Chapter Seventeen.
 

"Boss, please, no extra fertility," Ballor pleaded, watching Xahar get ready to go dance.  "Sabia doesn't want any kids and I don't want any kids yet.  Please?  I'll beg."

He grinned at him. "I'm going to dance in town, Ballor, not for your fiance.  She made me promise to go dance in town tonight so you and she didn't have to watch me."  He gave him a smug look.  "Plus, it'll make it easier for her to sneak you out of the city for a moonlight picnic at the estate."  Ballor blushed at that, looking away.  "So, you go clean up.  I'll distract Liset so she'll follow me.  We'll be in the usual spot."

"But, boss, what about Mica?"

"He's still undecided if he wants to be more than my teacher.  I think he likes me.  I'm pretty sure actually, but he's scared of me.  I think he's worried that I'll think he'll try to keep me as some sort of fancy concubine.  Which I know isn't the truth, but try telling that to a mage sometime.  Talk about stubborn," he sighed, finishing his primping.  "Okay, I'm ready.  You go clean up while I get some juice.  Then I'll go make Liset chase me."  He nodded, heading back to his shared room while Xahar snuck down the stairs.  He found Liset standing at the bottom, arms crossed, and gave her his best innocent grin.  "What?  She wants a picnic and she said I can't dance for her."

"Sure, boss," she said impatiently.  "What about the safe?"

"Um...."  He shrugged.  "What about it?"

"It's overflowing.  The locks are all engaged and frozen up.  We can't get paid without it."

"Take it out of the bigger safe?" he suggested.

"I can't do that either, it's full too."

He grimaced, then shrugged. "Need it tonight?"

"I was going to go out tonight after I escorted you back here. Mica said he wanted to come over for tea after you were done."  Xahar blinked at that then slowly blushed.  "I don't wanna know, boss," she said before he could say anything else.  "So give, or go fix the safe first. I'm sure Ballor could use some as well for the wedding preparations."

He nodded, going to the big safe first.  It was usually easier to fix.  He managed to get the bottom withdrawal door open and wiggle out a bag, then winced as the next one up didn't move.  "Oh, dear."  He closed that door and went to hand the bag to Liset. "Here, count out your fees.  Then you can chase me down the street again."

"Fat chance, boss," she said dryly.  "I'm too sore to chase you and you're too sore to run."  He nodded, grinning again before strolling out casually.

"No, go back inside!" a guard shouted.  "No being bored tonight! Please no being bored tonight!  There's a new knight and they're celebrating down there!"

"So?"

"No," the guard said, getting in his way.  "Not this drunken lot tonight, Xahar.  Please.  We don't want to get any Squires killed for attempting to arrest a newly drunken knight."   He looked over as Liset joined them.  "Not tonight. There was a knighting today."

"Ballor won't let me dance for his lady," he pouted.

"I don't care," the guard sighed. "I'd let you go have fun but I can't.  I'm under orders, you're to stay inside tonight and to guard yourself from the new knight.  He's got a crush on you and thinks you'll return it."

"Oh, wonderful," Liset said dryly.  "Fine.  Well, Mica wanted to come over anyway."

"Fine," the guard agreed quickly.  "Please do.  By the way, your former cook and housekeeper are at the Tabernacle."

"Then I'm only going there," Xahar assured him, moving around him and down to that old inn.  He walked past the bar and everyone stared.  "I planned on dancing tonight but there's a new knight in town celebrating."  He shrugged. "Blame the guards."  He walked up the stairs, following the nagging going on.  He pounded on the door, staring at Elevan when she opened it.  "Either come home and take up your spots again or I'm going to have to pack up everything you left and be mean about it by putting it in the hay loft.  Be back by breakfast tomorrow."  He stomped off, pouting slightly.  She hadn't even smiled at him.

"It's all right, boss, I'm sure they'll be back soon," Liset soothed, patting him on the back.  She heard a shout and turned, glaring at the young man holding a shiny new sword.  "Not tonight, kid. He's upset."

"I can make him quit pouting," he said smugly.

Xahar looked back at him.  "Kid, you'd die.  Just go back to your friends and celebrate.  Tomorrow this will all be a bad nightmare."

"Why?  The King said you should be married."

"Yeah, but I get to pick my own," Xahar said dryly.  "You're not the one I'd choose."

"I'm from a good family, have my own title and money, and now an earned position."

"Kid, I know how you got your knighthood.  You slept with the wrong princess and there's now a coverup."  The knight looked stunned and Xahar only stared at him.  "Now shoo before I have to report you."  He turned and walked off again, shaking his head at the stupidity of today's youth.  He heard running and ducked under the grab, grabbing the outstretched arm himself to toss the young man against a building.  "What part of you'd die by touching me didn't you understand?" he demanded.  The knight pouted and he rolled his eyes.  "If I even touched you, you'd die, kid.  Your father would be really upset and your mother would cry at your funeral.  So go celebrate without me.  I can't dance tonight because you're out here."  He let him go and stepped back.  "Now, shoo back to wherever you were partying at."  He grabbed Liset by the arm and walked her off. "Was I ever that young and forceful?"

"I don't know, boss, I wasn't around then."  She glanced back at the heartbroken looking young man.  "Oh, man, he looks like you just clubbed his puppy to death."

"One kiss," Xahar said firmly.  The boy ran over and kissed him, then headed off with a dreamy look on his face.  "Never again, kid.  I'm addictive."  He waited until they rounded the corner to wipe his mouth off, not looking where he was going so he ran into a chest.  "Hey," he greeted, grinning at Mica.  "The new knight needed a test of his manliness."

"I saw you kiss him.  I was waiting for him to burst into flames."

Xahar pulled him closer and kissed him deeply, then let him go.  "I reserve that for scared mages who can't decide if they want me or not."  He walked Liset on.  "We're grounded to the house tonight so come up whenever you're ready.  We're trying to figure out how to spoil Ballor rotten before his wedding."

Mica watched them walk, it was all he could do until his brain reengaged and he shook off his lust.  He sighed like any love-struck fool as he followed his man, unable to protest any longer.

Ballor led his giggling woman out to the barn to saddle his horse, smirking at the returning party.  "Can't dance, boss?" she giggled.

"No, there's a new knight with a crush.  He's celebrating.  I did go down and tell Elevan she and Cook had better be back tomorrow for breakfast or I'd have to pack up their stuff and put it in the hayloft.  Have a nice picnic and stay away from the tower, children."

"Yes, Boss," Ballor agreed happily, winking at Liset.  "You can tell him."  He swung up onto his horse's back then grabbed her to pull her up behind him, trotting out with her.  He held in his smirk at Mica's besotted look.  "He's around back," he offered.

"Oh, good."  He walked back there, going to help Xahar's horse.  He was still in trouble, having gotten the former King's personal mare pregnant.  It was a good foal, very strong, but it looked odd.  Only Miradin loved it and had claimed it for her own.  He looked at the large, white, smug beast, then at the more delicate master of his own personal beast.  "Have you decided on castrating him?"

"We'll be doing it magically and no further," he admitted quietly.  His horse snorted and tossed his mane.  "I know, you need a trim. I'll do that tomorrow."  He looked at Mica and grinned.  "Since we're banned to the house tonight, would you like to help me with the safe? It's overly full and we've got to do something about it."

"Put in another one?"

"Or buy a lot of stuff," he agreed dryly.  He patted his stallion on the side.  "You behave," he ordered, walking the mage off.  He found Cook in the kitchen, heating water.  "Can you please make us some tea?"

"Of course," he agreed gruffly.  "Sorry, boss."

"Not an issue.  Not everyone can deal with combat situations.  Now, we'll have to talk about Ballor's wedding.  We'll need something wonderful for it but it may be out at the estate so he can be out in the grove.  She claims she doesn't want any extra fertility so I'm not allowed to dance or even grin at her."

"Sure, boss," he agreed.  "Thank you for letting us come back."

"Who else would understand what I need when I've danced myself sick again?  We'll be in the secondary study.  Bring in the tea."  He walked Mica off, taking him to see the smaller safe, the one they bagged and counted from before putting it into the larger one.  Liset had been right, it was locked up again.  Mica produced some oil so they could open the door, helping him settle down to count and bag money.  The counting panel was very handy and the little burlap bags were used as mage's punishment at the school.  Everyone up there already knew their headmaster was going to be marrying soon, even if he had ignored it.  That was fine though, mages were stubborn.  It was a universal rule.

***
 

Xahar looked out at the grove where the wedding would be, then at Ballor.  "Aren't you ready yet?"

"No, boss," he said, looking at his shaking hands.  "I've faced bands of warriors and thieves without shaking."

"Yes, but a woman is worse than any army and sweeter than any thief bent on romancing a virgin through her window," Xahar said wisely.  "Then there's days she'll make you wish you could join an army and run away."  Ballor laughed at that and allowed his friends to finish tidying him up.  He walked out following Liset and Xahar, going out to where she was being held by her friends and the priest.  He felt himself slow down when he saw her, smiling at the gold strands woven through her hair.  She ran over to kiss him and suddenly his mind went blank.  He could only stare at her and watch her smile.  She said something and he blindly nodded, not hearing a word she said. Then everyone cheered at he shook himself free, looking around.  The priest was smiling and shaking his hand.  "Wasn't I supposed to say something?"

"Yes but you were dumbstruck by her beauty.  We've got measures in place for such events," the priest assured him quietly.

"Now you'll be mine!" a male voice yelled, rushing their group.

"Not today," Xahar moaned, covering his face with a hand, the other going around his waist.  "Please not today."

"Xahar!" the man shouted, jumping off his horse.  "You will be mine or else I will take you back!"

Xahar looked at him, then shook his head, walking over to hit the poor, deluded young boy. He wasn't much beyond his manhood celebration and he went down with a single punch.  "This is my guard and friend's wedding.  You're disrespecting that. I could never be with someone like that," he said in his most cold, snotty voice.  "Therefore you will stay down and quietly leave once we've gone to celebrate."  He took Mica's arm and walked off with him, letting Liset and her friends follow them and the happy couple.  Cook opened the doors to the dining hall so they could see the outside and get fresh air.  He and Elevan had put out a feast for the new couple and they seated themselves, smiling at each other. "Don't forget the toast, you can't sneak off without it," he called sweetly, making the others laugh.  "He made me promise I couldn't do anything that would cause her to become fertile tonight but some things must still be done properly."  Someone pounded on the door and he went to answer it, bowing to his king.  "My King, did you come to celebrate Ballor's happy day with him?  We're at the feasting portion."

"I was out hunting and heard that one yelling.  My knight informed me that it was one of my squire's?"

"He tried to break up the wedding, I punched him," Xahar offered.

"Would you marrying help that?" Frederick asked dryly.

"Perhaps but the best dancers don't dance publically because their inspiration is gone."

"You can live off what you have," Frederick noted.  "Mage Mica?"  He came out.  "You will marry this one or else I will have to charge him with assaulting a squire.  It is a problem we've had recently with him."

"Sire, he was only defending himself and his honor.  That squire keeps trying to defile him."

"You only defile virgins," one of the men in the back said dryly.

"As far as I'm concerned, he is," Mica said firmly, glaring at him.  He shrunk down, not wanting to make him mad.  A mad mage was a creative mage as the saying went.  He glared at the king as well.  "Marrying him would not keep the others from coming for him."

"No, but it would give you recourse to harm them in ways that wouldn't leave a mark or a crying squire," the king noted dryly.  "Therefore you shall or we'll have to punish him."  He saw Xahar's flinch and grab for the mage's arm.  "What shall it be?"

"Priest!" Mica snapped.  He hurried out.  "The king has ordered me to marry this one and to protect him.  I pledge myself and my magic to his safety and well being."

"You don't have to," Xahar reminded him.  "Frederick," he hissed.

"Do shut up now, Xahar.  It's very clear to the rest of us that you adore him, and you do need the protection.  Priest?"

"Xahar, do you accept this one's protection?"

Xahar looked at him, then at Mica, then glared at the very smug king.  "If I say no?"

"I'll have you tortured for sheer stupidity," Frederick assured him.

"Fine, then I shall, but it will be only in name until he desires it to change."

Mica kissed him.  "Shut up, Xahar.  No one said I minded."  He kissed him again, glancing over at the priest.

"I pronounce you wed.  Back to the feast, young ones."

Mica winked at the king before walking his mate off.  "Are you joining in, sire?"

"Yes, I am.  I wish to make sure both happy couples get off to a good start tonight.  Don't forget to toast him later, Xahar."  He dismounted and walked inside, heading to feast with them.  His knights had food on their saddles from their hunt.  His wife would be pleased as well, that way people would quit bothering her to set them up on a date with Xahar.  He'd have to announce it later at Court.  He nodded politely at Ballor.  "Unfortunately, his assault on a squire left me with no choice.  He had to marry or be arrested.  That way someone could keep him out of trouble."

Liset choked and looked at him.  "You're so mean, Frederick."

He smirked.  "It's useful sometimes.  He's happy, look at them kiss," he noted, nodding at the kissing couple.

Ballor looked at Liset.  "Maybe we won't have as many problems on the next trip."

"Hopefully not, or as many rocks on the ground when we camp if he's coming with us."

"No, I cannot leave the school that way," Mica said firmly.  "He'll have to desire me from afar while you travel."

"If that gets us invaded by an army wanting him again, I will have to say something mean," Frederick said firmly, staring the mage down.  "You can go now and then.  It'll do your studies good."

"We're going to the mage's creation school again," Xahar noted calmly.  He glared at the king.  "I will get you back.  Remember, I'm dancing for your wife's sister's wedding in two days.  Your wife will be there.  She loves my dancing and what it makes her feel like."  His eyes went wide and he panted a bit. "Are you looking forward to another daughter, sire?"

"Yes, I am.  I find them adorable and cuddly.  Sons are so much more trouble.  Well, sons and Miradin, who might as well be my son some days."  He sat down and took the goblet from Elevan.  "Thank you, my dear.  I'm surprised he didn't hire servers so you could celebrate with them."

"We celebrated last night.  If you had better timing, it would have been much nicer then," she said sarcastically.  "You know, when the entire unit of squires came down to celebrate with us and watched him dance?"  She walked off, going to hug Sabia.  She adored that girl, she had good sense and would keep Ballor out of trouble.  "You, toast him."

Sabia blushed and raised her glass, looking at her new mate.  "You are my spouse and my Lord Knight.  I would let you ride off with me to save me."

"I could use a good save," he said with a small grin.  He pulled her up and out, going to hide with her for a few hours.  Someone would save them some food.

Cook coughed, looking at Xahar.  "Since it's a double wedding, we'll just feed you so you can be toasted later," he said firmly, putting plates down in front of them and the king.  "For you, sneaky one."  He walked off, going to cuddle with his wife in front of the kitchen fireplace.  It was nicer back here anyway.  Less people to play nice with.  Plus they could hear Sabia and Ballor giggling through the fireplace chimney lines.
 
"I guess we must dine, then dance," Xahar said smugly, saluting his new husband.

Mica kissed him again.  "I'll ward you so no one can touch you but they can look all they want," he promised.

Liset sniffled.  "Just don't make my job obsolete and we'll get on fine, Mica."

"Of course not.  I enjoy watching you work and often laugh at how you beat up on the ones trying for my new husband."  He smirked at her.  "You do good work.  Nearly as good as I am in protecting him."  He kissed the back of Xahar's hand.  "Eat, you'll need it."

"I usually do," he agreed, digging in.  "We should go make merry in one of the village taverns tonight."

"We should," Liset agreed. "Spread the cheer and some of that money that's about to overflow the safes."  She ate a bite of dinner and moaned.  "Oh, this is good.  I had forgotten how good Cook could be when he really wanted to make a meal special."

"It is," Xahar agreed, taking another bite. "I'll do the special new dances tonight."

Liset stared at him for a moment.  "Boss, that's mean," she said simply.  "We're making merry, not making others have to marry."

He grinned.  "It's always nice to spread the cheer around," he offered smugly.  "Say, the Compass Point tavern?  It's nice, clean, has an excellent courtyard."

"That's near the royal's wing," the King noted dryly.

"I know," Xahar said, shooting him a smug look.  "I'm sure they'll enjoy it too, sire.  Do eat, I'm sure you'll have a long ride ahead of you tonight."

"I can only hope so," he agreed, digging in.  "Cook is excellent," he said after he had swallowed.  "I'll have to ask him to teach the daughters how to cook."  He ate happily, knowing he was going to get paid back handsomely for siding with Mica and making Xahar marry him.  He hoped the spell to make sure the next one was a son worked, but if not, he could always try again. He watched the couple cuddle and decided to get his mother onto Liset's case so she could find someone of her own as well.  It was only fair after all.  Even if Xahar did drive everyone in the palace mad with lust tonight, Liset needed someone of her own to sate herself with.  Yes, his mother would do a fine job of finding her someone.

Mica lifted his glass.  "To my new husband.  May he prosper from my protection."

Xahar blushed a bit. "I'm sure I will.  I have so far."  That got a wicked grin.  "Would you like to show me more magic lessons, my husband?"

"Delighted."  He stood up and walked his mate off, taking him to make him howl like Sabia was in their suite.

Liset snorted.  "Don't try it, Frederick.  My mother could still hurt you in combat."

"Yes, but your father couldn't.  It's interesting.  When asked, she did divulge the father's name to me."  He looked at her. "Mother should know."

"You keep your mother and your little shiny knights out of my pants," she said firmly.  "I'm more than capable of finding my own mate.  I can easily go take one and make him mine when I desire it to be so."

"If you say so," he sighed. "Ruin my fun."

She picked up Xahar's roll and threw it at him.  "Of course I am.  You're having much too much fun and it can't be good for you.  Or me."  She stood up and took her plate into the kitchen to eat with Cook and Elevan, making them smile. "They toasted.  Frederick's pouting because I told him to leave his mother and her matchmaking away from me."

Elevan looked at her.  "You need a man. Go capture one.  Shoo, now!" she ordered, waving her off.  "That way I can toast this one again."  Liset giggled and went out to get her horse, taking her off for a ride.  "That girl."

"She's fine, love.  Just fine.  Want that to go, Frederick?" he called.

"No, I'm done.  Thank you for feeding me too, Cook."

"We figured you'd be doing something like this.  Mica was too jumpy not to be in on it.  Have fun.  Suggest someone like Baldrick, over in the Smith's quarter's.  He's a fine man and big too.  She'd like him."

"She does already like him," Elevan noted patiently.  "They couldn't stay together, he wanted her to get pregnant and stay at home."

"Fat lot of that happening," Cook snorted.  "Have fun hunting."

"I shall.  You as well."  He left, going out to interrupt his knight's playing in the grass.  "Come, let us head back.  Xahar's threatened to dance tonight at the Compass Point in celebration of his new marriage."  He mounted and turned his horse around, going to tell his wife about it so she could watch from their windows.  It wasn't seemly to go into a tavern but if he danced in the courtyard, they could easily see it being done.  Then he'd get a chance to use that potion on her so they could have a son.

The knights packed up and followed him, even the one who had burst in on the wedding.  He was in trouble, he'd probably be in the stables that night and wouldn't be able to see his beloved dance.  Even if he couldn't have him, he could still watch him and make sure no one else tried to take him from his new mate.  Mica scared him so he'd help him protect his love. It was the only thing he and the others who loved the dancer could do now.

The End.
 

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