From Chronicles of the Varian Empire – The Left-handed Warrior, out on Smashwords and Kindle! This scene follows last week’s post.

The journey to Xendaria was uneventful. They didn’t meet any bandits, but Winged Liam’s talk kept them on edge. He was very talkative for a Sila and he wasn’t even a Singer, but a Map Maker.

Kurt didn’t know if he should ignore or slap the petulant winged being who kept calling them “a beautiful couple”. It wasn’t so much for him – he knew exactly what he wanted and wasn’t a virgin anymore – as for Blondsun who looked confused and sometimes on the verge of kissing him. The company was annoying and he started to wonder how to get rid of both without offending them.

Blondsun was torn. On one side he physically lusted for Kurt more and more – supported by Winged Liam’s words –, on the other side his brain saw the absurdity of the situation. Kurt would never have sex with him and the Sila’s talk often provoked him, stretching his patience almost to a breaking point. And Blondsun hated Kurt’s anger as it changed his adoptive brother into another, very unpleasant person.

They were one day away from their destination, resting on the side of the road, eating their travel provisions, and the young Sila was saying for the umpteenth time how great they looked together when Kurt decided that was it.

He unsheathed his sword and pointed it at the Sila’s throat. Winged Liam gasped and went silent as he stared goggle-eyed at Kurt’s frown.

“As you’re convinced we’re a couple, why don’t you leave us alone?” Kurt demanded, feeling Blondsun holding his breath. “Are you trying to intrude in our intimacy? Don’t you think it’s time you went on your way? I’m sick of your babbling. Tomorrow we’ll be in town and I couldn’t have one night with my partner! Your intrusiveness is rude, I don’t care about Sila rules, this is the ground world and Humans rule, am I clear?”

Winged Liam nodded slowly, gulping down his sudden terror for the left-handed warrior.

“Then off you go,” Kurt ordered, putting away the sword.

“I didn’t want…” Winged Liam begged.

“Not a word!” Kurt pointed a finger at him. “Begone!”

Winged Liam averted his eyes and left.

Blondsun exhaled with relief. “I thought you wanted to kill him,” he grumbled, resuming eating his flat bread.

“I’d have done it if he didn’t leave,” Kurt shrugged. “Sorry, but enough is enough.”

“I know, but he wasn’t listening to me.”

“You’re too sweet.” Kurt smiled despite himself. “Want me to teach you some Human brutality?”

“No, thank you.”

“Sometimes you only need to bluff.”

“Might work with Sila or Genn, not sure Humans or Fajrulo would fall for it.”

“Well, you’re a magic user. Hit first.”

“I can’t.”

“You will learn.”

Blondsun shook his head, depressed.

From Chronicles of the Varian Empire – The Left-handed Warrior, out on Smashwords and Kindle!

Big wings flapping disturbed their conversation and they looked up. A Sila was gliding towards them against the sun. He touched down and folded his feathery wings as the horses stopped to snort at him.

“Good morning,” the Sila came forward. “It’s strange to see a Genn traveling with a Human.”

He stopped between the two horses, staring alternatively at both riders with a big grin. He was young, with short blond hair and slightly darker blond wings. His blue eyes were filled with curiosity and he wore the usual tight-fitting clothes of the Sila – a shirt and long pants –, with boots that wouldn’t last long on the ground.

The Sila were the second best known Magical Race, but only few actually met them. City governors might deal with them, but most commoners never got a chance for a closer look. Nothing was known of the other two Magical Races – Waiora and Fajrulo – but the Sila were considered divine because of their big feathery wings. Except the black-winged ones, who stayed away from any Human population.

Kurt had seen many Sila at the Capital, but none of them so closely. He knew they were Air’s people, much as the Genn were Ether’s and Humans, Earth’s, and that they had very good map makers among them. The winged being must be very naive and very curious to come so close to an armed Human.

“I thought Humans didn’t like the Genn anymore,” the young Sila continued.

“The Emperor doesn’t like them, and I’m not the Emperor,” Kurt replied.

“Kurt is my brother,” Blondsun added. “We grew up together.”

“Sorto!” The Sila beamed. “Are you running away because you love each other and want to be together?”

“What?” Kurt couldn’t believe his ears. “Are you crazy? We told you we’re brothers!”

“Adoptive brothers,” the Sila replied with a mischievous smile. “Won’t prevent you from carnally loving each other if you want.”

“We don’t want,” Kurt snapped. “Humans don’t do these things.”

“What things?” The winged being was puzzled.

“Same-sex love is forbidden,” Kurt answered quickly, embarrassed. Blondsun had blushed at the mention of sex.

“Oh.” The Sila looked disappointed. “But he loves you!” He stared at Blondsun’s confusion. “Don’t you? It shows in the way you look at him!”

“You’re mistaken,” Kurt replied, unsure if he was more upset by the Sila interference or Blondsun’s silence.

“I’m Winged Liam,” the Sila said, grinning again. “And you? Where are you headed?”

“Xendaria,” Kurt answered. “It’s where I was born.”

“And he follows you because he loves you,” Winged Liam teased.

“He doesn’t love me, I have this horrible scar I refuse to get rid of,” Kurt retorted, sarcastic.

Blondsun couldn’t look at anyone or anything and seemed on the verge of an emotional explosion.

“He loves you and looks forward to curling up against you to sleep,” Winged Liam smiled. “You’re so cute, both of you, the tough guy and the shy guy! I want to travel with you!”

“Winged Liam,” Blondsun managed to summon his voice, but it was shaky. “We’d be delighted if you could scout for us. Kurt is a warrior, but you can see from the sky and warn us of ambushes and other dangers.”

“Sure! See you tonight!”

Winged Liam opened his wings and soon was airborne again.

Blondsun cleared his throat and spurred his horse, staring straight ahead. He could feel Kurt’s eyes piercing him.

“We don’t need a scout, you’re a wizard!” Kurt snapped.

“Did you really want him to walk with us and keep on talking?” Blondsun blushed again and his voice shook.

Kurt smiled against his will. “He’s really convinced we’re a couple. But you’re not in love with me, are you?”

“A little,” Blondsun whispered, eyes low. “Not like Goldenleaf, but… and I don’t want to have sex with you if it’s what worries you.”

“In fact I was beginning to think you were too taken by me to look around,” Kurt said. “I mean, at your age you should start looking for a mate, right?”

“Yes, but I haven’t found the right person yet,” Blondsun answered quickly. He didn’t like lies, but he couldn’t say the whole truth or he’d lose Kurt, just like Goldenleaf. Besides, it wasn’t really his first love. Besides, it would go away eventually. Besides, he should tell Winged Liam to shut up!

***

To help you visualize the Sila, please check this old post of mine…