly observing the happenings.
The war was not going to be pretty and it is a good thing that both kings thought of their people first and blood thirst later.
Eloy watched amused as Mithraos and Adharva rolled on the ground. The cover is that they are fighting and the winner comes out the best warrior. Eloy knows it is to entertain him because their little prince had been playing a war victory dance on his kidneys. He is also getting horny. These men were weird and Eloy knows it is a sort of foreplay. He is also weird because he likes it. Both joined him soon and wrapped their arms around him. Little Aeneas was crawling on the floor next to them and all three uncles watched. Aeneas's eyes were fixed on the little bundle Dhruv was holding against his chest, showing the baby off to Aeneas. Ekalavya and Samarth's son Daven, named after Samarth's father Davenor is now one month and ten days old. Daven was watching with wide eyes as his older brother crawled near him. Samarth sat there leaning on Rishi and Shikhar who were both smiling. Ekalavya himself was sitting next to Rishi, occasionally talking about some of the law and order issues. Ya
Eloy was overseeing the preparations in the kitchen. He loved spending time with the cooks and learning new things sometimes. He also spent time training with his husbands who never challenge him. He thinks it is amusing because the men think they will lose to him. He has more belief in them. He went over and checked the pie. The smell became too much and he rushed out with a need to vomit. He vomited in the garden and his husbands who were in a meeting with councilors in the outdoors saw him and ran over. They held him and Mithraos rubbed his back as Adharva ordered for water and healer. "I am fine, really. Stop fussing over me," he said gently even as he leaned back against Mithraos. Adharva wiped the sweat off his face and they took him to the nearest room. He let them lay him down and was exasperated as both sat next to him. Mithraos took the handheld fan from the maids and waved it himself. Adharva made him wash his mouth and drink some water. The healers arrived soon after tha
Rishi smiled as he helped Shikhar lean on him. Then, Shikhar moved his tunic and let their son latch on. Both men looked at each other in awe. " You are magnificent. I have no words to describe what you did today," said Rishi, his eyes still damp."Don't cry. Your highness, I can be magnificent only for a magnificent man. And you are magnificent, magical even."I can only hope that you never realise I am just a common- ordinary man," said Rishi. "You are foolish sometimes, but it is foolishness born out of love and I can only adore it. When not foolish, you are magnificent and even in your foolishness you are my knight in shining armor. My highness, we finally have this- everything," said Shikhar with a smile. "We do and I must thank you for everything. Every moment of happiness in my life, love, I owe it to you," said Rishi. "And I you," said Shikhar."I love you," said Rishi."I love you too, Rishi," said Shikhar."We must name him," said Shikhar after a silence that stretched o
Dhruv smiled as he chased the calves across the grazing land. It was early morning and he was in the cow pasture of the palace. He love the animals here. Yagni knew where to find him when he gets back from early trainings. Sure enough, his husband stood there with a smile. Dhruv felt himself blush. That rarely happens but Yagni can make him go all shy with a look. Yagni embraced him, not minding that the staff were watching. "All sweaty," said Dhruv, pressing a kiss to his cheek."I can always go bath," smirked Yagni."Don't you dare," said Dhruv and brought the man's arms around him as they stood and watched the cows graze. ----------Ekalavya stirred first. Samarth was asleep in his arms. He bent down and pressed a kiss to Samarth's forehead. He opened his eyes and Ekalavya watched as his beautiful face split into a grin. Samarth looked at his stomach which now houses the heir to Karivaayi throne. Their child. "I never thought I would have any of this till the day my father ask
When Eloy was finally awake, it was morning next day and the emperors sat by his side. Eloy gave them a small smile. "I am fine. See, there is nothing wrong," said Eloy. Both men just returned the smile and couldn't stop the tears. Eloy comforted them and asked the men to join him in the bed and they did so without question. "Does Thaveri still stand?" asked Eloy teasing them both."They should feel lucky that we are not burning them down yet," said Mithraos. "We can't do thinks like that. No matter how angry we are, diplomacy is key in such a matter or the enemies will unite," said Eloy gently. Adharva then told him about what was done to the attackers and the message sent to them. They decided to wait till Shikhar gives birth before moving an inch on the issue. They did not want to trigger anything. They planned to send Shikhar, the baby and Rishi to Karivaayis before making a move. ----------------Eloy smiled as he looked at his husbands. Both were asleep. He wiggled out of
Samarth stood gazing out onto nothing in his garden. Yes, his garden. That is what Ekalavya calls it. He misses his family. He has made a home here with his husband with the added bonus of a father and another brother. Life was really good. But he knew he will always miss his brothers and brother in laws when away. There is no stopping it. He felt two very familiar arms wrap around him and Samarth leaned back into the familiar warmth of his husband. "Are we missing home?" asked Ekalavya wrapping him in a protective hold. "This is my home- what we are making together. I miss the other part of my family and land, yes," said Samarth with a small smile. "We will be visiting soon," said Ekalavya."I know. I just - you know I have never stayed away from them for such a long period," said Samarth.Ekalavya looked at him and wiped his eyes. Samarth froze because he did not realise that he was crying. He felt like a child at that moment and he just hugged Ekalavya tight and the hug was ret