Chapter Four
 

Xahar rode into the small village near the mage's school on his groomed and bedecked white stallion.  He was dressed in his fighting leathers again, but his hair had a scarf tied around it to keep it back.  The horse was large, when Ballor came out of the inn his head only came up to the horse's shoulder.  In his mane was braided with a silver chain and another was binding his tail.  On his back was a leather saddle that fit him, again traced and decorated with silver, and his bridle had the same curves and whirls of design.  "Chopee, you like?"

"I do," he admitted, smirking at him.  "Something happen to your old mare?"

"She got into it with a goat in the dragon's lands.  One of the dragons put her out of her misery."  He dismounted, patting his horse on the side.  "A mercenary was giving up.  I talked him out of selling him to a horse trader and bought him directly, saved about a hundred gold.  He took my old saddle and things for his new horse, which the trader sold him at a discount after someone came over to complain about Chopee barbarians smelling up their stalls too."  He looked back at his stallion.  "Well, come on," he ordered.  The horse followed them back to the inn.  "You wouldn't believe it if I told you," he sighed.  "She was a princess dragon.  Stole me twice, once from the dragon guarding me."  He put his stallion into the stables, next to Liset's horse, and walked inside with Ballor afterward.  "No new horse?"

"None to buy," he admitted tiredly.  "I checked."  He ordered them a round and some stew.

"You get stolen more than most heroines in any romance scroll," Liset said as she joined them.  "A *white* horse, boss?"

"He was cheap.  His former owner wanted to leave the life and go farm while having many children. Buying him directly saved me a hundred gold and I got the saddle and stuff in the bargain, just for trading my former one."

"Well, he's certainly a showy horse, boss," she said dryly.  "Chopee?"  He nodded. "How many times did you have to bathe him before their incense stink was removed?"

"About four more times.  He had already cleaned him up a good bit."  He smiled at the innkeeper.  "Where can I dance tonight?"

"There's a town hall.  I'd suggest there.  It's bigger, it'll seat more people."  He walked off, going to spread that news.  He had promised he'd be back to dance for them and now he was.  He checked in the stables, finding the horse had let himself out of his stall and was trying to let that nice mercenary girl's horse out too.  "She won't like that," he warned.  "Back in your own stall, beast."  It snorted and finally got the other latch, walking out with her.  He went back to tell the owners, knowing that by the time they strolled in there, her mare was probably going to be a bit tired.  "Um, 'scuse me, Liset?  His new stallion just let yours out for a stroll in the paddock."

"Oh, no," she moaned, going to stop those two before she had a foal to deal with.  Then she'd need a new horse too, at least until the foal was weaned.  She found the horses mating in the paddock and about half the town watching.  "Xahar!" she yelled.

He came to the door.  "Well, it was a long ride and he did try to jump a few cart horses on our way up," he offered.  "I'll make sure you and Ballor have horses for when we've got to travel," he offered at her dirty look.  "I'm sorry?" he guessed when she continued to glare.  "It'll be a pretty foal."

"I should beat you, I really should," she said bitterly, going to pull her horse away once she could.  "Feel better now?' she asked sarcastically, grabbing the hackmore her horse was wearing and walking her off.  "Big, smelly barbarian horse.  Now I know you used to belong to a barbarian, always after the good girls."  The crowd laughed as she led her mare off, putting her firmly back in her stall.  "This time, stay there."

"He released her," the innkeeper offered.

"Then he can stay out there," she said firmly.  She heard Xahar chuckle and walked to the doors of the barn, glaring at her boss.  "He can stay out here."

"Of course he can.  Two of the farmers wanted to use him to stud their horses too."

"Good!  He won't jump mine again!"  She went back to caring for her poor mare, finding a brush and a pail for water.  She'd need a bath after that.  Once she was ready, she  pulled her out and tied her to a post, starting on her neck to clean her off.  She was a bit lathered after that excitement.

Xahar looked at his horse.  "Don't upset Liset," he said quietly, staring in the dark brown eyes.  "She's the one who makes sure all the stables are nice and comfortable.  She's also the one who does laundry."  His stallion snuffled his shirt, then went back to romping and playing in the paddock like a young colt, including rolling around in the dust.  "I'll brush you later.  You play for now, just leave her mare alone."  The two farmer's sons came riding up on their horses, and Xahar opened the paddock's gates.  His stallion came over to sniff them, not even letting one of the boys dismount before taking that maiden.

"Yes, he's certainly a barbarian," the innkeeper offered.  "Should I bring out your stew?"

"If it wouldn't be any trouble," he said with a gentle smile.  "I should probably watch him to make sure he doesn't go after the humans as well."

The innkeeper snickered and walked off.  "No, not a problem at all, sir," he agreed.  "We live to serve and all that," he joked.  He went to get the boy's stew and ale from the table.  "Your boss's horse is now doing two farm beasts," he told Ballor, who groaned and held his head.  "They asked first."

"With our luck, he'll try it on every mare on the trip home," he complained, bringing their stew bowls out while the tavernkeeper carried the ale mugs.  "Here," he said, handing his boss his.  "I'm going to have to get a gelding this time apparently."

"It probably might be best, yeah," Xahar agreed as he watched his stallion go after the second farmer's mare.  "They'll be pretty foals too."

"Big too," Ballor agreed.  "He's huge, boss.  You looked like a little kid on him." Xahar beamed at him.  "Fine. You like that idea.  He can do everything you wanted and he's probably a bit trained as well, right?"  His boss beamed brighter and nodded.  "Was his former owner a barbarian priest or just the normal barbarian warrior?"

"A higher and older level barbarian warrior.  Cochet is a very good camp guardian as well.  Guarded me very well for the last two days.  Got me up when someone tried to come steal me, bit them when they got closer than he liked, tried to mate with one of them if I remember correctly.  I was pretty tired."  He shrugged and sipped his ale, then sat down on the step to eat his stew.  He hadn't had breakfast yet and this was good enough in his book.  "I'll let you ride behind me on the way to the horse trader's," he offered.  "She'll ride on her mare.  Cochet won't mind and his former owner was about twice what we weigh together without his armor on."

"Fine," Ballor agreed.  "What dance are you doing tonight?"

"Is my CD player still working?"

"Yeah, we've used it a few times while we were reading," Ballor admitted dryly.  "Did you keep those scrolls?"  Xahar nodded, tipping his bowl up to drink the broth.  Ballor sighed and handed his over.  "Didn't get any food, boss?"

"No, I had food.  I just didn't get to eat breakfast.  You finish that, you probably need it to finish healing. How's the arm?"

"Fine. It's down to a minor cut now," he said, showing off the bandages.  "I've got to get it changed later."  He sat down beside him, watching as Liset came out of the barn and stared at his stallion.  "He's got energy like you do."

"I know," Xahar said proudly.  "Even I couldn't bed three maidens in one day."  Ballor snickered, nudging him a bit.  "I can't!"

"I'm sure you could if you were motivated enough," he offered, grinning and handing over Liset's food when she joined them.  "There, eat with me."

"Sure.  Like usual," she agreed, squeezing between them.  "There's going to be a lot of white foals soon."

"I'll give him a ride back to the markets on mine. You'll ride yours, he'll pick up a new one.  They bribed me so I couldn't say more than I did earlier.  She was a princess after all."

"Enough to replace my horse?" Ballor asked hopefully.

"Enough to replace your horse, my horse, who had an unfortunate run-in with a goat, and her horse if necessary.  I've already traded in the heavier stuff.  You guys had the last job's payment, right?"  They both nodded. "It all gone by you two lounging here?"

"No, not in the least," Liset offered, finishing off her stew and putting the bowl aside.  "I've got it in my stuff. We're using the box to hold our scrolls instead."

"That's fine," he agreed.  He saw a mage coming out of the market and waved, grinning when the apprentice jewelry maker walked over to them.  "How did your claiming jewelry go?"

"Very well, Xahar, he found he liked a number of the pieces and took them on the spot, while giving me a commission to make more."  She smiled at him before kissing him on the cheek.  "Thank you, Xahar.  You're a wonderful source of inspiration."  She looked at the stallion in the paddock, who had just let out a scream of claiming.  "My, he's big."

"He's a Chopee stallion," Xahar said proudly.  "My warmare died.  His former owner wanted to retire so I got him at a good price. Plus, he's showy enough for the dancer in me," he said fondly, grinning at her.

"He's very showy," the mage agreed fondly.  "I bet you look quite alluring up on him."  Ballor and Liset both nodded, sighing a bit.  "At least he can help guard him," she offered.

"So did his warmare.  He still gets stolen," Liset said sarcastically.  She got more comfortable, watching as the stallion sniffed the first mare then went for her again.  "At least he's energetic."

"Very," Xahar agreed.  He shook his head.  "I can't do that."  He got up.  "You have fun, Cochet.  Make me proud."  He headed back inside, grabbing his things from under the table.  He felt the money pouch and the innkeeper subtly pointed at one of the serving girls.  Xahar walked over to her and kissed her stupid, then held out his hand.  "Payment.  You took it."  She dug the coins out and handed them over, still giving him a dreamy look.  "Thank you."  He flipped one at the innkeeper.  "Two more nights?"  He nodded.  "My own room?"

"Sure, if they'll allow it."

"Ballor, I'm getting my own room!" he yelled, taking the key up the stairs.  He managed to shut and lock the door before Ballor or Liset made it up there, and smirked as they pounded and demanded he let one of them in. "Nothing's going to happen!" he yelled.

"You always say that and you're always wrong!" Liset yelled back, pounding on the door again, then kicking it.  "Let us in!"

"I was right about the mages not stealing me, I'm right about this!" he called, settling in on the bed with a smirk.  If he had an hourglass, he'd time how long it took them to get in, but he wasn't that mean.  "I'll be fine.  I'm going to stretch."

"Which you need one of us to help with, boss," Ballor reminded him impatiently.  "Let us in!"

Xahar got up and opened the door, looking at him.  "You know, I could pick up a new friend tonight," he said dryly.  "I doubt either of you want to watch."  Liset blushed at that.  "Ballor, did you want to watch?"

"No," he snorted, walking in and looking around.  He opened the closet door, sending the cleaning woman running for the stairs.  He looked at his boss.  "No staying alone. I don't care if you pick up half the town for the night, boss.  No staying alone.  That way we know we'll wake up and still have you here."

"It hasn't stopped someone in the past," he offered dryly, smirking at him.  He patted Ballor on the shoulder.  "I love you, Ballor, but I'm sleeping alone tonight.  Just like I do at home.  Go sleep with Liset and I'll be fine.  I promise I won't sneak out or anything.  I've got new clothes and some ropes to help me stretch.  Bring me my CD's and the player and you can guard me tonight.  It'll be *fine*."

"It won't, boss," Liset said firmly.  "Someone will try, I know they will.   It's not a good idea."

"Liset, I love you too, but I'm going to sleep on my own tonight.  I *promise* I won't get stolen from my bed.  Okay?"  They shook their heads.  "It'll be fine.  Save the worry and the ulcers for the road trip home.  Remember, we're stopping in a huge bazaar," he said smugly.  They both whimpered and shuddered, moaning under their breaths.  "Now, if you're good kids, I'll buy you treats before I dance there.  By the way, we might have Solstice free.  The dragon had that broach Countessa Morganis always wears."

"She sold it.  Her husband said he got tired of it and got her something better.  The old one was enamel and paint."  Liset walked in to look at his bag.  "New clothes?"

"Some," he said smugly.  "Since all mine were getting thin and tight."  He unpacked his bag, tossing Liset the coins he had on him.  Then he tossed Ballor the bag, watching his wince.  "That's minus my horse, today's fees, and a few other neat things," he offered, unpacking the new outfits.  He held up his new favorite proudly. "You like?"

"I do, boss, but I think it's going to ride a bit low.  Will it stay on?" Ballor asked.

"It did for the two performances I did at the bazaar," he said with a small shrug. He laid them across the bed.  "Bring me the player and my CD case."  Liset went to hide the money and bring that back, handing him the other bags they had of his.  "Thank you, dear."  He settled down to find everything he needed, including his body oil.  He took off his vest and looked at them.  "I've got to shave."  They walked out together, Ballor closing the door behind him, but he could hear someone was standing out there.  "Get me some warm water," he called.  "I need a bath too!"

"Fine, boss," Liset called back, stomping down the stairs.  "The pain upstairs needs some hot water for a bath and to shave."

"A'course he does," the innkeeper said with a grin. "He'll be fine.  We won't let no one steal him."

"Yeah, we keep saying the same thing," she said dryly, going to check on her poor mare and make sure she was still inside.  She found her mare in the paddock enjoying another round and groaned, going to find something to fix that stallion.  "Get away from my mare!" she shouted, finding an axe in the woodpile.

Ballor walked up behind her and grabbed the axe, walking off.  "You won't like motherhood, it'll mean you have to stay home," he called to the mare.  He put the axe down and picked Liset up, carrying her inside.  He put her down in front of their shared bed. "I believe you need a nap," he said gently, leaving to guard Xahar's door by himself.  She really needed some rest. He knocked when someone walked up the stairs with two buckets, letting Xahar get the door from his side since it was probably locked again.  His boss could be so childish at times.  He found his axe, then came back to make sure it was very sharp and ready for use while he waited for Xahar to come out.

Liset came out after her nap, pushing her hair back.  "Isn't he ready yet?"

"No."  He shook his head.  "He's not splashing but I smell his oil."  He nudged her.  "Feel better?"  She nodded.  "Good.  Don't worry, it'll be a pretty foal and she'll be fine waiting on us while we travel."  He looked back as his boss came out of his room, staring at his new outfit.  "Boss, that dips really low.  I see you had to shave a lot this time."  Xahar smirked and nodded, heading down the stairs at a hop and a skip.  "Is it just me or are those nearly see-through?"

"No, they're see-through," she sighed, grabbing her sword and pulling on her breastplate as she followed him down.  "Where is he dancing?"

"I talked to the village elder, he said to do it in front of the fountain just after dark," the innkeeper offered.  He handed over a tray of meat and bread.  "Here, feed him, he's too skinny.  My wife wants to baby him."

"You sure that's all she wants to do to him?" Ballor asked grimly.  "Most older women want to treat him like an infant and nuzzle him."  The innkeeper chuckled and shook his head. "Then I envy you your brilliant and beautiful wife who obviously loves you more than someone who's wearing that outfit."  He carried the food over, going back for some watered down wine.  Xahar was nibbling on the meat while Liset was eating a makeshift sandwich.  He handed over the wine cups and sat down to make his own sandwich.  Xahar would want to eat later. They needed energy to save him.  He dug in, eating as fast as he could.  It was nearly dark.

Xahar finished a second slice of meat and his cup of wine, then went to get some water to rinse the taste out, grinning at the innkeeper's wife as he slipped out of the kitchen.  He found most everyone waiting on him and grinned, waving at them.  They had cleared a big spot for him in front of the fountain and people were already setting up to picnic while he danced.  He put his CD player in the shadow of the fountain and turned it on, moving into his first position.  He smiled at the watching people and started off while he walked, that one actually was one that you walked in to start.  He loved doing this set.  It made him feel graceful and free, like he was the wind caressing his lover's skin and the water he waded into to bathe in.  He moved into the second one, letting it all flow now, not hearing the applause at his pause.  He stopped at the end of that one, needing a drink.  Ballor kindly handed over one, letting him drink.  "Anything you want to see in particular?" he asked the crowd.

"No, go back to it," one old man said, waving his walking stick.  "Now, boy!"

Xahar smiled and went back to moving, going into the one that followed the last dance.  This one was a bit more lively, it spoke of a celebration.  He picked a pretty girl since most of the people in front of him were pretty young women, taking her out to dance with her.  She giggled and blushed, but tried to follow along.  She finally gave up and sat down but he continued, grabbing a young man next to dance with him.  The boy blushed more than the girl and let him go as soon as he could, sitting down next to the girl.  So Xahar pulled Ballor over.  He could dance, he'd done this part many times before.  He let out a sigh and went along with it.  Xahar ended up nestled against his chest, grinning up at him, then spun him off and leapt to start the next one.  It was the night after the celebration, which had been the couples dancing, and was now speaking of other sorts of dancing, and the joy the young man in the story felt.  He finished, his head tipped back, his breath panting hard.  The crowd was silent and he looked around, noticing everyone was mostly gone.  The rest were just staring and drooling.  "They all went out to celebrate?" he teased the old man who had demanded he go on.

He nodded.  "Basically.  We'll have some new weddings and children soon," he said happily.  "We needed this, boy.  Thank you."  He stood up with some help from Liset and gathered the remaining women, walking them back to their cottages.  The last one went home with him.  Then again, she was his wife.

Xahar pouted at Ballor.  "No one stayed."

"You can find a new friend at the bazaar," Liset soothed, grabbing the CD player so Ballor could grab Xahar by the arm and drag him off.  They had already gathered the few coins tossed.  She led the way into the inn, smiling at the red-faced innkeeper.  "Our rooms still the same?" she teased.

"Yeah, and my wife sent some water up to both rooms," he agreed, staring at Xahar as he was walked in.  He tried to not stare at the now nearly invisible pants the young dancer was wearing. It was totally see through and looked like he had painted his flesh scarlet.  Once they were safely locked in their rooms, he went to spend some time with his wife. Since no one would be needing drink to get to sleep tonight.  Not even his own daughter, who went up to ask Ballor if he needed...anything more.

***
 

Xahar woke up to someone leaning over his bed, staring up at them.  "You are?" he asked patiently.  "I usually only *invite* people in to watch me sleep."

"I'm your biggest fan," the man whispered, laying down beside him.  "I had you brought up here so I could watch you and love you more."  He smiled and stroked the dancer's cheek.  "You are mine."

"I'm no one's," Xahar said firmly.  "Get out."

"I can't.  We're not at the inn," he said smugly.  "You're all mine now."

Xahar listened, he could hear someone pounding.  "So, you're obviously using magic of some sort.  Mage, wizard, or sorcerer?"

"I've never really differentiated," he said smoothly, trying to move closer.  Xahar calmly kicked him off the bed.  "That's not nice."

"Neither am I.  My lovers *ask*."  He covered himself better with the sheet.  "I do not appreciate this maneuver of yours. By the way, there is a difference.  A mage is a craftsman in his art," he said coolly.  "A wizard is one who uses natural forces but doesn't create, he only mimics and uses.  A sorcerer is a stage magician with fancy tricks and no real skills."  He looked the boy over.  "I'd put you there.  My biggest fans would know I don't like to be stolen.  Therefore you're the same as all the others who attempt to own me."

"If you say so," he said grimly.  He stood up and dusted himself off.  "Unfortunately it's just you and me."

"And whoever's going to break the door in and break your little spell," Xahar pointed out dryly.  "By the way, I'm not that helpless."  He pulled out one of the pins holding up his long braid and lunged at the man, making him shriek and back off.  "Oh, do come back!" he sneered.  "I think you and my pointy sharp thing need to get more acquainted.  After all, my lovers need to be able to put up with me when they piss me off by waking me out of a sound sleep after I dance."  The younger man squeaked and tore off a pendant, smashing it under his foot.  It ended the spell and Liset came through the door, picking him up and carrying him off.  "Thank you!" he called, putting his hairpin back and lying back down.  "Stupid sorcerers."

Ballor stuck his head in.  "You okay?"

"Fine.  He made me cranky."

"I'll make sure you get something sweet for breakfast, boss.  Sure you want to sleep alone?"

"Ha.  Ha," Xahar said flatly.  "Yes."

"Fine, you're the boss," he said with a grin. "We'll take a shift out here."  He closed the door and sat down against it, arms crossed, looking fierce for the next person who came up the stairs.

Liset finally came back.  "You look like you're constipated when you scowl that way," she taunted, heading into their room.  "Wake me when you're ready for a nap."

"Fine and I do not."

"You do, Ballor.  You need to take scowling lessons from some dwarves."  She shut their shared room's door and went back to bed.  He'd get tired soon enough and wake her up.

Ballor stared at the old man coming up the stairs.  "Xahar's asleep."

"Do you think he'd entertain tomorrow after lunch?  We usually take a restbreak then."

"He might," he offered.  "You'd have to ask him.  He'll be amenable after breakfast as long as he gets something sweet.  That sorcerer made him cranky."

"I can hear you," Xahar called, padding over and opening the door.  Ballor fell back, staring up at him.  "Comfy?" he teased with a smirk.  He looked at the old man.  "Maybe for an hour or so.  We're leaving the next morning and I don't want to be sore."

"Thank you, young man.  You're quite nice."  The old man bowed and left smiling.

Xahar nudged Ballor with his foot.  "Get up so I can close the door."  Ballor groaned but did sit up, leaning against the door once it was shut again. "Night."

"Night, Xahar.  Happy sleeps."

"You too.  Just not out there."  He laid back down and covered himself up again.  He wiggled to get comfortable, but he was cold.  He sighed and stared up, trying to get to sleep.  "Ballor?" he called eventually.  His bodyguard came in and laid down next to him, on top of the sheets, letting him curl up next to him.  "Thank you," he said gently.

"Welcome, boss.  It's been a long week, get some rest."  Xahar nodded and shut his eyes, getting closer so he could curl up against his broad chest.  Ballor stroked his back, waiting until his boss fell asleep to relax.  It'd be fine, sometimes Xahar needed not to sleep alone.  He watched the other man sleep.  He looked so young and carefree when he slept.  Like nothing bad had ever come to steal him.  He reached over to stroke his back at the first sound of distress, gentling him back into a restful sleep.  He smiled as his boss nuzzled his chest and gave it a little kiss, but ignored it.  Sometimes Xahar was just a little kid.
 

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