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    Lovers
    Lovers
    Lovers
    Ebook228 pages3 hours

    Lovers

    By Barbara G.Tarn

    ()

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    About this ebook

    A pair of unusual mercenaries who are also lovers.
    Kolia is a barbarian from the northern independent tribes. Joyrise is a Genn with mysterious powers.
    Kolia's mispronounciation of his name makes him known throughout the northern lands as Joris the magic user.
    Their life and love over fifteen years and beyond. A Silvery Earth novel.
    Bonus story: Alion Albright – Breon's son seems willing to follow in Uncle Kolia's footsteps. A short story.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherUnicorn Productions
    Release dateJun 18, 2016
    Lovers
    Author

    Barbara G.Tarn

    Barbara G.Tarn had an intense life in the Middle Ages that stuck to her through the centuries. She prefers swords to guns, long gowns to mini-skirts, and even though she buried the warrior woman, she deplores the death of knights in shining chainmail. She likes to think her condo apartment is a medieval castle, unfortunately lacking a dungeon to throw noisy neighbors and naughty colleagues in. Also known as the Lady with the Unicorns, these days she prefers to add a touch of fantasy to all her stories, past and present – when she’s not wandering on her fantasy world of Silvery Earth or in her Star Minds futuristic universe. She’s a writer, sometimes artist, mostly a world-creator and story-teller. Two of her stories received an Honorable Mention at the Writers of the Future contest. She writes, draws, ignores her day job and blogs every other day.

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      Book preview

      Lovers - Barbara G.Tarn

      Lovers

      by Barbara G. Tarn

      ***

      Barbara G.Tarn copyright © 2016

      electronic edition by Unicorn Productions

      June 2016

      ***

      Table of contents

      1. The Duke of Anderon

      2. Kolia's Sister

      3. The Prince's Awakening

      4. Escape from Grotius

      5. Failed Demon

      6. Ryan Cadwaller

      7. The Sad Centaur

      8. Albrights

      9. Britta and Brenda

      10. Return to Caer Nittak

      11. Joris's Choice

      12. The Unicorn

      13. Shorty's Mother

      14. The Lord of Grotius

      15. Axel

      Bonus story: Alion Albright

      About the author

      Lovers

      The Sterling Star Inn was a large, decently clean and overall shady tavern also known for the mercenaries meeting there between jobs. The drink pricing was low, the quality decent and the variety above average. Same went for the food pricing, that was fairly good and of average variety, plus a few exotic dishes.

      There were no rooms above the main room, or rather, there were but they were mostly vacant because of the noise. The main room was crowded and the noise level was average – at all hours, which meant it was impossible to sleep. The crowd seemed mostly law abiding, as long as one was aware that they were mostly mercenaries and often openly armed.

      About half the dark corners were occupied and half the patrons drunk. The most notable patron was a heavily armed assassin sitting at the bar, but none of the people involved in a minor brawl gave him a second look.

      A handsome, tall barbarian, with short brown hair and blue eyes, had unsheathed his sword and stabbed another mercenary.

      Hey, Kolia Albright, you don't come here to mess with my customers! the innkeeper bellowed.

      I'm also a customer, Kolia retorted. And your customer over there insulted me!

      The innkeeper rolled his eyes, more irritated than angry. Well you better clean up after your mess, he said, pointing his finger at the tall young man who glared at him before turning to his partner, a blond androgynous being with pointed ears.

      Is he dead, Joris? he asked through clenched teeth.

      The blond young man checked and shook his head. A healer will take good care of him. Hey, Asor, take care of Woren, here! he called.

      A half-drunk plump man wearing a physician's tunic wobbled to the table Kolia and Joris had vacated to check on the wounded man slumped over it.

      My name is Kolia Albright of Caer Nittak, Kolia muttered, heading for the exit of the tavern. I'm sick of being considered a barbarian by these people.

      "But you are a barbarian, honey, Joris replied. These are the civilized lands, you can't just unsheathe your sword for something so stupid as a minor insult..."

      It's not a minor insult, Kolia snapped. It's not my fault if I can't write my name! I never needed to!

      Joris was shorter than him and had to rush to keep up with him, his long blond mane flapping on his back. Joris didn't wear a sword, but he didn't need one. He was a pure-blooded Genn, a member of a Magical Race, and he was a magic user.

      They left the Star and headed for the little house they rented when they were in town. They were a good team – a warrior and a magic user – and they were also lovers. Kolia had never met a Genn until Joris had entered his life and saved him from prison, madness, shame and his awful past.

      I taught you how to sign contracts, Joris chided. You should know how to do it by now.

      And I can do it, but there's no need to tease me about it like that guy was doing, Kolia retorted, still mad at the man who had called him an ignorant barbarian.

      You can't kill the people who give us work, what will we live on? Joris insisted.

      There was no need to work for him! Kolia said. We'll find someone else! Like, what did that letter say?

      The Duke of Anderon. Joris rolled his eyes. I guess we'll have to go there to hear what it's all about.

      Fine, we'll pack and go. Kolia glared at him. I will protect you from harm and...

      I don't need your protection, you ugly hairy barbarian, I'm the one who saved you, remember?

      Kolia blushed and covered the opening of his tunic to hide his chest hair. It was true that next to Joris he felt ugly and hairy. He shaved every morning to be worthy of his magical lover, but sometimes he still felt a clumsy Human next to a faery young man.

      He knew the Genn didn't have any body hair and Joris liked to tease him about it. In his hometown men weren't considered men until they killed someone and started growing a beard, joining the warrior caste. Kolia's first battle had been against his family's foes who had defeated them and thrown him into prison, so he hadn't been rewarded for his courage and almost regretted surviving, until Joris had come along.

      Now they worked together as mercenaries, but they didn't really show their love in public. Officially they were just teammates and what they did in their bed was nobody's business. Joris said his spells had started working when he'd met Kolia, so they sort of needed each other.

      As soon as the door to their little two-room home closed behind them, Joris stopped the teasing to put his arms around Kolia's neck. He pulled down the tall Human and kissed him on the mouth, pressing his thin body against Kolia's muscles.

      Joris, we must pack and go to Anderon...

      Later...

      Kolia wasn't really in a hurry to get the next job. He crumbled on the bed with Joris and started undressing him while covering him with butterfly kisses. He'd never been so in love before.

      1. The Duke of Anderon

      Berina, princess of Rota Anak, leaned over Orio's face, trying to kiss him, but the young man turned his face away.

      Come on, Orio, don't be always so reluctant, she muttered before licking his earlobe. She was naked, but so was he. Except she had freedom of movement, he was spread-eagled on the bed and couldn't leave even though he so obviously wanted to.

      Orio was not yet eighteen, with long brown hair and a lovely face with no trace of facial hair. Berina had chosen him to entertain her in her bed, but he had never looked happy. He didn't want to be there and be her bed toy.

      My lady... Karn opened the door and stopped outside of her bedroom. Tall, raven-haired, with a mole on his left cheek, he wasn't as good-looking as Orio, but he was a faithful servant. Berina had used him too before finding a nicer toy.

      Karn, I told you I didn't want to be disturbed, she snapped.

      I'm sorry, my lady, your father has summoned you, the servant answered with a deep bow.

      Berina snorted and pulled on a dressing-gown. Orio was kept in an inner room of her apartment, so she went back to her own bedroom to wear one of her simplest gowns. She wasn't going to dress up for her father.

      She went downstairs to the great hall and bowed to her father, the king of Rota Anak. Well, she bowed mostly at the golden circlet on his forehead, since she wasn't very fond of him.

      Ah, Berina, in a month you shall be a bride, the king said, stern as usual.

      What? But... Father! Berina was outraged. She was twenty-two, but marriage hadn't been mentioned in the castle so far. Where did that come from? She was her father's only heir, she had hoped he'd keep her at Rota Anak forever.

      It's an order, Berina. Your marriage will give prestige to our family and will help us put a foot into the Salamar Kingdom. You will marry the son of the Duke of Anderon – he's young and handsome, rich and noble...

      "But I'm a princess!" she complained.

      And I'm king of a clans' town – more a chief than an actual king. The Duke has more lands than I do, even though he answers to the Salamar king! We live in the tribes' lands, Berina, and your wedding will take us to the civilized lands. You should thank me, there is no better match for you in this kingdom! Therefore you shall marry because I say so.

      I hate you, Berina thought. But she knew better than to disobey her father. She had her own bag of tricks, though. The young nobleman would soon be her new toy.

      ***

      Berina was on horseback behind Karn, but kept turning back to check the wagon with her things – where Orio was kept as well. She wasn't going to give up on her little bed slave just because she was getting married. Civilized lands often meant that husband and wife didn't sleep in the same room after all, and she'd make sure that the Duke of Anderon's son would allow her all the privacy she needed.

      We're almost there, my lady, Karn said as a castle filled the landscape in front of them, surrounded by the tall trees of a luxuriant forest that was probably filled with venison for the Duke's table.

      Seven slim, square towers reached twice the height of the next tallest building in the elegant castle and were connected by fortified, chunky walls made of granite. Stylish windows were scattered generously across the walls in a seemingly random pattern, along with small holes for archers.

      A huge gate with heavy wooden doors and archer holes provided a safe place to rest in the forest stronghold. Huge statues of heroes and kings decorated the bridge outside, memories of glories of the past.

      The castle was relatively new, but so far it stood its ground with ease and it would likely do so for ages to come. Still, Berina wrinkled her nose, unhappy. She didn't like the outside of her new home.

      The inside was more comfortable than her father's castle, with tapestries on the walls and big hearths and glass window-panes, but she still felt a stranger in that place. She was given a guest apartment and another room for her servants and told Karn to tie up Orio as usual. She didn't trust her slave to stay where he was.

      Her bridegroom came to meet her. He was handsome and very formal. Obviously not smitten and ready to go through with the arranged marriage out of duty.

      We have organized a welcome banquet tonight, my lady, the young man said. I hope you will honor me with your presence.

      Berina shooed him out and her maid helped her to put on her most elaborate gown and comb her long brown hair into two neat braids wrapped around her ears. A very thin golden circlet marked her status and she wore a long silken shawl over her dress.

      Lord Maxian is here, Karn said, introducing the bridegroom again.

      The Duke's son had changed clothes too. The elegance of the civilized lands looked funny to Berina, but she put on a mask of indifference and took his arm. She'd show those so-called civilized people what a so-called barbarian princess could do.

      As they entered the great hall, a herald announced; Lord Maxian and Princess Berina of Rota Anak!

      Berina carried herself regally but could still hear the comments.

      It's that foreign princess...

      The duke wants royal blood in his household!

      Well, she's pretty...

      Yes, but she's from the tribes and clans...

      Sedentary by now, but still barbarians to the civilized lands. The family ties and warring neighbors looked old fashioned to what was left of the center of the Moren Empire.

      One of our noble women would have been better!

      Do you think she knows how to behave during meals?

      Who knows! This wedding is so strange!

      She could feel the hostility as she sat next to Maxian at the table covered with food. Of course she knew how to use a knife and fork! Just because most tribes ate with their hands didn't mean she was a savage. Rota Anak was close enough to the Salamar and Varian Kingdoms to have acquired some of their terms and traditions.

      Her bridegroom seemed sweet and nice – and determined to make this marriage worth something. But she hated him and her father who had forced her into this, and only wanted to retire to her room with Orio.

      Salamar noblemen got on her nerves even when they commented that she wasn't really a savage after all. They called her princess but obviously thought she was less than a duchess or any other noblewoman from their kingdom.

      You're the stupid savages, she thought, furious. She had enough of the contempt and mockeries around the table. The food wasn't to her taste either, so she rose and decided to leave the great hall. She wasn't going to allow those people to humiliate her. She was a princess, damn them, and they wouldn't make her feel ashamed of anything!

      Berina! Maxian rushed after her. Princess, please, you can't do this to me! I'm the son of one of the most important men of this kingdom, you can't leave my table like this! I know that my people are misbehaving towards you, but I will tell them to respect you when we're married. It has all been so fast that I myself still can't believe tomorrow we shall be husband and wife...

      Berina saw a servant exiting the room where Orio was kept and, ignoring Maxian's protest, headed there to find Karn leaning over the half-naked boy.

      Karn!

      My lady... Karn bowed deeply. Forgive me, my lady, I looked away for a moment and someone took immediate advantage of it...

      We shall talk about it some other time, she snapped, sitting on the bed next to Orio. She caressed his cheek, but again he tried to avoid her mouth until she blocked his head with both her hands to steal another long kiss.

      Berina! Maxian protested. You can't do this to me, I...

      You shut up! She straightened and glared at him. I'm sick of you, your father and mine! In a few moments everybody in this room will be taken to a castle that belongs to me and you shall be my slave, much like Orio!

      Karn closed the door of the room as Maxian crossed his arms over his chest.

      Berina, he started, frowning. But then the room slowly vanished and he found himself somewhere else. Karn quickly tied his hands behind his back, holding him still. Berina! he protested.

      Shut up! she repeated bluntly. I'm sick of your superiority. Make him be quiet, Karn!

      She actually enjoyed watching her faithful servant rape Maxian. The Duke's son lost all his airs as Karn mercilessly abused his body.

      Berina smirked and turned back to Orio who gritted his teeth but stopped fighting her.

      ***

      There's the castle of the Duke of Anderon, Kolia said. They'd been walking for a few days, sleeping under the stars when no inn was available. Joris wore a headband that hid his pointed ears, since Genn weren't so common outside of the city of Salamar.

      Let's ask the Duke for horses, I'm sick of walking, Joris said. I can teleport myself, but you hate it.

      I thought the Genn didn't use horses.

      Maybe they don't, but I do!

      The Duke of Anderon had a stern face and a white lock in his black hair. He was middle-aged but clean-shaven.

      Welcome, Kolia of Caer Nittak and Joris the Genn, he said. "You're sent by the mercenaries' guild?

      Yessir, Joris answered.

      Princess Berina of Rota Anak has imprisoned my son in a magic castle in the middle of the Horses' Lake. I hope one of you is a magic user, since apparently the princess has secretly studied sorcery, unknown to her own father...

      That's my gift! Joris said. I can take care of her!

      He had started studying as a wizard, but I convinced him there's nothing better than a sword, Kolia added.

      What sword are you talking about? Joris teased, touching

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