Narmar
was in his early twenties, tall and muscular.
He had already proven himself to be a warrior of some standing. As the eldest son of the Old Bull, the name
of honour given to the lead of their Clan, and his first wife it was Narmar’s
duty to lead the Clan on the death of his father.
But
he was also a Sentinel and he had to find himself a Guide. First he had to see
War Lord Warren, a close friend of the Old Bull. The War Lord would see that he
got the choice pick of the Guides.
His
half brother had tasted a Guide of the Dark Calling for all the good that whore
had done him. Now it was his chance to claim a Guide, one of high status, his
own Dark Guide one that was connected to the dominate Sentinel Clan. Then it
didn’t matter what his half brother did, he wouldn’t be able to challenge his
place as the next Bull of the clan. His
half brother’s new Guide was connected as the by-blow of the White River Clan’s
Senior Guide, but against a high status Guide, he would be out ranked. Only a Dark Guide, one tamed to his hand
would be the true consort for the future leader of his clan.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
The
sun was at its highest now; the first combats had started at dawn for the right
of being the next Senior Sentinel and Guide Prime of the Clans. Already it was
clear that the Dark pairing of the Panther Clan was
the most favoured of the pairings.
Now
Blaer and James faced the second pairing that dared to challenge them. Blaer’s mouth twisted into a chilling smile.
The guide of the challenging sentinel had taken the coward’s way out in his
mind, and nominated a warrior from his clan to fight in his stead.
Blaer
took his guard his sword held at shoulder level
It
was aimed at his opponent’s eyes. In combat between experienced warriors it was
not the movement of the sword, which gave warning of the attack, but the
eyes. This opponent was taller and
stockier built, not a Guide but the surrogate warrior.
The
man shifted round as Blaer slowly circled him, trying to keep the Dark Guide
facing him. Blaer appeared in no hurry to start the fight, the Dark Guide, he knew with sickening certainty,
was playing with him.
Finally
impatiently the man stamped his foot down as he swung his sword, cutting
towards Blaer’s left leg, a blow meant to cripple him.
But
Blaer was too fast letting his sword blade drop down vertically shielding his
leg as he caught the other blade; keeping them in contact he swung them up and
over as he pushed forward. Throwing the other man off balance causing him to
stumble to he knees unable to avoid the pommel of Blaer’s sword as it was
smashed into his face and he dropped to the ground unmoving.
Leaning
on the pommel of his sword Blaer turned to watch Jeme, “What’s taking you so
long” he yelled. Jeme sidestepped a
cutting blow that would have taken his arm off if he hadn’t ducked. “Getting old” Blaer added.
Jeme
snarled as the other sentinel swung his sword to cut through his head. Jeme caught his sword blade with his free
hand, and using it as a staff took the brunt of the blow. The attack brought
the other sentinel closer, and Jeme kicked him in the groin. The man doubled up and for a second Jeme looked
down at him then lashed out catching him with a hard punch to the jaw that put
the man down. He turned to face his Guide.
“Not
bad for an old man, Blaer,
Blaer
closed the distance between them, his gloved hand petting the broad chest, “I
might have to work on your stamina, but you’re promising I give you that”. His smile was innocent, but his eyes were as
old as sin.
As
he turned, Jeme clipped him, across the ass, “Brat”.
The
dark Guide turned on his heel, snarling at him showing his teeth, in throaty
snarl, Jeme’s face changed. It was the
same stoic handsome face but his features had a feral look to them that meant
only one thing. The Dark Bond was ignited and that could only take one course.
.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Blaer
was huddled close to his Sentinel, his head was resting on a broad chest, he
moved his hand over the smooth warm skin, and then turning his face he buried
it into the crook of his Sentinel’s neck.
The
connection between them was mellow, and Blaer luxuriated
In the feeling of being shielded, the heat of
the bond was now just a pleasant warmth, the fire was dying, a smile touching
his lips as the strong arms curled round him, and he could feel the Sentinel
purring, the vibration rumbling under his head. Blaer made a soft groan as a
large hand caressed his hip, the firm fingers stroking up his flank the Sentinel
reinforcing through touch the sensor net he had thrown round his Guide. Blaer’s
breath stuttered, he allowed his emotions to infuse Jeme’s mind. The Sentinel
growled and Blaer gasped as teeth grazed his throat, breath hot on his skin,
then his head was tilted back, and the Sentinel bit him, worrying the skin a bruise began to form, marking him,
this was only one of many that mapped his body. The feeling of being owned
possessed burned through him, a feeling or merging that only the Darkest Bond
could bring him.
Only
when he felt the Sentinel’s mind was right, did he tap into his senses,
piggybacking them, a soft smile unlike the more mischievous, cynical smiled of
the Dark Guide, touched his lips, the warmth under his fingers increased, and
he caught the scent of his Sentinel, he buried his face into Jeme’s neck
rubbing against him, and he filled his lungs with the sharp scent. The steady
beat of the heart made him relax and he began to drift, only to be pulled back,
by the feeling of nails scratching across his stomach he gasped his eyes flying
open, and found himself on his back, looking up into the feral eyes of his Sentinel.
The soft smile changed as he felt Jeme’s emotions, they were now dark and
feral, Blaer’s smile changed to something, which would have inspired fear in
anyone but his Sentinel. Who only smiled broader his larger body now looming
over Blaer, the smaller Guide groaned as large hands that could cause him pain
instead helped his fledging sense come alight one by one.
Now
they bonded slowly, at each touch Blaer, the almost exquisite torture made him
move without any conscious thought. His breath catching in his throat, he felt
as if his body was on fire, and only the touch of his Sentinel could quench the
flames before they engulfed him. Blaer teetered on the edge his breath coming
faster and faster, then suddenly his body bucked arching him up as his mind
spiralled down towards the black void as he overdosed on the multiple
sensations that assaulted him. But suddenly his mind was caught and his body
cradled against the long powerful body of his Sentinel. Blaer’s eyes cracked
open and he looked into the face of his Sentinel. He raised one shaking hand
and his finger tips brushes the strong features then his hand dropped down,
then with a yawn that made his jaw crack he curled up is body intertwining with
his Sentinel’s trying to almost climb into his skin. Then with another yawn his
head dropped at his Sentinel’s touch, and the natural healing sleep claimed
him. Jeme looked down at him with a bemused look. His wildcat Guide had sharp
claws, and teeth, but like this he like almost innocent. Tomorrow they would
fight again and they would win; no one would stand in their way.
Early Morning.
The
next morning, Saemund sat round his central fire, and broke his fast, as he
mediated between two of his clansmen. Suddenly they both tensed, and Saemund
turned to see the two newcomers emerge from their tent his hand moved towards
his own sword hilt, he still didn’t trust them.
The young slender Dark Guide Gamin and his Sentinel Lo-jin. The Sentinel moved forward, as he heard the words of some the Panther
Clan, this was not to protect his Guide, but to protect them from Gamin’s
wrath, he had a temper as quick as lightening bolt flashing across the sky, and
was just as lethal when it struck. But he was aware they could not afford to
make more enemies, the Panther Clan might just be their salvation.
Saemund
forced himself to smile, and waved them across, he believed in the prophecy
about the coming of the Dark Guide and Dark Sentinel and the Shield, so this
was just another addition to his clan. No clan had ever had two Dark Guides.
Saemund
had already received a message from two of the other clan leaders who wanted to
negotiate now before Jeme and Blaer were the Senior Primes of the Clans, then Saemund would be able to call the terms. It would be
Saemund's right to negotiate the first breeding rights for both Jeme and Blaer
when they became Primes of the Clan. The fruits of their loins would make the
clan rich; Jeme would except it as his duty to his clan, and had always enjoyed
the women. But with Blaer now at this side the Dark Guide was a spitting demon,
which would gut anyone that looked at his Sentinel.
Saemund
still felt guilt for the first of the coupling when Jeme and Blaer had joined
as Sentinel and Guide, but the breeding had been successful. Jeme had fathered
three boys all who might develop the gift, the Dark Guide had fathered one boy
and three girls, but the seed might still be true in the boy. He knew that he
would fight his wife over putting the Guide to stud, but Blaer would do what
his Clan Leader ordered this was larger than his own feelings, but then if the
rumours was true. Saemund shook his head, he knew that normally he would not
give them credence but at the Gathering the stories flew round and it was hard
not to believe in them. Looking towards the new pairing, he nodded, if the
legend became true then those denied the Premier Dark Guide, might accept him
in the furs, after all the seed of a Dark Guide was still worth gold in the
trade. The Panther Clan was the sun rising and none could stop it.
0-0-0-0-0-0
Gamin
looked round him, one hand brushing the long hair out of his eyes. As Lo-jin, spoke softly, he reached round and pulled the long
hair back and secured it with a leather tie. The intimate nature wasn’t lost on
the Panther Clan, they had seen Jeme and Blaer act in the self same way, and
this was a pairing connected by the Darkest Bond. They exchanged a smile,
clapped each other on the back and carried on with what they were doing; having
two Dark Guides was a coup for any Clan.
Just
then Jeme appeared from the tent he shared with Blaer, as he stretched his
tunic moved enough to show the marks on his neck, two of the clan sentinels
tightened their grips round their exhausted guides as they walked past, nodding
their greeting, the call of the Dark Guide in the thrones of the dark bond, had
certainly added spice to their own bonding last night.
Their
need to claim their Guide had burned through them like a fever, and now there
was two of the Dark Calling, grinning broadly the sentinels dragged their guides
back to their tent, exchanging a bawdy exchange with the Jeme, before vanishing
into the tents, the door covering falling into place.
Jeme
haled the new pairing his eyes sweeping over the other Dark Guide; the scent of
their dark bond was plain to him, as was his and Blaer’s. Gamin cocked his head
to one side, “who is that?” he jerked a black leather gloved thumb towards
Saemund”.
‘Your
clan leader”
Gamin’s
eyes swept over Saemund weighing him and finding him wanting.
“And
your Guide hasn’t killed him yet!” his smile became broader, as he saw Blaer
appear behind the Sentinel. “You’re slipping brother”
Blaer
huffed “He won’t let me kill him. Made me swear allegiance to
him”.
“Freye”
Gamin hissed, whatever he was about to say was forgotten when Lo-jin caught his arm, giving it a tug. His eyes fixed on the
children coming towards them.
“sentinels” his hand dropped on his sword, as he moved to
block them from Gamin.
The
younger, slender Guide turned as Jeme gave a chuckle that made Gamin to look at
him. As the taller man pointed at the approaching children Blaer moved ahead of
Gamin. The children greeted him
warmly. Sophie was the senior of the
child sentinels and addressed Blaer formally.
“Good
Morning, Dark Guide Blaer, we have come as you commanded”, she nodded her head
forward showing respect to his calling.
Blaer’s
eyes never left her as he crossed his hand across his chest, at the wrist the
flat of his hand touching his shoulder, as he returned the greeting.
Only
then did the other children come up, turning slightly he said, “Gamin come and
meet the future sentinels of our clan” There was no mistaking the “our”.
Gamin
kept his eyes fixed on the youngsters as if he was viewing dangerous animals”
“They’re
females!” he sounded scandalised.
“Good
eyesight you have brother” Blaer drawled back amused.
“But
they’re female” Gamin shook his head.
“I
know but they prove themselves loyal to the Clan”
Gamin
shrugged and slowly circled them; Sophie’s nose twitched and she knew she was
facing another Dark Bonded Sentinel and Guide. And this one was just as wild
and dangerous as their teacher. Carefully she saluted him showing the respect
due to one of his calling.
“Good
morning Dark Guide, Honoured is your Bond” Sophie saluted, but even so kept her
eyes on the new Dark Guide, at her side Justin and Kira did the same.
The
new Dark Guide was a similar age, but taller and more slender, he reached a
gloved hand out and prodded Sophie in the arm, she bit back an
ouch. He raised his hand and with the back of his fingers touched the
side of her face, all the times his head tilting from side to side as if trying
to understand. “Female sentinels” Then he added “your Sentinel had no problem
with them coming to you?”
“He
understands that they honour the Guide in all its forms”.
Gamin
circled them again, this clan was a puzzle, “you have yet to kill the Clan
leader to allow your Sentinel to take his place, and
you allow this perversion to happen”.
Gamin
suddenly smiled and it was brilliant “This is a clan I could take to Brother of
the Dark”.
Sophie
didn’t know how she knew but she just did that some crisis had past, and they
had gained another Dark Guide into the fold.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Caro
reached out and held the hand of Sophie’s mother, reassuring as she said “All
is as it should be” Then giving her hand another squeeze drew her to the fire
to help prepare the meal to break their fast, if the new Sentinel had taken his
Guide to the Darkest Bond then they would both be hungry.
Lo-jin smiled as he heard the whispers of some of the women,
“and mothers all of them” he drawled.
“Oh
you should have heard them talking about Blaer” He clapped Lo-jin on the back and herded him towards the food as he
filled him in on what they were saying, Lo-jin burst
out laughing, this was a Sentinel he could get to like.
Blaer
was sat down and with his students and Gamin was by his side.
The
two Dark Guides had joined hands the power of their calling was looping between
them, slowly, Sophie put a hand out and she could feel the power move through
her like a tingle as if she had caught hold of a stinging nettle, but there was
no fear or pain.
She called on Justin and Kira to follow what she
did, soon the five of them was linked together. For the first time they could
feel the power of the Dark Guides. It hovered at the corner of their minds, and
then rolled over them.
Blaer's
voice was low, “can you feel the colours of our power, the mingling of them?”
Justin
spoke for the first time, “You are blue teacher and orange like the sun in the
presence of Sentinel Prime Jeme, and the new Guide” He dropped his eyes unable
to meet the black on red eyes, “has a green colour and there is a yellow to it,
but also a red.” He paused “how can it be that a Guide can be claimed by two Sentinels?”
He looked up and then frightened glanced down as he felt the emotions of the
new Guide surge only to fade.
Carefully
both the Guides pulled their powers back inside of them, leaving the young sentinels
untouched. Both Guides got to their feet, although different in their looks
they were both good looking, and she was aware that the other women looked at
Blear with longing, and that longing had doubled with the arrival of the new Guide
if what she was hearing was anything to go by, she blushed bright red at some
of the words.
Kira
reached up her small hand taking that of the new Dark Guide.
She
felt a surge of power, then it faded, Gamin looked down at her, and then raised
her hand to look at it as he held in his gloved hand. Blaer was pleased with
the way that Gamin had taken to the young sentinels; he had begun to accept his
place in the Clan.
Jeme
came over, his arm wrapping round that of his Guide as he bend his head down
and nuzzled at his throat, taking a deep breath of his scent, his actions a
public reaffirming of his ownership of his Guide.
Blaer
reached up and with his gloved had caressed the face of the older man. Aloud
Jeme said “Come Gamin it is time to break your fast” and then to the young sentinels
added, “You can join us”.
0-0-0-0-0-0
Sarene
and Huon woke together; her body was wrapped round
his, as if she had tried to crawl into his very soul. She knew now that her
only destiny was with him. She yawed and then snuggled back against the long
warm length of his body the outside world could wait little longer.
Finally
they had been united, her father, she bit her lip that was a problem that
hadn’t gone away. She turned back as she
felt Huon stir, her emotions echoing through him,
quickly she curled up round him again, and was pulled close, allowing her
emotions to mellow. This way her mind
pulled him into a deeper sleep.
She
ran her hand over his powerful muscles, all that strength now at her bidding,
her Sentinel, and only hers. With a contented smile to herself and joined him
in sleep.
0-0-0-0-0-0
When
the sun was at its highest point the Dark Pairing were challenged, it was to be
a hard bloody fight but the result was never in doubt, with the other pairing
of sentinel and guide falling under their swords.
Jeme
could feel the power running through their connection, it was increasing and
there could only be one release, the Darkest Bond.
Fighting
side by side was always a catalyst and Jeme had barely gotten into the tent
when Blaer jump him. Jeme heard a throatily growl, turned and only just managed
to catch the younger man, he was knocked backwards onto the thick covering of
furs.
Blaer
was on top of him pinning him down, the growl was rumbling deep in his throat. His eyes on fire with the Darkest Bond
he reached out with a bloody hand and smeared it across his Sentinel’s face. Only to have it caught and pulled close so that the Sentinel could
examine it when Blaer tried to pull it free. Jeme yanked it back,
hitting the other one away, as he used his own scarf to wrap round the
hand. The wound was not serious, it
could wait. They had more important thing to do. Releasing the hand he could
not help but smile as his feral Guide looked at the bandage picking at its
trailing edge, only to have a strong hand intertwine in his dark thick curls
and firmly pulled his Guide down now they could bond. The feral in the Sentinel
rose up and rejoiced as the two feral met and the Darkest Bond flared and
burned.
They
had fought twice that day and each time been successful. Already there had been
several partnerships withdrawn from the list of combat. But some still
remained. Now they had achieved their destiny, and it was time to celebrate,
and for a Sentinel it meant burying himself deep in his Guide mind body and
soul.
0-0-0-0
The
Lodge at Dawn
“Your
father sent word of your coming, and that you’re looking for a guide”
“You will find many guides on offer”
“ A Dark Guide” Narmar asked.
“What
you need is a guide connected to what will be the Premier Clans, the Panthers”.
Narmar shook his head “their clan leader is a slave a...”
“His Sentinel and Guide are to become the next Seniors of the Clan. They are a Dark Pair and no one is going to stand in their way. Take a guide from their clan, one related by blood to Saemund and you bind them to a blood alliance.
The
younger man reluctantly let go of his dream of a Dark Guide, an alliance like
that would please his father and cement his place as the next Clan Leader. He
smiled and
0-0-0-0-0
Narmar and his followers made their way to the
Panther Clan; they carried furs and gold plate the first gifts in the game of
ownership of a Panther Guide.
It was
then he saw the young woman come out of the tent her fair hair was swirled
round her shoulders, she was pretty and had curves a man would die for. It had been along time since he had had a
woman to warm his bed, he fingered his purse. He felt the power of a guide in
her that would add spice to their coupling, it was known the best Clan
prostitutes were those that had the gift of feeling the emotions of their
clients and masters, perhaps Saemund would give her to him
as part of their negotiations if he asked.
Just
then a man came out of the tent and wrapped an arm round her waist and pulled
her close, his hand cupping her rump as he pulled her up and tight against him,
he nuzzled her throat, pushing her loose dress down to expose the white creamy
skin of her shoulder. His head came up fast and he snarled at Narmar bending
slightly he threw her over his shoulder and carried her back to the tent.
A
voice behind him cause him to turned fast, and he found himself looking at a
young man dressed only in a loose fitting robe, his long curly hair cascading
over his shoulder. Narmar’s mouth dropped open.
“She
is a guide”. The man said.
Narmar’s
suddenly shifted; “You dare to talk to me” he moved forward in two strides and
struck at the smaller man. In his Narmar’s father’s clan any guide that appeared in public in
heat would be punished, and to dare to talk to the Clan leader’s son would mean
a public beating.
The
smaller man ducked and caught Narmar’s wrist; the
next thing he felt was a blinding pain in his arm as he was forced to his
knees, the Guide looked down at him his smile was chilling “You would think to hurt me sentinel…’ on that
he brought Narmar’s wrist to near breaking point. “Then Sentinel you have to learn”. The Guide released his hold on his wrist and
a bare foot kicked into Narmar’s chest he flew
backwards and landed on his backside.
The
Guide was nearly at the tent when Narmar lunged for him, the Guide spun round
and the young sentinel managed to grab his robe ripping it almost off his body
as he pinned him to the ground he found it easier to hold a wild cat than the
other man.
The
roar was like the sound from no human throat, Narmar was dragged off the Guide
and up into the air, a hard fist hammered into his stomach and face and he was
thrown into the mud. Blood dripped from his mouth as his friends pulled him to
his feet; he pulled his sword, and then froze as he saw the two newcomers in
front of him. One was only around five nine, and held a broadsword,
his companion wore the all black of the Dark Guide with a scarlet braid. His
own sword was held at the ready.
Looking
past he saw his attacker helping up the Guide, trying to hold the robe closed
but he could see the red marks on the smaller man’s throat, and shoulder. His
attacker was a big powerfully built man, his clothing was all black, except for
purple braid lacing up the sleeves, and for the first time Narmar began to feel
fear.
“The
Guide is in heat, he had no right to be flaunting himself”.
“The
Guide” the dark Guide drawled, allowing a smile to twist his lips, “is in the
honour of state of his calling, and for that unbonded” he spat the word as if
unclean, “is the reason you will die, no one touches one of the Dark Calling”.
Jeme
was all over Blaer. He had woken too
late to stop the first attack and had launched into Blessed Protector. The only reason he hadn’t torn the younger sentinel
apart was because he had a need to check on his Guide first.
Gamin
looked him up and down “You have a name dead man”
“Narmar
of the Bull Clan”, For a moment Gamin seemed to start and then his lips thinned
into a chilling smile, then for the sake of your father I shall make your death
memorable” His eyes never leaving Narmar he added. “Let me kill him brother”
“No”
Saemund had arrived and heard the tail end of the conversation, he knew who the
Bull Clan was, and if the young man had made a mistake then he would try and
not see he paid with his life. Blaer snarled at Saemund, “His is unbonded and
laid hands on me; you would protect him at the sake of your own Dark Guide’s
honour”.
Saemund
swore. This was going to be more
difficult than he had imagined. He would
have to resolve this with some tact”.
Gamin
was grinning broadly as he bounced on the balls of his feet, ready to pull his
sword. Only the touch of Lo-jin’s hand was stopping him from striking this man down.
“Blaer,
your bond is honoured by this Clan and by this gathering, I am sure he will apologies to you for this mistake, and then we can
get on with the business of the clan. Senior Guide Prime
Blaer.
For
a moment Saemund allowed his eyes to fix to those of Blaer if he blinked now he
was lost.
Blaer
looked to Jeme. “He will live at my pleasure and until such time as I call in
his life”. Blaer lapsed into one of the guilds dead languages. Saemund say
saw Gamin repeat the words under his breath.
“So
be it done,” the two Dark Guides said together.
He
turned and walked back to his tent; reaching back to snag Jeme's sleeve and
pulled him with him.
Narmar
released the breath he didn’t know he was holding. Gamin had started to turn and then snapped
back, his knife held under the unbonded Sentinel’s throat, his eyes flashing
his smile chilling.
“When
Blaer calls your life as done, I will be waiting” Gamin removed the knife and
patted Narmar’s cheek as if he was a child, a smile touching his lips that sent
Narmer cold, the insanity in this Dark Guide was near the surface, and he made
no effort to hide it. Then Gamin was gone heading back to his Sentinel, all but
bouncing with barely suppressed energy.
Then
he looked his Sentinel in the eyes his body language changing to the sensual
slink of the Dark Guide. Then with the slightest nod of the head he led Lo-jin away leaving only Saemund pick up the pieces.
0-0-0-0-0
The
combats for Senior Sentinel and Guide Prime of the Clans grew more intense with
every fight, but it became clear that only one pairing would become dominate,
as they others fell by the way. Remarkably there were no deaths but many
injuries. Each combat drew more sentinels
and guides to watch.
The
tension between the Dark Sentinel and Guide was being felt by all of the other
pairings, it was as if some one was strumming a harp, the strings radiating
from Jeme and Blaer connecting them to all the other sentinels and guides,
losing them into the primal beat, as the Dark Pair faced the last pairing that
stood between them and supremacy of the Clans, the touch of the swords seemed
to clash like thunder and the swords cut through the air like lightening.
There
was nothing the other pairing could do. The
Dark Pairing moved as one, knowing where each other was without having to
look. The feral power of the Sentinel
was matched by the ruthless aggression of the Dark Guide. Only the blocking of his Sentinel’s blade
stopped him at the last moment from taking the head of the man he fought. Finally they were victorious. Blaer was
breathing hard, but it wasn’t now from combat.
His hair was plastered to his face, his eyes flashed with fire, and his
lips parted in a throaty hiss. He swung
his sword up and over pushing Jeme's blade down as he body checked him. Only the
total surprise of the move allowed him to get away from it. He lunged at Jeme
and the Sentinel stepped back parrying the blade down. The look on his face
changed and his lips pulled back in a predatory smile.
“You
want to play Guide”.
“Only
when you’re on your knees on the fur Sentinel,” Blaer hissed back.
“That
is your place Guide” Jeme stepped in quickly his sword crossing Blaer’s in a
flurry of blows. “You do it so well, so submissive Guide”. He taunted.
Blaer
hurled curses at him, his language worse
than any mercenary soldier. Even as he ducked under Jeme's blade he made his
own slashing strike towards the Sentinel’s knee, only to have it blocked.
Jeme
waved a finger at him, as if scolding a child “You’ll have to do better than
that Brat”.
Saemund
demanded, “This has to stop”. His arm
was caught by Huon, a tolerant smile on his face, his
other arm wrapped round the waist of his Guide. “Did you really think that for
a Dark Pairing that it would stop at equality, one has to be dominate, one
submissive? Blaer is a Dark Guide, pray that he doesn’t win, if he does, your
life will be forfeit, and he will not take half a prize.
“Jeme
had him swore allegiance to me.”
Huon looked at him as if he was a child, “if Blaer wins then all the wagers
are off my friend”.
Saemund
looked back at the fight, then around him, the sentinels and guides were
watching, a loud growling was coming from the sentinels throats, the guides
held onto their arms, their bodies rubbing up against their larger sentinels as
to be taken to the bond was ripping through them, the feeling ignited by Blaer,
the Dark Guide broadcasting his emotions.
Finally
Blaer over extended and Jeme dashed Blaer’s sword out of his hand, and his own
was pointed at his Guide’s throat, the broad tip pushing his head up so that he
was looking into his Guide’s eyes, the emotions swirling round them like water
over a stone. “Kneel”.
“Never”
Blaer never broke eye contact.
Jeme
moved fast his blade moved from Blaer’s throat, and he reversed his hold, the
hilt thudded into Blaer’s leg and his crumbled down onto his knee. The sword
point returned to his throat forcing his head up.
Jeme
nodded to the fallen sword, “Pick it up and hand it to me”.
Blaer
reached out for the sword he moved his head, and gave a small cry quickly
bitten back as Jeme’s blade nicked under of his chin.
He
understood he was not to look away from his Sentinel.
The
Dark Guide reached out blindly, and he caught the sword hilt, and then offered
it to his Sentinel. Jeme took the sword
and planted it blade first in the ground in front of Blaer, so that he was
looking at the engraved Panther and Wolf.
The
sword point at this throat moved, allowing him to press his lips to the engraved
panther and lower his head in submission.
The Sentinel thrust his sword into the air, and roared his victory over
his Guide, dominance was his.
Then
Jeme leaned down caught Blaer by the front of his robes and pulled him to his
feet. Looming over him he slid his sword
into Blaer’s sheath and then aggressively scented at his throat.
“My Guide, honoured above all other”. All sentinels present heard the words and
knew what he was saying, Blaer was his Guide Prime.
He
pulled the bonding sword from the ground holding it aloft.
The
need to bond was running through him, and Blaer now curled round him, pushing
him to the Darkest Bond, with every seductive move of his body and breathed
word.
sentinels
began to break away from the group, dragging their guides to the bond, the Dark
Guide’s emotions sending them cascading into their own needs of coming one with
their destined partner. It was a call as
old as time.
0-0-0-0-0-0
Morlock was watching from the shadows.
He was a professional killer and had kept his own council and waited
until the time was right. Now was the best time when the Dark Guide was lost in
the heated emotions of the Darkest Bond. He had been paid in the tavern to kill
the Dark Guide. Now he would do it. He moved fast and only the fact the Sentinel
was still on alert saved the smaller younger man.
Lo-jin turned fast
pulling his Dark Guide out of the way, even as the sword cut into his
robe. The wound was more bloody than
serious.
Morlock lunged again, cutting Lo-jin’s side. Then he
was hit by a spitting snarling fury. He
didn’t have time to block Gamin, and the Dark Guide was all over him. They hit
the ground together, Gamin on top, his knife going into his chest, blood came
from Morlock’s mouth.
“Who
hired you” Gamin snarled the words as he straddled the assassin.
When
the man refused to answer, Gamin stabbed him in the shoulder, his weight on the
knife, as Morlock screamed.
“A name” snarled Gamin
“Gamin”
Lo-jin called his name, as he pushed past Saemund to
get to his Guide.
“Who
hired you” Gamin screamed the words into Morlock’s
face.
“The
man that owned you, whore” Morlock said as the blood bubbled from his mouth.
Lo-jin reached for his Guide, Gamin had lost it; his barely
stable Guide was lost to the demons that tortured his mind.
“Gamin”
his Sentinel tried again. He touched his shoulder, Gamin’s head snapped round
“leave him to Clan justice, you are no longer alone”.
Their
eyes met, and Gamin started to straighten up.
Then suddenly he swung back and down and slashed the dagger across Morlock’s throat, his hand drenched in blood. He reached
out for his Sentinel, his smile bright too bright.
“Had to protect you”.
“ I
know” Lo-jin spoke gently needing to calm his Guide
and then he drew Gamin close, feeling the smaller slender body pressing against
him.
He
spoke for only Gamin’s ears, and felt his Guide wrap himself round his body and
knowing that he was protected took him to their tent. His eyes met those of the
now feral Jeme. Allowing it to ignite his own Primal feelings, they would treat
their wounds and then he would take Gamin to the bond, and through it heal his
mind, allowing him to return to what for him was normality. Then tomorrow they
would learn what their new clan wanted of them, and they would find out who
hired the assassin to kill Gamin. But already he suspected Bull Clan. Gamin was a blot on their honour.
He
heard Jeme’s voice say, “You are no longer alone, and your fight is ours”.
Then Jeme took Blaer into their tent.
0-0-0-0-0-0
The
Next Morning
The
Camp was up and about early, this was the day they would feast and celebrate
the new Senior Sentinel and Guide Pairing, and it would be a day of dance,
song, stories, and ceremonies.
Although
very early Warren and William were already up.
They had business to conduct and the quicker they started the sooner an
agreement could be made before anyone else could interfere.
Saemund
was the next person they called on, the sun was beginning its climb high in the
sky when the deal had been done, only then did Saemund as Clan Leader escort
them to the tent of the new Senior Sentinel and Guide Primes tent.
Saemund
pulled open the leather door covering and entered before stopping dead in his
tracks a bemused look on his face. What
he was seeing wasn’t exactly new but for Warren and Jeme’s father… he shook his
head it was going to be a shock for them, few people understood the dynamics
between Sentinel and Guide, and Blaer and Jeme were at the extreme end of that
behaviour few people having seen a Dark pairing.
Blaer
was dressed in a loose robe and the Sentinel still asleep under the furs.
Blaer’s eyes swept over them seeing them as a threat, his feral side still in
charge, a low growl rumbling from his throat as his hand caught up the bonding
sword, his knees brought under him ready to lunge up and attack. Death hung in
the air when Caro, Saemund's wife entered with a platter of food for the Dark
Pair, she had seen her husband and those fools enter and had hurried over. She
had a place of trust, which the feral Dark Guide respected but even so she had
to be careful to keep her eyes cast down, and cast no looks at Jeme that the
Dark Guide could misinterpret as a challenge to his ownership.
Slowly
she placed the platter of food onto the ground, and then backed out her arms
held out marshalling the men behind her.
William
was not about to let a mere woman push him out of the tent, looking at Blaer
then his oldest son, who in moving in his sleep has dislodged the fur allowing
him to see the bite marks and bruising of the Darkest Bond. William pushed past her his face red with
anger, “Unnatural bastard”. He backhanded Blaer across the face, his anger
ignoring the danger he was in.
Blaer
launched himself, only to be caught and pulled down on top of his Sentinel. Jeme’s arm wrapped round him as a hand caught into his long
hair. With his greater strength he flipped his Guide onto his back, pinning the
now spitting snarling Guide to the furs. His lips pulled back into an unholy
smile as he looked up at the men. “Go”
one word, growled then he lowered his head, his teeth worrying at the flesh of
his Guide throat, the smaller man stilled his anger for the moment controlled
by his Sentinel.
But
Blaer would want revenge for that insult, Jeme knew, and that would be counted
in dead bodies.
Caro
saw William being dragged out by her husband, and gave a soft sigh; everything was
back to what it should be. The Dark Pair would bond and Jeme would claim his Guide,
but her face burned red, it looked like it was going to be intense. The fact that no other guide or sentinel in the Clan has surfaced
yet indicated the power that these two generate between them when they bonded.
Suddenly pinned by Blaer and Jeme eyes, burning animal bright, she cast her
eyes down and backed slowly out.
Only
then did she fan her face, there was women from the clans that would have paid
good money to see Jeme and Blaer naked like that.
No
wonder the stories of sentinels and guides especially Dark Guides were so bawdy,
but the true nature of the bond was one the un-sensed could only guess at. She
found herself privileged that her adopted sons trusted her with the knowledge
of that bond.
William
outside of the tent was arguing with Warren a finger pointing back the way they
had come as he demanded something be done about that creature in there who had
emasculated his son. Saemund
unsuccessfully suppressed his laugh and an enraged William turned on him.
“What
do you find so funny” he demanded.
“Jeme
is far from emasculated, just ask the women he’s covered” Saemund
shrugged. It’s the way of the Dark Bond
live with it”.
“Warren”
William appealed to the War Lord.
“I
am a Warrior not a shaman, but be warned interfere with a Dark Bond at your peril”.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
In
the tent
The
tables had been turned and Blaer straddled his Sentinel leaning forward so that
his face was only inches from that of his Sentinel’s. Blaer laughed as Jeme
told him what they were saying, the stupidity of these people amused him, and
when it ceased to amuse him he would kill them.
Blaer
nipped his throat to bring him back to the more important business at hand.
“Ouch”
Jeme came back to the present, feeling Blaer’s tongue swipe across the bite. He
closed his arm round his Guide, and groaned softly as Blaer’s mind bushed his,
and then closed round it and rolling their emotions, blending and merging them
as he did it, opening up each of the Sentinel’s sense, pushing them to their
highest senses, using all his skill to hold them at that peak, knowing that he
could send them tumbling into the void if he wanted the sense of power was like
the strongest ale, and the Dark Guide in him gloried in that knowledge.
For the Sentinel he could feel every part of
his Guide, his heart, the heat of his body, the scratch of each individual hair
on his Guide’s body a sweet torture he had never felt this depth of connection
before as his senses fired and engulfed his Guide. Then he heard the rustle of
air through Blaer’s lungs, the beat of Blaer’s heart faster than normal, his
excitement a heady mixture, the scent changing becoming richer as came off his Guide
in dark coloured waves, it seemed to assault his senses, leaving him wanting
more as addictive as any drug or him time stood still.
When
Jeme surfaced it was with a feeling of peace and balance. As he suddenly
realised that Blaer was talking to him.
“You
know Jeme; perhaps it’s time that you replace Saemund as clan Leader”.
“Humm” Jeme tried to understand what Blaer was saying.
“You’re
a Dark Sentinel, Master…” Blaer let his voice drop slightly, “…of a Dark Guide” He paused “Master” he caressed a broad
shoulder as he lowered his head to nuzzle at this Sentinel’s throat, pushing
back down into the Sentinel’s touch.
“Saemund
is my friend”
“A
true friend would step down, allow you to take your place” Blaer said.
The
Sentinel’s hand caught in Blaer’s long hair and pulled his head up, so that
they where nose-to-nose. He tightened his grip so that Blaer’s neck was arched
back bringing his throat close to his Sentinel’s teeth. He yanked the hair so
that Blaer winced “No Brat you do not even think of it”. Jeme’s voice was cold and
hard, the bond between them was like frost on a winter’s morning and Blaer
shuddered. “I know it’s your nature Blaer, but you swore an oath, and you will
keep to it understand.”
“Yessss” Blaer hissed his reply as Jeme pulled his head back
further.
“Now
show me you understand”
Blaer
kept his head down, and felt for the bond between them, feeling along the
threads, the ice at his touch began to fall free, and was replaced by the hot
lava of the Darkest Bond and his hands moved over the powerful muscular body of
his Sentinel. With an evil smile has
asked “If I can’t kill him, what about
“No”
Jeme managed to spit the word out, as the last of his rational self left him.
Blaer
eased free of the grip to his hair, and back onto his hands and knees, looking
down he slowly lifted his eyes to meet those of his feral Sentinel.
He
reached a hand out trailing it down from Jeme’s body in a sensual sweep feeling
the powerful muscles ripping under his light touch. Then Blaer lifted his head
back and howled as the feral wolf answered the Panther.
0-0-0-0-
Caro
exchanged a look with one of the un-sensed guards as they heard the cries from the
tent, it looked like it was going to be anther interesting day, and the sun was
already not at its peak. She looked at her husband his head bent in talks with
William and Warren; she worried about him, and then glanced back at the tent.
Jeme would never hurt him, but Blaer was on a tight leash, and if he ever
slipped it, she shuddered.
Across the camp.
Narmar
was taken to one side by his clan Steward, “Your brother needs to speak with
you. We have a problem. As long as that bitch Gamin is alive your
brother is unable to complete his bond with his guide, and that bastard of
whore Guide Prime is unlikely to give his blessing to that union. The Old Bull
has ordered that you put this right. You have until four nights have passed, to
kill him.
“Which
one”
“Gamin
first to ensure your brother’s bond, then befriend Jeme and become a powerful
ally the Old Bull wants our clan to rise with the Panthers”.
“He
hates my guts”.
“He
doesn’t know you, and it was that Whore of a Guide that caused the problem, flaunting
his sent, a Bull Clan Sentinel would have taken the whip to his guide for doing
that. Jeme must see the light, see that the power is
with him not that creature who is only there to serve him.”
“Why
doesn’t he just ask that I stop the sun from rising”? Narmar said the sarcasm
was biting.
“Then
you had better learn or your fortune in this clan is no more”.
“You
threaten me?” he paused “you’re nothing, a steward, a slave”
“The
Stewart of the Old Bull, I am his voice in this matter”.
But
even as he said the words Narmar knew he was unable to escape the command, if
he ignored it he would be divorced from his Clan, if he failed he would be
dead, his future lay with the death of the Dark Guide.
To
be continued.