Gun walked along the halls his robes fluttering around his legs. His thought's solely on finding his friend. Fluke had been missing and he was worried the King did something to him. The torture he endured was enough and Gun knew the King was capable of anything.
Entering the healing unit, he looked through the aisles hoping his friend was recovering in one of the many healing pods available. The cold room sent chills through Gun he hated the Healing Unit it's emotionless atmosphere felt unsettling. Huge pods were luminated with a special blue light to warm the recipients while they healed. Pod were maintained with their own separate connections and monitors. Individual bodies floated in the healing liquid of the pods, each patient attached to a mask that provided needed air.
The attendants were busy adjusting codes to maintain the healing pods and they didn't notice the beautiful Haren looking into the pods. Gun searched looking for Fluke hoping his friend was just recovering from the torture Captain Max inflicted on his friend. Losing hope he looked into the last healing pod. Fluke was floating, his eyes closed and peaceful. Gun sighed in relief. "You'll be out soon" Gun whispered to his friend. An uncomfortable feeling had him looking closely at his friend. Gun paled he hadn't noticed what was wrong but now he knew. The mask was removed and no subtle movements could be seen, the monitors were blank. His friend was gone. "NO!" Gun screamed "No!!" He hit the pod trying to free his friend. It opened with a swish and blue liquid spilled out, splashing on to the floor. "Fluke!!" Gun cried. He shook his friend trying to wake him "Fluke!" Gun cried again. The attendants ran their foot steps echoing masked by Guns screams.
They surrounded Gun, he held tightly on to Fluke still trying to wake him. "What happened?" An attendant of middle age looked down at the weeping boy.
"He's dead." Gun cried.
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King Joss entered the chambers his mind on his chained possession. Perhaps there was still time for morning delights he thought happily.
"Your highness." Croaked Gulf, his voice horse from yelling. "Please... check on Fluke!"
"Your mind should be on me and me alone." He scolded removing his cloak and setting down on a his favorite black chair, "What do you need of Haren Fluke?"
"Art..." Gulf's throat was so dry it cracked and he struggled to speak. "Haren Art told me he killed Fluke. Please your majesty there isn't much time to waste. We need to save Fluke!" Gulf exclaimed pulling at the chains.
"Haren Fluke is mine to save or do as I will." The King's arrogancy dismissed Gulf's warning. He was to distracted by Gulf's struggles. Each movement Gulf made caused his robes to slide higher and higher up his thighs relieving long legs the King knew all to well wrapped perfectly around his waist.
A servant knocked on the thick chamber doors. He entered and bowed low, je shook with fear, he knew he would be punished for the news he was about to deliver. "My King" the servant began.
"Please check on Fluke!" Gulf interrupted, not caring if he angered the King. "Hurry!"
The servant, still in a bow, continued. "W... We just received information of Haren Fluke." The King remained silent his eyes beginning to darken with anger. "It... It seems there was an issue with the h... healing pod your majesty and Haren Fluke drowned this morning in the remedium liquid."
Gulf screamed in fury. "No!!" He pulled on the chains. "I'll kill him!... I'll kill him!"
The King stalked forward and lifted the smaller servant off his feet. "Tell me... What were my healing attendants doing when MY Haren was drowning!!"
"Your majesty... I... I do not know my king. Please forgive me... It wasn't me." The servant stammered lifting his hands in surrender, sweat formed on his brow and fear clouding his eyes.
"Get out of my sight!" The enraged man bellowed, throwing the servant to the floor. "Guards!!"
Guards rushed in, "your majesty."
"Bring the healing attendants to me!!"
"My king!" Gulf called. "It was Art... punish Art!"
Turning, the king untied Gulf. "What did you say?" The King's voice lowered menacingly. Now free, Gulf sat up rubbing his sore wrists.
"Art was here minutes before you arrived. He told me he killed him."
"Bring Haren Art, and Highest Councilmen Perth." The King ordered before the guards left to do his biding.
King Joss sat at his desk in the corner of his chambers. "My King." Gulf walked to the angry man, his legs shaking from being tied down for so long and wrapped his arms around the silent king. "Punish Haren Art, he said..." Gulf paused as if too devastated to continue, "He said he would be your favorite and he would take you away from me." Gulf kissed the bigger man shuddering in disgust. Mistaking is trembling for desire the King pulled Gulf on to his lap massaging his thigh with his strong hands.
"You need not worry my sweet, Art will pay for his insolence."
I'll kill him myself, Art will pay, Gulf thought viscously.
Moments later the guards arrived with the healing attendants and with them Haren Gun stood, his eyes puffy with grief. "Who was the attendant for Haren Fluke?" The King began his interrogation.
Gulf stood he wanted to run to his friend, to ask him so many questions. They had not seen each other since their escape attempt and unspoken words and reassurances filled Gulf's eye's. He feared he would see hate in Gun's eyes but Gun stared back at Gulf. A slight nod of his head told Gulf all he need to know. They were okay and Gun was still by his side.
"I-It was I sire." A brave attendant lifted his hand and stepped forward.
"And what is your purpose?" King Joss stood his thick braid falling forward swinging back and forth.
The attendant knew his answers would be his undoing his only hope was to fall at the King's mercy. "To monitor the healing pods." His voice trembled but clear.
The King's cold eyes darkened, his voice deepening with barely controlled fury. "Then why is Haren Fluke dead!" His voice echoed around the dark room.
The attendant fell to the floor his knees landing on the elegant carpet, "Forgive me my King, I was monitoring the other pods. I... I did not see his mask detach. It was Haren Gun that discovered Fluke your highness."
Before the King could continue his inquiry, Highest Councilman Perth entered the chambers with Haren Art at his side, "We have been informed of the situation, your highness."
"Where have you been this morning?" King Joss ignored the high councilman, his attention only on Art.
"I've been preparing for the banquet of course! My dance will impress you, my King." Art preened.
"You have been accused of the murder of Haren Fluke."
"What?!" Art stepped back in horror his eyes wide in shock. "I would never do such a thing!"
"Liar!" Gulf spat. "You told me yourself, you little bitch!" Gulf stepped forward his hands clenched into fists.
"Silence!" The King roared grabbing Gulf's arm in a tight grip that had him wincing in pain. Art smiled at Gulf, his eyes twinkling with malice. "Investigate this quietly. We must not let our guests know of what happened this day. Do not let anyone speak of this until tomorrow's sunrise." King Joss commanded, addressing Highest Councilman Perth. Perth bowed in acknowledgement his stern face showing no emotion as if bored with the drama unfolding before him.
"Your highness it is tradition to honor the loss of a Haren." Gun spoke braving the wrath of the King.
"You were the one to find Fluke, were you not?" The intimidating man asked, "Have him investigated along with Haren Art."
"My king!" Both boys exclaimed.
"Haren Gun had nothing to do with this, it was only Haren Art." Gulf stepped closer to the King hoping he could persuade him of Gun's innocence.
Grabbing Gulf by the jaw the King squeezed his rings digging into Gulf's soft skin. Gulf's mouth opened in pain he could see pure lust in the King's gaze. His shoulders slumped he knew what was coming. "You should be preparing for the banquet, you will be the main attraction." The King whispered in Gulf's ear. "Leave us!!" He ordered, unwilling to defy the King everyone quietly left and the chamber doors shut with a resounding click, leaving only the sound of Gulf's pain as the King continued to squeeze Gulf's jaw and throat. Gulf tried to pull away but his strength was no match for the King's thick strong hands. Smiling, King Joss pushed the struggling man down to his knees. Gulf clawed at the sadistic mans wrists tiring to free himself. "How about I fill your mouth, then maybe you will learn to remain silent when your King speaks." He snarled before he filled Gulf's mouth.
Gulf scratched and clawed leaving angry, jagged scratches on the King's muscled thighs. The sight of blood trickling down his thighs had the king moaning in pleasure. "This is why you are the sweetest." He said pulling Gulf to his feet by his hair. "If you perform well tonight. I will allow you to perform the burial ceremony for Haren Fluke for tomorrow's sunrise."
Gulf stilled, not believing the Kings words. "Promise?" Gulf asked his voice hoarse from the ill treatment King Joss caused his throat. "Will you keep your word?" He knew believing the King was unwise but he couldn't let his friend be buried without the proper last rights and burial preparations. Every Haren deserved the honor of a Haren burial then the Haren's family would be taken care of and their soul could leave this hellish place in peace. Without the last rights and recognition as an honorable Haren the family would be banished to exile. He failed Fluke once he would not fail him again. "We can perform the ceremonial rights for Haren Fluke? Haren Fluke and his family will receive the honorable recognition he deserves?"
The King smiled feeling amenable, "Absolutely."
Gulf smiled hesitantly, "Thank you, my King." He bowed but the King's next words had him shuddering in repulsion.
"Now, where were we?" The King asked, enjoying the small happiness fade away in his Haren's dark sullen eyes, "on your knees."