by WendyK
Not mine. Never will be. No money being made.
This story is not betaed. Any mistakes you find are all my fault. Feedback is much appreciated.
None.
This story is a sequel to: none
The Kingdom of Atlantis: An excerpt from the private journals of Socrates (422 B.C.)
Every year on mid-summer's eve an offering is made to the Goddess. A human offering. This in done in the hopes that She will be generous to the people of Atlantis in the year to come. On the following day, the Summer Solstice, a new sacrifice is chosen by the Oracle. The Goddess speaks through the Oracle and lets Her choice be known. This person is usually the individual who represents the best and brightest the kingdom has to offer. For the whole year leading up to the next solstice, the individual is nurtured, guarded and protected. For they are the Chosen and they represent the continued success and well being of the whole kingdom.
The one whose sole function it is to guard the Chosen is called the Blessed Protector. This is an individual who possesses enhanced senses and is in the peak of physical fitness. They train extensively with many weapons as well as in hand to hand combat before they are even considered as a candidate for this job. The life of the Chosen must be guarded at all costs against those who wish to end it too soon and bring down the wrath of the Goddess upon the people of Atlantis. In the past, the Phoenicians and the Nubians have both sent assassins to try and kill the Chosen. Atlantis is a mighty, sea-faring nation and they monopolize the trade routes throughout the known world. There are many that wish to see them fail.
The Blessed Protector's task is not an easy one. The dangers are many and it's hard not to become attached to the Chosen. By default, the Chosen is usually a very attractive, intelligent, outgoing and lovable person. The Blessed Protector must remain aloof and detached if he is to do his job successfully and then hand over his charge to their fate.
James, whose official title was Blessed Protector of the Chosen, stood in the antechamber of the Oracle of Atlantis. He waited, along with the rest of the members of the royal court, to hear whom the next Chosen would be. Today was the Summer Solstice and last night he had given over Lariel into the hands of the Goddess. It had been the most difficult thing he had ever had to do. The barriers he had constructed around his heart had been very close to crumbling. Lariel had been a beautiful girl of 17 summers and an absolute joy. She was smart, funny, vivacious and very kind. Just like all the other Chosen had been. James had begun to think of her as a little sister or niece and that was something he must never do. The Blessed Protector vowed that this time he would keep his emotions tightly in check. He would reinforce the walls around his heart and not let the Chosen in.
Lariel had gone to the Goddess with a light step and a song in her heart. She had felt honored to be Chosen and was glad to be a savior to her people. James had considered it a waste. He started somewhat guiltily when he remembered where he was standing. To have such blasphemous thoughts in The Lady's own house was to court disaster.
The large double doors leading into the Oracle's chamber were thrown open and the court was granted entrance. It was time. James led the procession into the vast, airy chamber and went to one knee on the marble floor before the Oracle.
"Rise, James and receive the word of the Goddess." Cassandra, The Oracle of Atlantis, was a woman of only 25 but wise beyond her years. She looked down at James from the dais. Outwardly, her demeanor was calm but her green eyes were troubled. Her red hair hung in ringlets to the middle of her back and the simple, gauzy white gown she wore accented her willowy figure perfectly. In her hand was a scroll. On that scroll was the name of the next Chosen.
James rose to his feet and took the scroll from her bejeweled hand. He looked at the name on the scrap of papyrus and gasped.
"Is this right?" He asked incredulously.
Cassandra fixed her clear, emerald gaze upon James' countenance. "Are you questioning the Goddess' Choice?" She asked coolly.
"N-no, of course not, but..." He stammered back.
The Oracle's expression softened and turned somewhat sad. "It is not for us to question what the Goddess has planned for us. It will be all right, James. Go ahead and announce the next Chosen. Trust in The Lady."
James swallowed hard and turned to face the assembled nobles, officials, priests, priestesses, acolytes, and members of the royal house. He took a deep breath and spoke.
"The Chosen is Blair, Prince of the House of Poseidon, son of Princess Naomi and nephew to King Nestor."
There was absolute silence for the space of five heartbeats and then chaos. Blair was the only child of the Princess Naomi. The Princess was a lovely and independent woman of 42 winters with hair the color of copper. She had never married and Blair had been born out of wedlock 25 years earlier. The Princess had refused to divulge the identity of Blair's father but that didn't stop him from being raised in the royal manner. Both she and her son were much loved by the people of Atlantis. The King also doted on his nephew as if he were one of his own sons. Blair was a delightful young man of impish good humor and blinding intelligence. He was thoughtful and generous as well as a truly kind and gentle soul.
Naomi, who was present for the Choosing, promptly fainted. The shouts of denial and outrage from those assembled were loud and numerous. James was completely stunned. Blair was beloved of the people, would they stand for him to be sacrificed to the Goddess' whims and desires? How could they not obey Her edict? The welfare of the Kingdom depended on it. Protecting this particular Chosen, was going to be a very difficult task indeed.
The Oracle let the tumult continue for several minutes and then raised her hands above her head. The sound of thunder rolled through the vaulted chamber and her eyes glowed with a divine light.
"Enough!! The Goddess has spoken, the Choice has been made. To go against the Goddess' will is to court your own doom."
Cassandra's voice, now the voice of the Goddess, reverberated throughout the chamber. The group before her trembled and grew still. The Goddess had spoken. Prince Blair was the new Chosen, whether they liked it or not.
Within an hour, James was at the University. Prince Blair, who loved books and knowledge, worked among the library scrolls and tutored those students who asked for help. The Blessed Protector could hear the rumors flying in his wake. When he had spoken with the Chancellor as to Blair's current whereabouts, the woman had looked stunned. She knew what day it was and she knew who James was. His black tunic and gold breastplate emblazoned with the snarling panther were completely unique and very striking. With a trembling voice and teary eyes, she had directed James to the library. Blair spent most afternoons there tutoring or getting involved in debates about religion, philosophy, music, poetry or whatever subject came up.
As James drew closer he could hear laughter and the sound of many voices engaged in a lively discussion.
One voice stood out from all the others. One moment, it was bright and sweet like lemon and honey. The next, it was low and smoky with a sensual quality that went straight to James' groin. And that laugh. The bubbly, giddy, joyful sound would lift the spirits of even the most dour of individuals. He knew without a doubt that it was the voice of the Chosen. For as long as he had held the position of Blessed Protector, James had always been very in tune with the Chosen. An almost psychic connection seemed to form from the moment the Chosen's name was read aloud. As the year progressed, the bond would grow stronger.
James entered the chamber unnoticed by the merry group and got his first good look at the Chosen. Blair was of average height and slender but by no means frail. His body was lean, muscular and graceful like a runner or a fencer. His blue tunic, open at the throat to reveal a glimpse of chest hair, matched his sparkling eyes. The young man appeared to be acting out the events of a misadventure for the others in the group. His hands were gesturing excitedly as he spoke. He bounced about in the circle created by his lounging friends as he described how he eluded the wrath of the palace cooks when he stole pastries as a child. A simple enough tale, but it was told with intelligence and humor by the lively young man. The audience was riveted.
It was Blair himself who first spotted James by the door. The Prince stopped in mid-sentence and dropped his hands to his side. The others in the group turned to see what had caused the look of surprise on Blair's face. When they realized it was the Blessed Protector standing in the doorway, there were small gasps and murmured sounds of dismay. Everyone in the little cluster of students got to their feet and waited solemnly for James to speak.
James advanced towards the group, the heels of his boots echoing sharply in the vaulted silence. The Blessed Protector kept his eyes fastened to those of the Prince. As James closed the distance between them, the rest of the students moved aside and created a pathway for the somber looking soldier. James came to a halt directly in front of the Prince and looked down into wide blue eyes framed by shoulder length, sable colored curls. The smaller man's up-tilted face was a sweet mixture of innocence, confusion and apprehension.
The Blessed Protector removed his helmet, tucked it under his arm and went to one knee. He spoke one word.
"Chosen."
Prince Blair sat on his balcony overlooking the sea. The sun was a tangerine colored ball low on the western horizon. He was completely stunned by the day's events and was attempting to process. He had been escorted back to the palace by his new guardian, the Blessed Protector, to find his mother in hysterics and his Uncle absolutely furious. Blair had stood there numbly while they assured him that it was all a terrible mistake and they would appeal to the Goddess to have the situation corrected immediately. But the Prince knew that it was futile to deny his fate. You simply do not haggle with a divine being. No amount of pleading or bargaining would alter his circumstances.
He wasn't afraid of dying, not really. He just didn't want to. Even if it was supposedly for a good cause. Blair loved life and all it had to offer. The young man dreamed of one day traveling to Greece or to Egypt and seeing all that there was to see of the world. He wanted to experience everything, explore everything. But it looked as if the dreams would never come to fruition. He was a Prince of the realm and would do his duty for the people and for the Goddess. It was an honor to do so.....really.
The young man chewed on his thumbnail as he gazed out at the sunset. His family wasn't taking this well at all. It would definitely be harder on those left behind than for him. He would be dead and would be beyond such mundane things. Blair wondered what being dead felt like and what came after. Would it hurt? Would he see the Goddess? Maybe then he could tell Her his thoughts about this whole sacrifice thing and convince Her that it was a bad idea. It would be worth dying if he could accomplish that.
Blair was jolted from his thoughts by the sound of servants lighting the lamps in the room behind him. He could smell the dinner that they had brought for him, too.
"My Prince."
Blair turned to look up into the serious face of his new and permanent shadow. The Blessed Protector, James, was a sternly handsome man of 37 years with chiseled, aristocratic features and cool blue eyes. He was tall and muscular with an unequivocal air of danger about him. He seemed nice enough, if a little on the cold side.
"My Prince, the servants have brought dinner. You should eat something."
Blair shook his head. "I'm not really very hungry."
James wouldn't be put off. "You've a had a shock today. You need to keep up your strength. Come and eat."
Blair gave an exasperated sigh and hauled himself out of his chair. He brushed by James and grabbed a roll off the tray sitting on the table. "Fine." He snapped "I guess we can't have the Chosen starving to death before he can be sacrificed, now can we?"
Silence.
Blair hung his head and whispered. "I'm sorry. That was unkind of me. It's not your fault. You're just doing your job." He picked at the roll in his hands and wouldn't meet James' eyes.
"It's all right, Sire." James' tone was neutral "Like I said, you've had a nasty shock today."
The younger man looked up and smiled slightly. "Please call me Blair. We should get to know one another since we are going to be living out of each others pockets."
James gave a mental groan. He didn't want to get to know this young man. That would mean attachment. That would mean friendship. That would mean tremendous emotional pain a year from now.
"Of course, Sire- I mean Blair."
Looking into Blair's smiling face, James knew that he was lost. He wouldn't be able to deny this sweet young man anything.
Goddess, grant me strength! He silently prayed.
The two men sat down at the table and enjoyed a meal of fruit, wine, cheese and roasted chicken seasoned with fresh herbs.
"Tell me how all this works, James. What happens now?"
The older man finished chewing and took a sip of wine.
"You are Chosen. The Goddess has picked you as the living embodiment of all that is good about Atlantis. One year from now, on Mid-Summer's Eve, She will call you to Her."
James has explained this to 14 other Chosen and he knew the words by heart.
"I am your Blessed Protector. It's my duty to keep you safe and ensure your well being until the Goddess is ready to call you home. You will never be alone. I will be by your side day and night and remain ever vigilant against those who would keep you from fulfilling your destiny."
Blair regarded him with a bemused expression. "That was a very nice speech. Now tell me what all that really means in plain language, please."
James knew that Blair was no fool and that the young Prince would not be swayed by pretty words and flowery speeches about destiny.
"Basically, I'm stuck to you like glue. I eat with you, I sleep with you. I will never be more than 10 feet from you at any time. Where you go, I go. I am your constant companion for the next year. Atlantis has many enemies, there may be assassination or kidnapping attempts in an effort to bring down the wrath of the Goddess upon us. Another problem will be the fact that you are much loved by the citizens of Atlantis. There will be many who won't be happy that you are Chosen even if it means disobeying the Goddess. Your daily routine will not be interrupted too much. You can still go to the University or tutor. You won't be a prisoner. There may be times when I'll tell you to do something and I'll expect you to do it. I won't make unnecessary or unreasonable demands but your life may depend upon your quick and total obedience in some circumstances. Also, you may be called upon to make a few public appearances at religious ceremonies but it won't be many."
Blair grinned impishly. "Sleep with me? What about courting? Never more than 10 feet from me? This is going to put a real cramp in my love life."
"Would you really want to get serious with someone knowing what's to come?"
That sobered the young man. "No, I guess not."
"I'll sleep here in your room with you but I'll have my own bed. The servants can bring one in. We'll just have to move some of the clutter."
"Clutter?!?" Blair yelped indignantly as he looked around his personal chambers. "What clutter?!?"
The large rectangular room was a perfect representation of the Prince's personality. The warm sandstone walls were hung with brightly colored fabrics and the floors were covered with soft, thick carpets from Persia. There were pillows strewn about for the comfort of guests. One wall of the room consisted of curtained archways that led out to a large balcony overlooking the sea. There were masks and statues from other far off lands resting on tables along with piles of scrolls. Against another wall was the Prince's bed. It was a large four-posted monstrosity piled high with soft pillows and blankets in bright colors.
"Sorry, no clutter. I'm just used to having more Spartan surroundings. I'll have the servants put the bed in that corner." James hadn't meant to hurt the smaller man's feelings.
"Damn right it's not clutter." Blair muttered.
The two men eventually settled in for the night. Even while James slept, his hearing was tuned to the Chosen as well as to any potential danger. It was a trait that he had learned, when he was younger, while working in Gaul as a mercenary.
Several hours later, James was woken by whimpers and other sounds of distress. They were coming from the large, curtain draped bed across the room. Blair was having a nightmare.
"nnnoooo.....stay away......."
He rose quietly and approached the thrashing figure, tangled in the silk sheets. James sat gently on the side of the bed and brushed his hand across Blair's sweaty brow.
"Ssshhhh, it's all right. Don't be afraid. I'll protect you." He crooned softly.
The Prince woke and blinked confusedly up at his Blessed Protector's face.
"James?"
"Hmmm?"
"Did I have a nightmare?" Blair's voice was small and uncertain as he rubbed at his eyes. He looked and sounded about 10 summers old.
"Yes, you did. Do you want to talk about it?"
"I don't remember it."
"Do you need anything? Do you think you'll be able to go back to sleep?"
"Yeah, I'm fine now. Thank you."
"Okay, let's get you back under these covers."
James tucked the sleepy Prince in and with a final caress of Blair's soft curls, returned to his own bed.
He lay awake in the darkness listening to the sounds of the ocean. He knew that Blair was also awake.
After a few moments, "James?"
"Yes?"
"I'm glad you're here."
"Me, too, Blair. Me too."
James, Blessed Protector of the Chosen, watched Prince Blair as the younger man played with his little cousin. Princess Riadne was the youngest daughter of King Nestor and she had been given a puppy for her 10th birthday. The very first person she showed the new dog to was Blair. Riadne adored her handsome cousin. He was always so patient with her. As the youngest member of a fairly large and very important family, Riadne often got lost in the shuffle of politics and court life. Blair always made time for her and really listened when she had a problem.
The puppy was now bounding awkwardly between Blair and Riadne as they played with the little dog. Delighted shrieks, giggles and yipping barks echoed through the palace gardens. The Blessed Protector chuckled as Blair and Riadne ran along the paths of the garden, around the fountains and across the lawns. All the while followed by a roly-poly ball of fur, nipping at their heels.
James had been guarding the Prince for almost three months now and the soldier felt that he had been handling it well. For the most part, he had been able to keep the emotional barriers in place. He had not allowed himself to get too close or too attached to the Chosen. It wasn't easy, though. Blair was a truly bright soul that seemed to draw people to him like flies to honey.
James knew that his behavior sometimes confused the younger man. They would be in the middle of enjoying themselves and then they would have what James referred to as a "moment".The events that had occurred earlier in the week were a prime example. They had gone to the chariot races. Blair's cousin, Crown Prince Sethus, was competing and Blair wanted to go. Blair had placed a small bet on the race and then watched avidly as his cousin easily beat the other racers by a full chariot length. The young man had jumped and cheered and hugged his Blessed Protector in jubilation. James had enjoyed the race, too, but had enjoyed watching Blair more. The way the smaller man had chewed on his lush, lower lip and had gripped James' arm as the chariots had careened around the final turn, had caused the Blessed Protector to feel a swell of affection and even some lust for his charge. As Blair had hugged him after the race, James had hugged back. He could feel the warmth of the smaller man's body against his own. When Blair had looked up into his face, eyes sparkling, lips parted, the urge to kiss the lovely young man had been nearly overwhelming. As Blair had leaned in, James had quickly sobered, grasped the smaller man's shoulders and pushed him gently away.
"We should go collect your winnings." James had brusquely said as he averted his eyes. The "moment" had passed.
The expression on the young Prince's face was one of bewilderment and hurt. "Yeah...sure. Riadne's birthday is coming. I'll use the money to get her something nice."
James was jolted from his memories by the sounds of splashing. The puppy had fallen into the fishpond and Blair had gone in after it. Both the puppy and the Prince were completely drenched. The handsome Prince stood ankle deep in muddy water holding an equally muddy and wriggling puppy. The grin on the young man's face was dazzling. With an exasperated shake of his head, James realized that he was fooling himself and felt the walls around his heart crumble. He was falling in love with the Chosen.
That evening, James and Blair sat on the balcony and watched the sunset. The younger man was somewhat subdued and he kept glancing sideways at his larger companion. He found his guardian to be a very much an enigma. Mostly, James would be very solicitous of Blair and he seemed to genuinely like the Prince. But Blair had always been a very intuitive person and he was sure there was more going on underneath that reserved exterior. There were times when James would get a certain look on his face. It was a look of affection and longing. Whenever James realized Blair had seen the look, it would vanish. The older man's face would go carefully blank and Blair would be left wondering what he had done wrong. Finally, he couldn't stand it any longer.
"James?"
"Hmmm?"
"Are you mad at me?"
"What? Of course not."
"Do you dislike me? Have I done something to offend you?"
"No, not at all. You're a very likable person. You haven't offended me." James knew where this line of questioning was going. He had been expecting it for some time now.
"It's just that y-you're an important person to me. I-I like you a lot...a whole lot. And your opinion means a great deal to me." The Prince was blushing as he fiddled with a loose thread on his tunic.
"Blair, everything is fine."
"Oh."
Silence for a few more minutes while James waited for the other sandal to drop.
"Then why do you always keep me at arm's length? We've been constant companions for three months now and you never talk about yourself. I thought we were friends. Friends share. You know everything about me, but you never open up about yourself. Why?"
James really didn't want to be having this conversation but he could see no way out of it. Blair was a very special person and he deserved the truth. He drew a deep breath and sighed.
"Because I am trying to maintain perspective."
Blair's looked confused. "I don't understand."
"No one does. I need to maintain a certain amount of distance, Blair. Guarding the Chosen is an awesome responsibility and I can't let my judgment be clouded by emotion."
"That's a lonely way to live, James."
"I was given warnings about what I was getting into when I accepted the position, Blair. At first I didn't heed them. I was nave and I thought I could handle it. The Oracle told me to guard my heart but I didn't listen and I paid the price."
The Chosen gazed with tear-filled eyes into the face of his Blessed Protector. "But isn't it better to find happiness, even if it doesn't last? Isn't it better than living behind an emotionless faade all alone?"
"Don't, Blair. Don't give me that speech about how it's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. I've heard it before." James rose from his chair and began to pace along the balcony.
"But James....."
"Blair, I have been the Blessed Protector of the Chosen for 14 years. You will be the 15th. Do you know what it's like to get close to someone, to love them, and then have to watch them die? Can you imagine what it's like having to do that 15 times?" James was shouting now, the intensity of his words causing the smaller man's eyes to go wide.
"no" Was the Prince's timid reply.
The Blessed Protector stood rigidly with his back to the Prince. His fingers gripped the marble railing of the balcony as he stared out at the ocean. The sleekly handsome man's breathing was harsh as he attempted to get his feelings under control.
But Blair wasn't finished with him, yet.
"James, do you love me?"
"By all that's holy, Blair, don't make me answer that." There was desperation in the older man's voice. James could hear the Prince approach, could feel the heat of him standing at his back, could smell the clean, sweet scent of him. There was a gentle touch on his arm.
"I love you, James. I have from the moment you woke me from my nightmare that first night. Do you remember? I think you love me, too. You wanted to kiss me the other day at the chariot races, didn't you? I don't have much time James and I don't want to waste it. Please....let me in."
The Prince pleaded with the larger man, his voice was full of love and hope. James remained rigid beside him and continued to stare out at the sea. Blair could feel the minute trembling in the muscular arm beneath his hand.
With a harsh cry, James threw off Blair's touch and backed away from the Prince. His face was full of fear and his voice full of anguish. There were tears in his eyes now, too.
"NO!! I can't, Blair. I'm sorry, but I just can't. I can't let you in. I can't let myself love you. Don't make me. This conversation never happened. We are going to go on as we have been. You are the Chosen and I am your Blessed Protector. This is my job and my duty. Nothing more.....nothing more."
What had started out as a shouted declaration, had ended as nothing more than a harsh whisper.
There was absolute silence as James turned to once again stare out at the ocean. Blair stood stunned, with his arms wrapped protectively around his middle, in a vain effort to ward of the chill that had settled in his heart.
"All right, James." Came Blair's voice, devoid of all life and color. "I won't speak of it again."
James' heart wrenched at the lack of emotion and dull tone. The young Prince turned and went inside. James could hear him getting ready for bed, could hear the sound of his lithe form as he slid between the silken sheets, could hear the quiet sobs of a broken heart. All the while, he stood at the balcony's edge and stared out at the sea. It was completely dark now and the stars shone down on his own tear stained face.
"I want to go and see the Oracle."
Blair's request surprised James. The Prince had avoided the Temple and the Oracle ever since he had been Chosen six months ago.
"Do you mind if I ask why?" James asked as he sipped his pomegranate juice.
Blair toyed with the pastry on his plate. "I have some questions about the Choosing process and about what will happen on Mid-Summer Night's Eve."
James didn't know how to respond. This was not a topic that they discussed. Blair tended to shy away from talk about his impending death. But then, they didn't talk about much of anything anymore. Not since the "conversation-that-never-happened" three months ago. Blair had declared his love for James and the older man had been unable to say it back. Ever since that night, the bouncy, exuberant Prince had become listless, subdued and uncommunicative. James knew that Blair was hurting and so was he. To have feelings for each other and be unable to act upon them or even acknowledge them was difficult and awkward. Then throw in the fact that you were forced to spend every single moment in each other's company made it absolute torture.
"All right, we can go after breakfast."
The weather was sunny and bright so they decided to walk to the Temple. They were greeted warmly by the acolytes and brought to the Oracle's audience chamber after only a few moments of waiting. There were some perks to being the Chosen.
"Your Highness, it's good to see you." Cassandra came down from her dais to hug the Prince. "It's been some time since you've been to visit. One would think you were avoiding me." She teased gently.
"Cassandra, we have known each other since we were children. When will you skip the formality and call me Blair? I know it's been awhile but given the circumstances, I don't really feel comfortable here."
The Oracle's face grew solemn. "It's not always easy to do the Goddess' bidding. Believe me, I know. We can only trust that She has a greater plan and that it will benefit all. Now tell me. What brings you to see me today?"
"I have some questions for you about the Choosing process and about....about what will happen six months from now."
Cassandra led the two men into a richly appointed alcove and indicated that they should sit.
"I will answer what I can for you." Was the Oracle's reply as she seated herself on the soft cushions.
Blair settled himself across from her while James remained standing.
"Well, I've done some research at the University," the Prince began "but I have been unable to come up with any information on how this tradition got started. What can you tell me?"
Cassandra straightened a little and her eyes grew distant. "Long and long and long ago, the Goddess decreed that the people of Atlantis must pay her homage. She spoke through the Oracle and told the people that they would have great wealth and abundance so long as they gave Her a portion of the very best that they had to offer. At first, it was the best fruits, grains and livestock and the Goddess was satisfied."
Blair was listening intently. "When did She start asking for people as tribute?"
"No one really knows for sure. Even the records here at the temple don't indicate that. I know it's a really long time because there are lists showing the names of all the Chosen that go back for millennia."
"Didn't anyone question the sudden change? Maybe it was just a test. I mean, the Goddess has always been a kind and generous benefactor. Why would she demand such a harsh sacrifice from those she has sworn to protect? Why would She take those that can best help the kingdom to better itself? It just doesn't make sense."
"Again, there are no records of that either." Cassandra sighed with regret. "However, there is a story about one of the Chosen who attempted to run away. About 600 years ago, a Chosen named Raphael got cold feet at the last minute and tried to leave Atlantis a few days before Mid-Summer's Eve."
"What happened?" James asked from his position by the door. Against his will, he found himself caught up in the tale.
The Oracle stared at him gravely. "The Blessed Protector tracked him and returned him to the temple in time. But only just barely. The volcano, Mt. Petrus, had begun to act up. There was smoke and ash as well as a few small earthquakes. Once Raphael had gone to the Goddess, the volcano quieted right down. I don't know if the Goddess had any hand in it, but in my line of work, there is no such thing as coincidence."
The young Prince hesitated before timidly asking the next question. "H-how does it happen? H-how do I.....die?"
Cassandra noticed the flash of pain that crossed James' face. Blair had his eyes on his lap and didn't see.
"It's different for each of the Chosen and your death has yet to be determined. As the time draws closer, the Goddess will let me know. Last year, Lariel was bled. The year before that, Marcus was given poison."
Once again, James flinched. Hearing the names of former Chosen was like opening an old wound for him. Cassandra noticed this, also, and waved her hand in front of Blair in a complex gesture. The Chosen sat there, eyes unfocused, and did not move.
Cassandra looked searchingly into the Blessed Protector's startled face. It was not often he saw the Oracle perform her magic.
"James, what is wrong? I sense great turmoil in your heart. Please, talk to me." Cassandra's voice was gentle and full of compassion.
"What about Blair?"
The Oracle smiled. "For him, time has stopped. He can't see us or hear us. He won't remember this or notice anything unusual."
"Cassandra, I don't know if I can do this. I find that I have developed feelings for Blair. Feelings that he returns. He is upset because I am trying to keep my distance, trying to keep my perspective."
Cassandra remained silent and waited for James to continue, her face showing nothing but sympathy.
"But it's so hard," he whispered raggedly. "I love him so much. He's so beautiful. The idea of having to watch him die is killing me. I want to be with him but how can I, knowing what's to come? I know that he is hurting and scared. He says he doesn't want to waste the time we have. He looks to me for comfort and affection. What do I do, Oracle? Help me."
Cassandra took James in her arms and held him gently. "Shhh, be at peace, James. All will be well but you must remain strong. I know this is hard for you and Blair is such a sweet and gentle soul. How could anyone not love him? He's irresistible. The Goddess has faith in you and she is pleased with your dedication to your duty. After Blair has gone to the Goddess, we can discuss the nomination of another Blessed Protector."
James clung to the Oracle but remained silent. By then it will be too late. He lamented to himself.
The walk home from the temple was a quiet one. They had been there for several hours and it was close to noon. Blair's stomach started growling.
"James, I'm getting hungry. Let's go to the marketplace and get something. I have a craving for falafel."
James debated silently before replying. "All right, I'm getting hungry too."
The two men moved leisurely along the busy streets. The Prince had many friends and admirers so there were numerous friendly calls of greeting as they walked along. They were halfway to the market when Blair stopped to talk to a young man that he had been tutoring. James was scanning the crowd moving around them, looking for any danger to the Chosen, when he heard Blair laugh. The Blessed Protector turned to look at the Prince and was caught by the younger man's beauty. The sun was radiating down on Blair causing his hair to shine like a halo. James could pick out strands of gold and auburn amongst the brown where the light hit it just right. He got lost in the glossy tresses.......and zoned.
It was the sound of Blair's scream that jolted him from the gray netherworld he had been drifting in. When James came to himself, he saw the Prince on the ground. There was a heavily robed man, clutching a knife, standing over him. The Blessed Protector sprang into action. He knocked the man away, disarmed him and had him unconscious on the ground in a matter of seconds. A bystander hurried forward to bind the assassin's hands while James moved to where Blair lay.
The Chosen was huddled on the ground but appeared to be unharmed.
"Blair?.....Are you all right? It's okay, he can't hurt you anymore." James gently touched the smaller man's shoulder.
The Prince hurled himself into his Blessed Protector's waiting arms. The smaller man attempted to burrow into James' broad chest and under the larger man's chin. Blair was trembling and James could hear the sobs the younger man was trying to muffle.
James just held the smaller man tightly and rocked him. The Blessed Protector's thoughts were in turmoil. He had zoned. He had zoned on Blair's hair and the younger man had almost paid the price. He hadn't zoned in years. His love for this infectious sprite had distracted him at a crucial moment. He had to get a grip on his feelings. This could never happen again.
At that moment, Blair lifted his head and stared up with wide, vulnerable blue eyes at his savior. His lush lower lip was trembling and his breath was hitching. He looked absolutely adorable. This time when he leaned in to kiss James, the older man could not resist and he returned the kiss passionately. James' silent vow to remain aloof, made mere seconds ago, went right out the window.
Later that afternoon at the palace, Blair was ecstatic. His earlier distress at the attack was eclipsed by his jubilation of James' open acknowledgment and reciprocation of his affection. The Prince practically bounced as he headed for the baths with his guardian in tow. He wanted to try to unwind and have a long, hot soak. His knee had been wrenched when his attacker had thrown him to the ground.
They had the baths to themselves and Blair quickly slipped out of his tunic and into the steamy water. He closed his eyes and sighed contentedly as he sank in up to his chin while his Blessed Protector stood guard at the edge of the large pool.
James watched as Blair drifted around in the pool filled with warm, scented water. The younger man's long curls fluttered gently around his face like seaweed in a current. A sleek, wet, naked Blair was even more attractive than a dry one.
"The kiss.......it changes nothing." James blurted out.
Blair stopped drifting and swam to the edge of the pool. He rested his arms on the edge and looked up at his Guardian. His expression was serious.
"It changes everything, James."
"How? I admit that I have feelings for you. I owe you that. I do love you. But you're still the Chosen and I am still your Blessed Protector. You're still going to ......die."
"I love you, too, James. This just means that we can spend what little time we do have together. To waste that time being frustrated and pining for each other is just plain stupid. I want to give you some good memories to carry with you when I'm gone."
James knelt down in front of Blair and ran his fingers gently along the smaller man's cheek.
"I don't want memories, Blair. I want you. "
The younger man leaned into the caress. "I know. It's not fair, is it?"
"No, it isn't."
The two men were silent for a time and just enjoyed each other's presence.
After awhile, Blair got out of the pool and dried himself off. He was about to pull on his clothes when he stopped and turned to face his companion.
"James, make love to me."
James stood like a deer caught in a crossbow site. His eyes widened as the vision of naked loveliness advanced on him. Blair's body was absolute perfection. A lithe, trim figure with narrow hips, broad shoulders and a lightly defined chest sprinkled with chest hair. Blair's cock was slightly above average in length and already hard. James caught the glint of a small silver ring threaded through the Prince's left nipple. The smaller man drew closer and James could smell the pheromones Blair was leaking.
James continued to stand rigidly as the naked man stopped directly in front of him, placed his hands on James' shoulders, and reached up on tiptoe to kiss him.
As their mouths met, James let out a soft moan and wrapped his solid arms around the lithe figure of his love. He pressed himself tightly against the Prince, cupped the naked man's buttocks and ravished his lush, wet mouth.
It felt so good to finally express what he had been feeling for the past 6 months. To finally give in to the lust and the love. It was too bad that it couldn't last.
James picked up the smaller man and carried him over to a marble bench strewn with soft cushions. All the while, their mouths never parted. Blair put his arms around James' neck and rubbed up against his still clothed guardian.
When they finally broke apart to breathe, James began removing his breastplate and undoing the laces of his tunic. Blair watched avidly with the heavy lidded eyes of a predator.
They were both startled out of their sexual haze by a soft gasp and a giggle from the doorway. A servant, arms full of fresh towels, blushed and backed out of the room. The grin on her face was brighter than the noonday sun. Blair knew that word of this would be all over the palace in a matter of minutes.
It wasn't that the two of them were men. That wasn't a problem. Same sex relationships were very common in Atlantis. Blair's cousin Sethus, the Crown Prince, had a male lover as well as a wife. A Crown Prince needs heirs to carry on after him but should still be able to follow his heart.
It was just that the palace was a thriving environment for gossip and there had been much speculation on how close James and Blair's relationship was. Now there was a confirmed sighting and someone was going to win the pool.
James pushed away from Blair and hung his head.
"James? What's wrong? It's not a big deal that she saw us. We can just go back to our room and take up where we left off."
The larger man just shook his head and began to dress. "It is a big deal, Blair. I didn't even hear her. I'm supposed to be your Blessed Protector. A Sentinel against danger. I was so wrapped up in you and what we were doing, that I didn't hear her coming. What if she had been another assassin? This is the second time today that I've let my guard down, that I let myself be distracted. I can't let it happen again. I love you, Blair, but I need to stay focused. You mean so much to me. Keeping you safe has to be my priority. I don't want you to ....die......before your time. I want to make sure the time we have lasts as long as possible."
The Prince sat stunned, looking vulnerable and forlorn. He just couldn't catch a break. Here was this gorgeous hunk of a man in peak physical prime, whom he loved and who loved him back. But the big lug couldn't, or rather wouldn't, consummate that love.
Blair had to admit, albeit reluctantly, that his Blessed Protector had a point. He understood James' dilemma and let the subject drop for the moment. The young man knew that he would get no further tonight. He got up and began pulling on his own clothes.
"I'm letting this go for the time being, James." Blair said solemnly to his companion "But you and I will make love soon. You can count on it."
James sat on the balcony of Blair's quarters and gazed up at stars that glittered like diamonds. The hole in his heart felt just as vast as the dark and velvety night sky above him. His thoughts were centered on the man asleep in the room behind him. He had been Blair's Blessed Protector for nine months now. In three months, just ninety days, the younger man would be sacrificed to the Goddess and the light of James' life would be gone.
Three months ago they had finally acknowledged the love between them but they had yet to act upon it. James had been unable to bring himself to make love to the vibrant and beautiful Prince. He could not let himself give in to the love or the lust. Blair's safety depended upon him being focused. As a result, the unresolved sexual tension crackled and snapped between the two men like a living thing. James knew that Blair was feeling lost and scared and was looking to him for comfort. Comfort that he could not bring himself to give. The young Prince didn't want to waste the time they had while James seemed unable to allow himself to be happy, if only for a little while. The pain of loss that would come after was too much for James to bear.
*Dear Goddess, why? Why Blair? * He pleaded silently to the stars. * Why do you take the best of us? It's not in the best interest of the kingdom to take away the very ones who can do the most good. Why do we need to sacrifice anyone at all? It causes nothing but pain for those of us left behind. I can't imagine that you are so selfish as to want to keep them for yourself. It doesn't seem right. I love Blair and it's killing me to have to lose him. Please, don't do this. *
The stars above continued to twinkle away with diamond-hard indifference. James wasn't really expecting a response but a minuscule part of him couldn't help but hope for some sort of sign that his plea had been heard. He sighed deeply and hung his head. He was so tired. Tired of having to be constantly on the alert for danger. Tired of living with the fact that the person he loved more than any other was going to die soon. Tired of having to deny himself and Blair an outlet for all the intense emotions they were feeling. Just plain tired....
James retreated inside and got ready for bed. Across the room, there was a small whimper. Blair was having another nightmare. The young man was having more and more of them as the Summer Solstice drew closer.
Blair whimpered again but James hesitated to approach and offer comfort. To be so near to the younger man was almost more than he could bear. It took all of his impressive self control not to throw the lovely young Prince down on the nearest surface and fuck him silly.
Blair's whimpers were now accompanied by small cries and the twitching of limbs. The Prince's head tossed on his pillow in denial of the nightmare he was experiencing.
"nnnooo.......James......help"
Blessed Protector instincts finally overrode any misgivings and James moved to gather the sleeping Prince into his arms.
"Sshhhh, Beloved.....it's all right." He crooned softly.
Blair's eyes popped open and the terror and disorientation gave way to relief and love when he saw James' face. The smaller man slipped his arms around his guardian's neck and clung for dear life.
James could hear Blair's heart pounding out a staccato rhythm against his chest. The Prince's lush lower lip trembled and tears formed in his ocean deep eyes.
"It's always the same......the dream never changes. I run and run but I can't find you. The beast chasing me keeps gaining and I can't escape it."
Both of the men knew that the beast Blair couldn't escape was the upcoming Mid-Summer's Eve when the younger man would be sacrificed to a deity's whim.
One fat tear rolled slowly down Blair's soft cheek and James rubbed it away gently with his thumb.
"It's just a dream , Baby. It can't hurt you."
Blair smelled of apricots, ginger and other exotic spices. James found the scent to be utterly intoxicating. Mixed with the pheromones that the smaller man was exuding, it went straight to James' groin. He looked into the Blair's upturned face and saw all the longing and love reflected back at him from those bottomless eyes. It was too much. After almost nine months of denial and restrained sexual tension, the older man gave in with a moan. He leaned in to kiss those incredible lips. The soft pads opened to his tongue's gentle probing and soon Blair was kissing James back with abandon. Arms wrapped around each other, they kissed passionately. Everything they were feeling was in that kiss.
The two men didn't last long after remaining celibate for such a lengthy duration. A few caresses and the thrusting together of groins were all it took for them both to find completion. They settled down, arms and legs entwined, into the soft bed with its silken sheets and plump pillows. The pair remained silent as they floated in a post-orgasmic haze and tried to regain their breath.
After a few minutes, James kissed the mop of curls tucked under his chin and spoke.
"I love you, Blair, and I will never deny that love again. I'm sorry for the time we've wasted."
The smaller man moved back slightly so that he could look into his lover's eyes. His own were filled with sympathy and understanding as well as love.
"It's all right, Beloved. I understand why you felt that you couldn't. This is as difficult for you as it is for me. I love you, too. So much. Let's just make sure not to waste any more of the time we do have left. I want to spend the next three months loving you and being loved by you."
James clutched the younger man tightly and kissed him soundly. .
"Yes." He agreed fervently. "No more wasted time."
One week. There was just one week left before......before Blair......went away. James couldn't even bring himself to say it. The overwhelming feeling of panic had been building for days and the man knew he was close to snapping.
James looked over at where his lover sat talking and joking with his visitors. Over the course of the last month, friends, students and family members had been dropping by to visit. Even though it remained unsaid, it was understood that they were saying goodbye. They were taking that last fleeting opportunity to spend time in the much loved Prince's company.
Outwardly, Blair appeared calm. He felt it was his duty as Prince and Chosen to show the people he was fine with what the Goddess had required of him. That he was proud and pleased to do this for the welfare of the Kingdom. But James knew differently. When they were alone together, all of Blair's fear and uncertainty were readily present.
Today was an exceptionally tense day. This afternoon they were to have an audience with the Oracle of Atlantis. At which time, she would reveal the Goddess' wishes in regards to how Blair would die. James looked up at the sun and realized they would have to leave soon if they were to be on time.
Blair and his visitors parted reluctantly. When they had gone, James approached and tenderly wrapped his muscular arms around the smaller, slighter frame of his beloved.
The Prince leaned into the embrace and let the larger man support him. He sighed deeply.
"We have to go soon, don't we?" he asked timidly.
"Yes." Was his Blessed Protector's equally subdued reply.
"Who will be there when Cassandra makes the announcement?"
"The same people who will be there at the end. The King and any members of his court he wishes, all the priests and priestesses from the temple, the leaders of all the guilds, the family of the Chosen if they want."
"My mother is refusing to go. She's having a hard time with this. My uncle, the king, has to go because it's his duty. He will also represent my family."
James was silent. This was a subject on which they disagreed. Princess Naomi still harbored a nave and misguided belief that this was all some horrible mistake and that Blair would be saved at the last minute. James was much more of a realist. He felt that while Naomi may be upset, she should be doing a better job of comforting her son. She may not want to be there but Blair wanted and needed her presence, even though he didn't say so out loud. The young man would never say anything to his mother because that's just the kind of person he was. He always put others before himself.
When they arrived at the temple half a candle-mark later, James experienced a strange sense of deja vu. The group waiting in the antechamber of the Oracle was virtually identical to the one that waited there a year ago. Only now, for James, there was so much more at stake.
The group didn't have to wait long. Within a matter of minutes, The doors opened and they were allowed into The Oracle's chamber. The Chosen went first, accompanied by his Blessed Protector. James could hear Blair's heart pounding and smell the younger man's fear as they approached the dais.
Cassandra was dressed as she had been a year ago, in a simple gown of gauzy white material that was the standard wardrobe of the Oracle to the Goddess of Atlantis. Her countenance was anything but serene. Whatever the Goddess had commanded, it troubled the young woman greatly.
Blair reached the dais and went down on one knee before the Oracle. James remained standing directly behind him.
"We are gathered here to hear the word of the Goddess." Cassandra's voice was rang out clearly in the large marble chamber.
"One week from this day, the Chosen will be given into the hands of the Goddess. On Mid-Summer's Eve, the Chosen will be taken to the fountain in the Temple gardens where he will be drowned."
It was odd, though. He had been calm, actually numb was a better description, right after the announcement regarding the method of his death, even though everyone around him was in turmoil. His Uncle, the king, had hugged him tightly for long minutes without saying a word and then had left in a rush, taking most of the officials with him in his wake.
It wasn't until the Prince had gone out to the temple gardens, with Cassandra and James, to see the fountain that the overwhelming panic had hit. Blair now sat on a marble bench across from the fountain. James' strong arms were wrapped tightly around him while Cassandra was gently petting his hair.
The young man's breathing slowly returned to normal as he was rocked gently in his Blessed Protector's arms, the big man crooning soft, nonsense words of comfort in his ear. Blair pulled away from James' broad chest reluctantly and brushed his hair back from his face. After a few more slow, deep breaths, he felt ready to continue.
"I'm all right. I'm okay." The Prince smiled tremulously at his two companions. "Thank you.....I - I'm sorry I lost it like that."
Cassandra's expression was both somber and sympathetic with an underlying sense of foreboding. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Blair. This is not an easy thing for any of us."
The Chosen looked deep into Cassandra's eyes and saw something there that frightened him badly. He then turned to look at the place where his life would end one week from today and shuddered. The fountain was constructed of marble and was actually quite beautiful. It consisted of a large pool several feet deep and roughly 30 feet in diameter. At the center of this pool was a statue. The statue was tall, with a base that was shaped to look like coral rising out of the sea. There were all sorts of ocean dwelling creatures carved on the surface, dolphins, crabs, fish, sea-horses and many more. At the pinnacle of this monument, was the figure of woman representing the Goddess. The woman stood regally with her head held high and a serene expression on her carved features. She was caught as if in motion, striding forward into the wind. In one hand she held a trident made of silver and the other was raised palm upward to the sky. It was from that palm that the water cascaded into the pool below.
When Blair turned back to the Oracle, her expression was still somber and there was still a shadow of something in her eyes.
"There's more going on here than just the usual Mid-Summer's Eve ceremony, isn't there? The Goddess said something else to you, didn't She, Cassandra?"
The Oracle's expression grew wistful. "Yes, Blair, there is more. The Goddess has shown me the future. I can't say what it is, She has bid me to keep silent in that regard."
Blair nodded his understanding and took James' hand in his own. The three of them sat quietly, studying the fountain, each lost in their own thoughts. The only sound that of the birds singing and water splashing.
The week that followed was a blur to both James and Blair. All they knew was that it passed too quickly. Every night they made love with frantic desperation in the big bed in the room that overlooked the sea. Blair cried a lot and when no-one was looking, so did James. They soaked each other up like parched earth seeking rain after a drought. Time was running short and each moment was precious.
The morning of Mid-Summer's Eve dawned clear and sunny. It was going to be beautiful day. * It should be rainy and miserable to better reflect my mood. * Thought James as he lay in bed with Blair wrapped protectively in his arms. This would be the last time they would wake up together. After today, James would be alone. But not for long. The soldier realized his life without Blair would be bleak and lonely. After very little deliberation, he decided to fall on his sword as soon as the funeral for his beloved was over.
The fey creature in his arms stirred, stretched, yawned and opened his eyes. The liquid sapphire gaze directed up into James' face was full of love and sorrow equally.
"Good morning." Blair whispered softly, lower lip trembling ever so slightly.
James was captivated by the movement of the incredible lips. He had never seen a mouth like the one on Blair. Sonnets and songs should be written in praise of that mouth. The larger man felt his cock thicken and grow stiff in remembrance of coming in that mouth last night, with those lush lips wrapped wetly around his erection. He leaned in to kiss Blair, covering that succulent mouth hungrily with his own.
The younger man reacted instantly by kissing back just as avidly and clinging to his muscular lover like an affectionate leech. Blair thrust his groin up into James' in a desperate attempt to meld their bodies together. James thrust back with just as much fervor as he slid his hands down to cup Blair's buttocks and pull the smaller man closer. Their mouths remained locked in a duel of desperation, trying to suck in the very essence of each other. James was the first to pull away. He took in a huge draught of air and moved down to suckle gently on a cinnamon colored nipple peaking out from the soft chest hair of his lover. Blair's hands were instantly in his hair, telling James with gentle pressure and soft mewling sounds how good it felt. James moved to the other nipple and tugged on the small silver ring threaded through it. Blair bucked and moaned beneath James' larger, more muscular body which held the slighter man in place. This would be James last chance to make love with his mate and he wanted categorize every movement, every moan, taste and smell to his memory. He gripped Blair's hips more firmly and continued his nibbling of the pert buds. When they were fully erect and throbbing, he moved down Blair's belly, leaving a wet, meandering trail of hickeys in his wake. The Blessed Protector's tongue dipped into the smaller man's navel and swirled around. Blair's hands were now pushing gently on James' shoulders in an effort to get the bigger man to move lower toward his throbbing erection. But James would not be rushed and bit gently into Blair's abdomen just above where his pubic hair began.
The Prince was babbling now as his head tossed from side to side and his fingers clutched at the sheets. "James, James......love you....please.......love you....James......love you.....please."
The larger man took pity on his lover and moved down to lap at the base of Blair's cock with firm strokes of his tongue. The Prince's mantra changed to "yes, yes, yes, yes....." He thrust up gently with each syllable he uttered.
James moved one hand to gently fondle Blair's balls in their crepe-like sacs and used the other to guide his lover's erection into his mouth. Blair went completely rigid for a moment and then began to wriggle and howl frenetically. The hot, wet suction was too much. With a final cry of his lover's name, Blair came.
The taste of Blair's orgasm exploded over James' tongue and he moaned around the cock filling his mouth. He drank until there was no more and then let the softening erection slip from his lips. While his smaller lover was still lost in a post orgasmic haze, James flipped Blair over onto his stomach and reached for the flask of oil they kept on a small table beside the bed.
James positioned himself between Blair's spread thighs and drizzled a little of the scented oil along the cleft between the creamy buttocks before him. Still enveloped in the afterglow, Blair barely even twitched.
With sure fingers, James rubbed at Blair's most private place. He dipped first one finger into the opening, then two and finally three, preparing the way for his aching erection. Blair became aware of what was happening and began to hump lazily back onto James' hand and forward into the silken sheets, his cock hardening again at the stimulation.
James pressed his cock to the guardian ring, grasped Blair's hips firmly and slipped inside with a sob. It felt so tight, so hot. Blair's body would always be "home" to him. He pulled the smaller man upright so that Blair rested in his lap. James wrapped one arm around the smaller man's waist and the other around Blair's renewed erection. He nuzzled aside those luxurious, sable curls and sucked wetly at the side of Blair's throat. The younger man moaned and flung one arm up to cling to the back of James' neck and the other went to clutch James' thigh. They began to move together in a rhythm as old as time and it wasn't long before they were both coming, with each other's names on their lips.
They collapsed in an untidy heap, breathing heavily. Blair opened his eyes and gazed dreamily at his lover.
"I love you, James. I will love you through all of my lives. I need you to do something for me."
James reached out and stroked his beloved's face gently. "You know you don't even have to ask, Baby. Just name it and it will be done."
Blair licked his kiss swollen lips and said cautiously. "I know that you are planning to kill yourself after I'm gone. Don't."
James stiffened and opened his mouth to protest but Blair put a finger to the other man's mouth before James could utter a sound. "Shhhh.....don't try to deny it. For the past few days you have been frantic. Then, all of a sudden, you seemed to find some sort of inner peace. I could tell that you had reached a decision. I beg you, please, do not do this thing. I couldn't bear it if your life were to end too soon as well. Live life for the both of us, travel and experience all the things I won't be able to."
James just shook his head in denial. "Blair, life without you would be absolute torture. Please, don't ask me to do this."
"Please, James, swear it. I beg you. Don't kill yourself."
"Damn it, Blair, don't ask this of me. By making me live without you, you are condemning me to a life in hell!! I won't swear, I can't!!" James was practically shouting now and they were both in tears.
"James, please!! It's bad enough that my life is being wasted in this way. Don't let yours be wasted, too. It will ease my mind and make this easier for me if I know you will live a long and happy life. I will wait for you, I swear it."
James gripped his lover tightly and looked deep into Blair's eyes. The younger man would badger him about this until he gave in. He knew it. Finally he said in a resigned tone. "It may be a long life, Blair, but it won't be a happy one."
Blair smiled and hugged his lover tightly. "Thank you, James." He whispered.
James hugged him back but said nothing. He had not actually promised Blair anything. The smaller man had assumed from James' tone that he would be obeyed. James still had every intention of following his lover and mate into death. He felt bad about deceiving Blair in this fashion but wanted to put the younger man at ease. Today would be hard enough as it was.
The day passed quickly. Too quickly. Blair spent the morning with his mother, uncle, aunt and cousins. At noon, he and James were escorted under heavy guard to the Temple to begin the preparations for the coming ceremonies. The next time Blair saw his family, it would be during the ritual.
The streets were lined with people and the going was slow. Emotions among the throng ran the gamut from anger to sorrow to joy and back again. Many threw flowers and called encouragement to the Prince that they loved and would miss. By the time they reached the temple, Blair was trembling and on the verge of tears.
They were greeted at the temple gates by a group of acolytes and priestesses. The two men were escorted into a small but luxurious suite of rooms to rest and reflect. There were trays of cheese, bread, fruit and other foodstuffs along with wine and ale. Neither man was hungry.
James paced the confines of the room like some sleek predator while Blair sat quietly waiting. The young Prince meditated in an effort to find some sort of inner calm and detachment. The lovers did not speak, there was nothing left to say. They both knew how they felt about each other.
After several hours, another group of acolytes appeared to bathe the Chosen and dress him for the ceremony. Blair was washed with warm water and oils scented with orange blossoms were rubbed into his skin. He was given a simple white robe embroidered at hem and sleeves with sea creatures stitched in silver thread. A simple silver circlet held back his sable colored curls and a belt, also made of silver and set with moonstones, went around his waist and he was ready.
The sun was now low in the sky and Cassandra came to see them. She looked very elegant in her ceremonial robes and her expression was grave.
"Chosen, it is almost time. Are you ready to do your duty for the Goddess and the people of Atlantis?" Cassandra chose formality in an effort to distance herself from her own sorrow.
Blair drew a deep breath, held it for the space of 5 heartbeats and then let it out slowly. He regarded her steadily, his reply firm and confident.
"I am."
The Oracle nodded. "Then let me explain what will happen. In an hour, you will be escorted by the Blessed Protector and the priestesses to the temple gardens where you will be handed over to me. James knows what to do, he's done this before. All the officials that were here last week will be present for this ceremony. There will be several prayers said and some lesser offerings made. After that, you will be asked again if you are ready to give yourself to the Goddess. Upon your reply, you will then be given an elixir which render you motionless. You will be awake but you will not be able to move. You will be lifted into the pool and submerged until you stop breathing and your heart stops beating. James will confirm your death and the ceremony will be over."
During the recitation of upcoming events, Blair grew increasingly pale and his heart began to pound erratically. He licked his lips and asked in a whisper "What will happen to my body?"
"Your body will be laid out in front of the alter in the main temple until tomorrow. After that, your family can claim you for burial."
Blair moved his Blessed Protector's side and asked "James, w-would you wait with m-my b-body overnight? It would make me feel better to know that you were there."
James hugged the smaller man to him tightly. "Of course, Beloved." He whispered thickly.
Cassandra left to finish getting ready and the two men were alone again, for the last time. Nothing more was said as they held each other and waited.
An hour later, the sun had set and there was a knock on the door. It was time. Blair and James exited the room and began the long walk down the corridor and out into the gardens. They were flanked on either side by priestesses bearing torches. At the edge of the gardens, Blair stopped and turned to face his Beloved one last time. His face was serene as he reached up on tiptoe to gently kiss the taller man on the lips.
"I love you."
James cupped that sweet face in his hands and kissed Blair back just as gently, just as reverently.
"And I love you. Wait for me?"
Blair smiled softly, gently, tremulously "Always...."
One of the priestesses cleared her throat discreetly and they continued. The crowd parted to make way for the procession. Blair was focused on the Oracle and didn't really notice the array of dignitaries and family members that surrounded him. The little group came to a halt in front of the Oracle and Blair went to one knee.
Cassandra regarded those assembled and asked in a ringing voice "Who brings the Chosen before the Goddess?"
James stepped forward and replied "I do. I give over my charge into the hands of the Temple who will in turn give him into the hands of the Goddess. I have fulfilled my duty. May the Goddess bless us all."
"May the Goddess bless us." The crowd responded en masse.
With that statement, James stepped back and away from his beloved. Two of the larger acolytes moved in to either side of the still kneeling Chosen. It would be their job to lift Blair into the pool below the fountain after he had been paralyzed by the potion.
Cassandra went on with several more prayers and an offering of a young lamb was made. There were more prayers and an offering of some cattle was made. All the while, Blair remained on one knee before the Oracle.
An expectant hush fell over the crowd as the Oracle turned and looked down at the young man kneeling at her feet.
"Chosen, rise and face me." Cassandra intoned.
Blair rose and regarded her steadily.
"Do you give yourself willingly into the hands of the Goddess? Are you ready to face your destiny for the good of the people of Atlantis?"
"I am."
"Very well. So be it." Cassandra nodded and an acolyte handed her a flask. She in turn, handed it to Blair and commanded. "Drink."
Blair took the flask and drank down it's contents. After a just a few moments he began to sway on his feet. He turned his head and looked directly at James. The older man stared back, his eyes full of love and tears streaming down his face. The Prince's knees gave out and the two acolytes moved in to lift him gently.
"Place the Chosen in the pool." The Oracle commanded.
The two men stepped over the marble rim of the pool and lowered their burden slowly into the water. He floated gently, his head held above the water by the acolytes.
Cassandra also stepped into the pool and knelt beside Blair's prone form.
"Goddess, we beseech thee. Take this young man you have Chosen into your care and grant us, the people of Atlantis, prosperity in the coming year."
"Goddess we beseech thee." The crowd responded.
James could hear the muffled sobs of those gathered but his eyes never left the face of his Beloved, whose own eyes stared upward into the night sky.
Cassandra leaned over Blair and looked into his wide blue eyes.
"Forgive me." She murmured and then pushed the young man under. She could see him staring up at her from beneath the water. Bubbles started to rise from his mouth but Blair never moved.
James stepped forward, listening desperately for Blair's heart. It thumped harder and faster in the young man's chest. Faster, harder, more frantically, more erratically. Eventually, after what seemed like an eternity to James, the bubbles lessened to a small trickle and then ceased altogether. James heard Blair's heartbeat skip...and then stutter....and then finally....stop.
Cassandra looked away from Blair's face with it's empty eyes and to the Blessed Protector for confirmation.
James stood numbly, woodenly, with his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. Tears ran unheeded down his face. Inside he felt just as dead as Blair was. He took a deep breath and sobbed out the words the Oracle and all those assembled were waiting to hear.
"It is done."
James sat alone in the great hall of the temple and wept. The ceremony had been over for some time and now he was alone with only Blair's body for company. Once his death had been confirmed, the ceremony had been wrapped up quickly and Blair had been lifted from the water. He had been carried here, to the main hall and laid out on the dais. The Prince's family had all come in one last time. They seemed diminished by what had happened. Disbelieving what they had seen. It was almost as if they still harbored some small hope that Blair would sit up and laugh. That this was all some silly prank that would be over any second. But one look at James' face told them otherwise. Princess Naomi had kissed her only child on the forehead and left without a word. The rest soon followed.
That had been hours ago and now the temple was silent. Even the priestesses and acolytes were all snug in their beds, well pleased with the day's events. James hated them. He sat and stroked the still damp curls from his beloved's face. He would sit through the night, and watch over his Love, just as he had promised. Then, at dawn, he would fall on his sword and join Blair in the afterlife.
James was roused from his thoughts by the sound of soft footsteps approaching. It was Cassandra. She came out of the shadows cautiously, as if unsure of her welcome. James simply stared at her.
She knelt down next to the bereft man and laid her hand on his arm. "It is now time to reveal the rest of what the Goddess showed me last week."
James was puzzled. "What do you mean? Speak plainly, Cassandra, I am in no mood for riddles."
Cassandra smiled slightly "Oh James, we have been making a terrible mistake. The Goddess never wanted us to sacrifice people. All those millennia ago, the Oracle misinterpreted what the Goddess was asking of us. It was a test and we failed miserably."
James just stared at her dumbfounded.
"As strange as it sounds, only you and Blair had the courage to question the Goddess about what was happening. Can you imagine? For thousands of years, the people of Atlantis have been blindly following this order like dumb sheep. And all this time, the Goddess was waiting for someone, anyone, to ask Her why, to ask Her to stop, to tell Her it was wrong, to show even the smallest amount of free will. But it never happened.....until now."
Cassandra looked over at the still form of the dead Prince. She reached out and took his cool hand in her own.
"Both you and Blair, at different times, questioned the reasoning of this course of action. You both asked Her why and begged Her to stop."
James was flabbergasted by this revelation and angry, too. "So now what?" he asked belligerently. "It doesn't change the fact that Blair is dead. Knowing this doesn't ease my pain or bring him back to life."
"Actually, it does."
The voice came from behind them. James and Cassandra both turned to see the figure of a woman emerge from the shadowy recesses of the temple. She was tall and regal with dark brown hair and eyes. Her diaphanous gown shimmered with all the colors of the sea. James realized with a start that she had no discernible heartbeat and was surrounded by a nimbus of blue light.
The Goddess.
James went down on one knee before Her and bowed his head. Cassandra did the same.
"Rise, both of you." Her voice was calm and soothing, like the sound of the sea.
She looked at James and smiled. "Be at peace, My Warrior. I have heard your plea and have come to grant you your fondest wish."
With that, The Goddess reached out her hand and caressed Blair's brow. The Prince convulsed once and began coughing up water.
James leapt to his side and supported the young man so that he could breathe. Blair's arms came up slowly and wrapped around the neck of his Blessed Protector. He was incredibly weak and disoriented but seemed to recognize his lover.
"James?" He rasped softly. Even James, with his excellent hearing was hard put to make out the whispered word.
James sat with his Love cradled in his arms, tears of joy welling in his eyes.
"Shhh, Beloved. It's me...just rest. Everything will be okay." He whispered into the damp curls, rocking the smaller man gently. Blair sighed softly and fell into a light doze, utterly drained by his ordeal. James looked up from the still form in his arms into the countenance of the Goddess, joy and wonderment on his face.
"How? Why? I don't understand." He stammered.
The Goddess began to explain. "It has become apparent to me that the people of Atlantis will never learn the lesson this was supposed to teach them. I realized it was time to end this charade when they were willing to sacrifice Blair. He is without a doubt, the finest individual to ever be born to the kingdom. The people all loved him so much and he is so bright and generous. When I told Cassandra that he was to be the next Chosen, I had hoped that they would finally say "enough- no more". But that didn't happen. They were willing to let him die."
The Goddess knelt beside the pair and ran her fingers through Blair's curls. "Only you James, and Blair too, were brave enough to speak out. That is why you will get to live."
James' heart clenched in his chest. "Get to live?"
"Yes." The Goddess replied, a look of extreme sorrow on her youthful face. "The people of Atlantis need to be punished for their folly. They will not survive to see another sunrise."
The soldier squeezed the limp form in his arms even tighter at that announcement. "How?"
The Goddess regarded him coolly. "That is not your concern." She nodded toward the young man sleeping in James' arms. "Take the Sweet One and go. Take a boat from the harbor and sail east. I will make sure you aren't spotted or stopped and that the currents take you safely to the mainland."
With that, the Goddess stood and vanished into the shadows.
James was not about to second-guess his good fortune. He gathered up his Beloved and moved toward the door. Halfway there, he stopped and turned to look at Cassandra. "You knew, didn't you?"
"Yes." The Oracle replied simply.
"Come with us?" He asked.
Cassandra smiled softly and with regret. "I can't. My destiny lies here, with the people of Atlantis. I am just as guilty as they for allowing this to continue."
James was silent for a moment. "I'm sorry." He finally said.
Cassandra just smiled. "You had better get going, dawn will be here soon. Be well, James, take care of Blair."
The Oracle of the Kingdom of Atlantis stepped back and melted into the shadows, just like her Mistress.
James made it to the harbor with no trouble whatsoever. There were many vessels to choose from but one stood out from all the rest. It was a trim little fishing boat in excellent shape with a fully stocked larder and a snug cabin. What had drawn James to this particular boat was the name. "Naomi's Pride and Joy"
He settled Blair in the cabin and set sail for the eastern horizon. They had been traveling for about four hours and had managed to cover a significant distance. Both the wind and the currents were in their favor and Atlantis was many, many leagues behind them.
As the sun began to peak over the eastern horizon, there came an incredible explosion from behind the tiny boat. James turned and looked back in the direction they had come from. A huge cloud of black smoke and ash was mushrooming skyward and a low continuous rumbling filled the air. The sea churned and tossed the little boat to and fro for what seemed like hours.
James knew that the Goddess had finally put an end to the Kingdom of Atlantis with the help of a volcano. Eventually the sea grew calm and the rumbling stopped. James fixed the tiller in place with a length of rope and went below to check on his mate. Blair was sleeping peacefully in the snug little bed built into the wall of the cabin and James longed to join him.
But he couldn't. Not yet. They still had a ways to go before they reached the safety of land. Then and only then would James allow himself to relax his guard. The Blessed Protector leaned in and kissed his Sweet One on the lips. He was still overwhelmed at his amazing good fortune. His mate was alive. He was alive. They now had all the time in the world.
James sighed and went back up on deck. He sat, took hold of the tiller and steered a course for the future.
End Chosen by WendyK: wlk68@msn.com
Author and story notes above.
Disclaimer: The Sentinel is owned etc. by Pet Fly, Inc. These pages and the
stories on them are not meant to infringe on, nor are they endorsed by, Pet Fly, Inc. and Paramount.