Crown Prince Yoshi – 8

Midori watched for Yoshi, seeking him out in the midst of the dark cloaked army.  Yoshi cut down the three or four soldiers that made it into the circle, but otherwise he stayed safe.

Yoshi’s men changed the tide of the battle.  In the next hour, Namik’s men were dead, Earith was safe, a cry of victory filled the air, and Midori smiled when echoing shouts filled the sunny day.

Midori moved to meet Yoshi, but he couldn’t get into the tight circle around Yoshi.

“My Lord,” Telia said appearing behind him.  “Walk with me.”

Midori smiled happy to see the Furian woman who’d promised to stab him to death if Yoshi got hurt.

“You came back,” he said, unable to hide his happiness.

“His Highness changed his mind,” Telia said.

Midori glanced back at the elite army around Yoshi.

“He’s chosen to declare his status.”

“It is what you wanted,” Telia said as they walked toward the makeshift settlement Midori’s men had created for defense.  “Don’t smile too hard.”

“Why?” Midori asked unable to stop his smile.

Yoshi choosing his title was a good thing, the right thing.  There was hope.

“Because, Yoshi in hiding mode and Yoshi in his title are two different things,” Telia said with a bit of sadness.  “Things have changed, he’s changed.”

“Of course he would,” Midori nodded in approval.  “Yoshi was bred to manage an Empire.”

“Yes, so I’ve heard,” Telia said heading to a set of new black tents set in the middle of the settlement.

Five men guarded the perimeter of the largest tent.  Telia gave the guards a nod as she led Midori in.

Midori stopped when he entered the lighted tent to find a man standing in the middle holding a dagger.  Glancing at Telia, Midori frowned.

“What is this?”

“Don’t ask her,” the man said.  “Your concern is if you leave here with your life.”

“Excuse me?” Midori brought his right hand to his sword.  “Who are you?”

The man was covered from head to toe in dark cloth.  Only his eyes were visible and they were shaded with black.  At Midori’s question, the man gave a small chuckle.

“Forgive me for not introducing myself,” the man gave a short nod.  “You may call me, Tai, General.”

“What do you want?” Midori asked with a frown.

“What I want, is what his Royal Highness, the Prince Yoshi, wants,” Tai answered.  “He’s chosen to trust you.  I’m here to find out if that trust is misplaced.”

“It is not,” Midori said.

“So you say,” Tai said taking a step closer to him.  “I know you well, Midori Sanori, son of Namik, heir to the seat of Fier.  Your father wages war against the House of Taimeng.”

Midori scowled.  “My father wages war, I’m fighting to keep my people alive.”

“Yes, that is true too.”

Tai took another step closer.

“Your people,” Tai said his head cocked to the side.  “To the Prince, every living soul in Amana matters.  Your concern remains with the few in Fier.”

Midori tightened his hold on his sword handle.

Tai looked slight; almost harmless in the way he moved, the way he spoke.  However, his eyes…those dark eyes, a dark aura lingered there.

Midori felt uncomfortable standing too close to Tai.

“I serve the House of Taimeng,” Midori said, holding the unsettling dark gaze.  “The Prince is the leader my people choose.”

Tai captured his gaze for one tense moment, and then smiled a startling flash of teeth.

“As it should be,” Tai said with a small nod.  “Remember your promise, waiting Leader of Fier.”

“My promise,” Midori said.

“Yes, your loyalty to the House of Taimeng is a promise, Midori Sanori.”

Tai nodded and bowed low when the tent opened behind Midori.

Yoshi came in looking bloody, his red and yellow cloak sweeping the ground.  The gold helmet covering his head made him seem taller, more powerful.  It also hid Yoshi’s eyes.

Midori faced him and bowed his head.

“Your Highness,” he said in greeting.

“Tai, send a scout to the Furian forest.  Find out how the Princess Naria fairs, we ride out as soon as Earith is secure,” Yoshi said without looking at Midori.

Tai gave Yoshi a short nod then seemed to disappear in the shadows.  Midori wondered if there was another exit in the tent.

“Telia, ask Lord Janir and his son to see me in the next hour.  No one should come into this tent for thirty minutes.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Telia left quickly using the only visible exit.

Yoshi waited a few minutes after Telia left before he pulled off his helmet.  Midori stared at the heavy gold clip holding Yoshi’s hair on top of his head.  The thick tresses left to fall down Yoshi’s back in a sweaty mess.  When Yoshi lifted his head, Midori felt his heart wring in his chest.

Yoshi looked every bit the prince now.

Midori wondered why he hadn’t seen it that day at the stables, or at the bath.

“Speak freely,” Yoshi said in a quiet tone moving to place his helmet on a chest in the corner of the tent.  “The men guarding this tent are mine.  Their allegiances cannot be bought.”

Midori watched Yoshi untie the heavy cloak he wore.  It dropped to the ground with a soft whisper.  Yoshi wore dark armor: black metal intricately forged to cover his chest and back, legs and arms.  Midori moved to help Yoshi untie the leather ties on the sides.

“You came back,” Midori said.

Yoshi exhaled as they both lifted the armor over his head.

Midori placed the armor on top of the chest.  He placed his hands on Yoshi’s shoulders, smoothing his hands over the silk black tunic Yoshi wore.

Yoshi leaned back against him.

“I—,” Yoshi broke off.  “You were right.”

Midori rubbed his hands over Yoshi’s shoulders, down his arms.

Yoshi turned to face him and a frown creased Yoshi’s handsome face.

“You’re hurt.”

Midori started to protest when Yoshi touched his left arm and the cut he’d gotten earlier.

“I’m fine.”

Yoshi reached for the ties on Midori’s black cloak.  It fell to the ground with a whisper, followed by his sword belt.

Yoshi made short work of Midori’s red and black armor.  They placed it beside Yoshi’s on the chest, and then Yoshi was tugging off Midori’s black tunic.

“Your Highness—,” Midori started only to have Yoshi press a finger on his lips.

“Please use my name,” Yoshi said meeting his gaze.

Midori read fear in Yoshi’s eyes…he could understand the fear…but mixed in to that was need and longing.

Midori dropped his gaze to Yoshi’s parted lips.  He’d dreamt about those lips the past few nights.  Remembering how soft they were against his.  Yoshi moved closer, tilting his head back slightly in invitation.

Midori gripped Yoshi’s upper arms as he leaned to kiss him.  He meant to brush his lips, to taste, to feel Yoshi’s soft lips, but one touch led to a burning need.  Yoshi responded to him like a smoldering flame, igniting in his arms.  Yoshi moved closer, pressing against Midori’s naked chest, his arms going around Midori’s shoulders, his hands smoothing over strong shoulder muscles.

Midori let out a groan his arms tightening around Yoshi.  He deepened their kiss, his tongue plunging into Yoshi’s mouth, taking all he could.  They sunk down to the ground, Yoshi on Midori’s cloak with Midori kneeling over him.  Midori wasted no time stripping Yoshi off his tunic and the black trousers.

“We don’t have much time,” Yoshi said, his breath hitched as Midori kissed his nipples.

Midori dusted kisses down Yoshi’s chest, stopping to swirl his tongue in Yoshi’s belly button.  Yoshi closed his eyes and bit back a soft moan.  Midori bit sensitive skin, wanting to hear Yoshi’s moan; he smiled when a soft sound escaped Yoshi’s lips, sending thrills of satisfaction through him.  He’d wanted to do this for so long.  Wanted to feel Yoshi, kiss him like this.

He continued his exploration, pausing at the sight of Yoshi’s beautiful cock, so hard, already weeping.  Midori looked up to find Yoshi watching him through hooded eyes.  His own cock ached in his breeches, needing inside Yoshi, but they didn’t have time for that, nor the privacy.  Holding Yoshi’s gaze, Midori took Yoshi’s cock into his mouth.  Yoshi’s reaction was immediate; his hips surged forward, sliding his cock deeper into Midori’s mouth.

Midori pushed Yoshi’s legs wider apart, still holding Yoshi’s gaze, he sucked on the head of Yoshi’s hard cock.  Breaking their gaze, he concentrated on taking Yoshi’s cock into his mouth, surrounding the slender hard length with his heat.  He used his tongue to stroke the underside of Yoshi’s cock, sucking the sensitive head.  Yoshi bit his lip hard, his fingers sinking into Midori’s hair as he surged into Midori mouth.  It didn’t take long before he was rewarded with Yoshi’s pleasure.  Hot jets of Yoshi’s semen came in bursts, tasting of peaches and a tinge of salt, he held on to Yoshi’s hips until the wave of pleasure passed.

Midori let Yoshi’s cock out of his mouth, his gaze on an ecstatic Yoshi; he sat back on his haunches desperately wishing they were somewhere private.  He ached.

Yoshi let out a breath and sat up.  Reaching up, he swept his thumb over the corner of Midori’s lip before his hand dropped to Midori’s trousers.

Midori tried to stop him, but Yoshi came up on his knees, and pressed their lips together in a needy kiss.  Midori groaned when Yoshi reached inside his trousers and took his hard aching length.  Yoshi stroked him fast, their lips locked, their kiss consuming as heat built deep inside him.  Yoshi took in his moans as he came into Yoshi’s hand.  They held each other after, until their breathing settled.

“Your Highness,” Sando called from outside the tent, interrupting them, their precious time together over.  “Lord Janir and his son wait for you.”

Yoshi buried his face into Midori’s shoulder with a sigh.

Midori held him tight, and pressed a kiss on top of Yoshi’s head.

“Don’t leave my side,” Yoshi said.  He pulled back and met Midori’s gaze.  “No matter what, promise me, Midori.”

Midori nodded, sure that he’d follow Yoshi to the ends of Amana if asked.  “I promise.”

Yoshi nodded and got to his feet, his glorious body so beautiful, Midori wanted to reach for him again.

“Sando, bring water,” Yoshi said, and then glanced at Midori.  “Bring a healer as well.”

“Are you wounded, Your Highness?” Sando asked his voice filled with panic.

“Do as I say,” Yoshi said without further explanation.  “Invite the Black Guard to the meeting, we shall use General Midori’s quarters.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Sando answered.

A servant brought water fast, rushing in with a large jar and bowl.  Sando must have anticipated Yoshi’s needs.  They spent the next few minutes cleaning up.  Sando came in carrying clothes for Midori.

“I got them from your quarters,” Sando said with a small nod.  He moved to the chests and got Yoshi a white tunic and black trousers.  Once Yoshi was dressed, Sando spent a few minutes fussing with Yoshi’s hair just as the healer came in.

“Where are your people?” Yoshi asked sitting on a bench watching the healer work on Midori’s arm.

“Safe,” Midori said.  “We sent them deeper into the Earith woods.”

Yoshi nodded.  “That’s good news.”

Midori sighed when the healer finished covering his wound.  He wore his tunic and took the hot drink Sando held out.  The taste was bitter: mixture of herbs meant to speed up healing.  It tasted awful.  He shivered and stood to allow Sando to help him wear his armor again.

“Earith is not fully secure,” Yoshi said then.  “The Princess Naria must have relief.  As long as she’s fighting Fier, Earith is in danger.”

“Agreed,” Midori said, adjusting the sleeves of his dark armor as Sando secured them.  “Where did you get the army with you?”

“The Black Guard,” Yoshi answered.

Midori frowned.  He’d never heard of the Black Guard.  Before he could answer, the man named Tai seemed to appear behind Yoshi.  His presence so abrupt, it startled Midori.

“Your Royal Highness,” Tai said in greeting.

Yoshi gave an exasperated sigh.  “Must you move so quiet?”

“We’re at war,” Tai answered.

“Have you done as I asked?” Yoshi asked.

“Yes, the Furian Princess fights,” Tai said.  “She’ll appreciate relief.”

Yoshi nodded and stood up.  “The faster we can organize Earith’s security the better.”

Midori scowled at Tai who placed a black and gold cloak over Yoshi’s shoulders with familiarity.  Yoshi adjusted the cloak without a thought.

“What is the Black Guard?” Midori asked, thanking Sando with a nod when he placed the dark cloak he’d abandoned earlier over Midori’s shoulders.

“The Prince’s guard,” Tai said following Yoshi out the tent.  Midori tried to stay in step with Yoshi, but the moment they stepped out of the tent, the men in the guard surrounded Yoshi like the cloak he wore.

Midori stepped back as Yoshi kept walking ahead.

“I told you,” Telia said, stepping up to him.  “The dark ghouls are in charge now.  No one gets close.”

Midori frowned.  No one but him, but it seemed only in private.

“’Tis for the best,” Telia said then.  “There are assassins among us.”

Midori sighed and would have lingered with Telia but then Yoshi called out.

“Are you coming, General?”

Midori couldn’t help the smile when he hurried forward and the dark ghouls as Telia called them allowed him into the circle.  Suddenly he was walking right beside Yoshi, and the warmth that filled him was hard to describe.

***