Sui Writes

Tag: Fantasy

  • Blades of Ashes Ch 4-3

    Arc 1- The Case of the Forged Silver Coins

    Chapter 4-3

    Azula read the thorough report written by the Port Magistrate with a mix of awe and annoyance. The document was signed and sealed by the magistrate and Draeya General who had made a solemn promise before the magistrate to catch thieves. It legitimized Azula’s need for a legion escort to Genad City.

    Shaking his head, Azula could only admit that the general had skill in dealing with the corrupt.

    Azula turned to look at Draeya General. They stood outside the magistrate’s office. Draeya General’s officers were getting their horses ready. Draeya General stood tall waiting for his officers to get ready. His expression was calm and ready for whatever came next.

    Azula frowned when the general looked at him.

    “What?”

    “What is your name?” Azula asked. “I can’t keep calling you Draeya General.”

    “Why not?”

    “You called me Azula in the magistrate’s office. If you’re going to be helping my clan, we should know your name. Otherwise, my people won’t trust you.”

    Draeya General studied him for a minute, then stepped closer and held out his right hand to Azula. Azula gripped the report from the magistrate in his left hand and took Draeya General’s right hand in greeting.

    “Raithion Maenaer at your service. My close family calls me Raith.”

    Raithion’s handshake was unexpectedly firm. His palm had calluses, convincing Azula that he was not spoiled despite his high station in life. Damn it, so sexy!

    “Can I call you Raith?” Azula asked as he let go of Raithion’s right hand.

    Azula grinned and brought the paper he held to cover his lips.

    “No.”

    “General Maenaer?”

    “That is my father,” Raithion said. “You can call me General Raithion.”

    “General Raith,” Azula said with a happy smile making Raithion scowl. Azula ignored it and stepped closer to Raithion.

    “Let’s go to the dock. My crew is waiting. We can’t delay delivery to Genad. I’m worried something will happen to my family’s workshops if we don’t make it in time.”

    “Why can’t you meet us outside the port town? There is only one road out of the port,” Raithion said, folding his arms against his chest. “We’ll wait for you at the exit.”

    Azula’s frown deepened.

    “No way,” Azula said. “Do you want to stay on the outside, offering protection without understanding what you’re protecting? How can we trust you?”

    Raithion narrowed his gaze as he studied Azula. Then, he seemed to decide as he nodded.

    “Haedor and I will go with you,” Raithion said. “The rest of the legion will wait for us at the port exit heading to Naga State. Azula, having my legion officers crowding your dock station will make everyone nervous. I assume you’re still conducting business as usual. So, Haedor and I meeting your clan members is enough. In any case, you’re right. Visiting your ship will allow me to understand more about your operations and why anyone would come after you.”

    Azula suddenly remembered the people who were following him and Sennin. He had forgotten about those two women when he met Draeya General and was then dragged to the Magistrate’s Office by him. Looking around the busy compound, he wondered if he would catch a glimpse of them.

    “They’re not here,” Raithion said, drawing Azula’s gaze.

    “What?”

    “The two who were following you,” Raithion said. “They retreated when we entered the Magistrate’s Compound. We have not seen them since.”

    “Oh,” Azula frowned. “You saw them too?”

    “They followed you to the inn but stayed away when they saw my legion officers. I’m glad you were aware.”

    “Hm,” Azula shrugged. “A lot of people want to take our ore or tools, sometimes the wares we make. It pays to be vigilant. Then, let me take you to our ship.”

    “Alright,” Raithion started to head to his horse, but Azula shook his head.

    “You don’t need the horse,” Azula said. “We’ll walk, it’s not far.”

    “But—”

    “Come on, General Raith,” Azula said, taking Raithion’s right hand, and started leading him to the open gates. “Also, let Lieutenant Haedor let go of my friend. I need Sennin.”

    ****

    Raithion stared at the spot where Azula held his right hand as they walked along the main street of the Port City. He could not remember the last time someone had held his hand. Azula reminded him of an anxious child. Azula’s steps were energetic as he walked. He gripped the report from the magistrate in his right hand like a trophy. The smile he directed at Raithion in intervals made him want to laugh.

    “You can slow down,” Raithion said when Azula looked on the verge of breaking into a run. “I won’t run away.”

    “Really?” Azula turned to look at him, his grip on Raithion’s right hand still tight. “This is the first time legion officers are helping us with no payment. I’m nervous.”

    “Are you afraid I will run away?” Raithion asked with a chuckle, amused by Azula’s logic.

    Azula stopped in the middle of the street, forcing Raithion to a stop too. Azula stepped in close and then looked up. Suddenly, Raithion met intense hazel eyes. The noise of the street disappeared and they stood in perfect stillness.

    Azula was shorter than him but that did not deter his presence in the moment.

    “The thieves we’re chasing or evading have taken twelve of our people,” Azula said, his voice soft but full of passion. “Twelve families are mourning the loss of a breadwinner in their homes. The pain of this loss hurts us all. So, when you walk into our ship and promise to protect, we’ll take your word seriously. That’s who we are. The Sura takes the promise of protection with solemn belief. If you won’t be able to meet us on the same level, then it will be better if you walk away.”

    Azula let go of Raithion’s right hand and lifted the magistrate’s report.

    “This is nice to have for use later. But it is secondary. Right now, I need to know I can trust you with Sennin’s life, and the lives of the men who are helping me reach Genad City.”

    Raithion held Azula’s determined gaze for a minute, then his lips shifted into a small smile. It had been a long time since he met such a passionate soul. The capital city was full of people wanting to get ahead. Thieves, liars, insincere, and without gratitude, that’s what he dealt with most times. To meet such a passionate individual… was refreshing.

    Raithion took in a deep breath and let it out with a nod. He reached down and took out a dagger he kept in a hidden scabbard in his boot. Holding the smooth handle, he brought it up for Azula to see.

    “Hold it too,” Raithion said, nodding as he held Azula’s gaze.

    Azula broke their gaze to study the dagger he held, then brought his right hand to the dagger. He met Raithion’s gaze again.

    “What are we doing?”

    “Your Sura values your family,” Raithion said. “I’m a soldier first. And my oath is to protect. I will not run away or shirk my duty if you’re under my protection. This is my oath, on my blade, I will protect your people. Do you believe it?”

    Azula held his gaze for a moment longer then tightened his hold on the dagger, his callused fingers gripping Raithion’s right hand.

    “I believe you,” Azula said, then smiled, a startling curve of his lips that left Raithion stunned as Azula let go of his hand and turned away. “Let’s go, General Raith.”

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  • Blades of Ashes Ch 4-1

    Arc 1- The Case of the Forged Silver Coins

    4-1

    “Sir,” Azula said, facing the magistrate of the Naga Port Town. “I’m here to report a series of thefts.”

    “Yes, you’ve already said that,” the magistrate said, his attention on the bowl of grapes on the desk before him. He sorted them out, one by one, removing skins and piling them on a small saucer.

    Azula frowned at the habit.

    Who peeled grapes?

    The magistrate’s office was a hall with six other desks arranged around the room. Six officers sat at their desks, each one busy. Not with matters of the magistrate’s office. Oh no, that would be too much to ask of this lot.

    One read a book, laughing as he ate peanuts from a bowl on his desk. Another was busy assembling a miniature boat on his desk. Azula would have admired his concentration in a different setting. Three were sleeping. The last one watched him while he chewed on a stick.

    Azula returned his gaze to the rotund man sitting behind the official magistrate’s desk. The magistrate’s face was round and soft, like a fresh bun from the oven. His hair was receding leaving him with an impressive bald spot at the top of his head. His dark brown hair was still held in a ponytail.

    The magistrate’s uniform was a rich purple tunic and a matching jacket decorated with gray embroidery on the sleeves and the collars. A medal of his office was pinned to the lapel of the embroidered jacket.

    Azula could not see more of the magistrate because he sat behind his mammoth desk. He looked overly fascinated with the grapes he was peeling.

    “Sir,” Azula said.

    “Consider the problem reported,” the Magistrate said, picking up the saucer filled with peeled grapes.

    Azula winced when he started eating them in a handful. Grape juice trailed down between the magistrate’s fingers and he wondered how this man kept his office.

    The magistrate smiled wide at Azula.

    “We’ll do our best to catch the thief.”

    “Don’t you want to know what is stolen?’ Azula asked, a frown creasing his forehead.

    Azula looked back at the open doors of the magistrate’s office. Four soldiers guarded the entrance. They each held a spear and wore a sword, ready to defend their magistrate’s office at any sign of trouble.

    “What is stolen?” the Magistrate asked, though he was not interested. He ate another handful of grapes and looked at Azula with a bored expression.

    Azula cursed Draeya General under his breath for the hundredth time. Thirty minutes ago, when he and Sennin finished eating, they got up to leave the table. Azula wanted to return to the ship to start preparations for unloading the carriage. However, the moment they stepped outside, Draeya General’s lieutenant arrested Sennin and asked their legion brothers to hold him.

    Shocked, Azula turned to Draeya General.

    ‘If you want your friend released you will go to the magistrate’s office with me. Report the theft of your ore.’

    Draeya General did not give him an option. He kept walking with eight of his legion officers following him. Haedor, the brute, gripped Azula’s left arm and dragged him away from the inn. Poor Sennin was held by the rest of Draeya General’s legion.

    When they got to the magistrate’s office, Draeya General pushed him to enter alone.

    Azula cursed under his breath. If Draeya General was going to help him, why insist on him reporting to the magistrate? Everyone knew the magistrate did not care to investigate cases that did not benefit him.

    Azula took in a deep breath and prayed for patience.

    “Our Sura Clan’s cargo carriages have been hijacked six times on the road to the Capital City. The thieves have murdered twelve drivers and taken our ore. We seek the government’s help,” Azula said, looking at the Magistrate.

    “That is a sadness,” the Magistrate said with a nod, staring at Azula.

    His expression had not changed. It felt like Azula was reporting that the sun had risen this morning and was now overhead. Azula fought a scowl.

    “And what do you think our magistrate’s office can do to help?”

    “Start looking for the thieves?” Azula suggested.

    “Hm,” the Magistrate said with a nod. “Yes, that is a very good idea. But…”

    Azula frowned when the Magistrate trailed off and glanced at the man chewing on a stick.

    “But what, Hulan?” the Magistrate asked.

    “If the thieves are so vicious as to murder twelve drivers, how can our office of four officers help?”

    “Yes, exactly,” the Magistrate said, smiling at Azula. “It sounds perilous.”

    Azula started counting back from a hundred. His temper would not help him here. There was Sennin to save and he had cargo to offload at the docks, and a journey to Genad City to complete. He could not be arrested here.

    “Will you record the crime?” Azula asked.

    “Oh,” the Magistrate said, with a nod. “Yes. I guess we should note it down somewhere. Don’t worry. We’ll get it down as soon as Siva wakes up. He had a difficult night last night. His wife gave birth to twins and they do not get enough rest in their house anymore. It’s all the crying. I say, babies and wives should live in one residence, while the husband lives in a nice quiet room. But that’s me. What do you think?”

    Azula cursed under his breath, forgetting to count down his temper.

    Clenching his fists, he started to take a step forward, determined to shove the remaining unpeeled grapes into the magistrate’s mouth. The imbecile deserved it, what a horrendous idiot.

    A commotion started before he could reach the magistrate’s desk, and he turned to find Draeya General entering the office with his lieutenant and legion officers. They were fully armed and looked like warmongers.

    Two of the legion officers used their sword handles to hit the desks of the magistrate’s officers, startling them to attention. The sleepy officers fell out of their chairs and stood when they saw legion officers with panic in their eyes.

    Hulan, who had answered the magistrate earlier, stood at attention staring at the ground hoping to go unnoticed.

    Azula frowned.

    Hulan was suspicious. His stance looked confident even as he lowered his head in the presence of Draeya General. His eyes watched Draeya General with intent. A slight smile curved his lips. Azula’s frown deepened, but he had no time to dwell on why.

    The magistrate dropped the plate he held on the floor making a mess of his peeled grapes as he stood up with a gasp. His eyes looked like white balls as they took in Draeya General’s eventful entry.

    Azula frowned at Draeya General who came to stand next to him with casual grace.

    The general wore his formal coat. The black coat with its gold embroidery announced his station and rank. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back as he studied the magistrate with interest. His legion officers were busy intimidating the surprised magistrate officers on each side of the room.

    “Why did you make me come in here if you were going to follow me?” Azula asked, with annoyance. “Making me report a crime to this idiot before you can help me. Did you want to watch me turn into a fool?”

    “It was interesting watching you try to look humble. Don’t insult yourself by calling yourself a fool, Chieftain’s son,” Draeya General said. “And stop scowling at me. I’m not the one who has pissed you off.”

    “You’re holding my friend hostage.”

    Azula cursed under his breath and turned his scowl to the shocked magistrate.

    “You should breathe, Sir,” Azula reminded the Magistrate. “You may choke on the peeled grapes in your mouth.”

    The magistrate sneered and started to point at him, but the grapes in his mouth choked him and he started to cough.

    Azula laughed.

    “Ha, that’s what you get for treating me like an idiot,” Azula said.

    “Hush,” Draeya General warned next to him and stepped forward.

    The general pushed a goblet of water standing next to a jug on the table to the magistrate. The magistrate took the goblet and drank deeply. When he stopped coughing, he placed his goblet on the table and looked at Draeya General.

    “What is the meaning of this? How can a general walk into the Magistrate’s Office armed and cause a commotion?”

    “I heard there was a problem of thieves terrorizing the citizens. I came running to help out because it is what I should do. What do you think, Magistrate Netan?” Draeya General asked. “I, Draeya General, am responsible for looking out for the small citizen.”

    “Draeya!” Magistrate Netan gasped and straightened to his full height. “Ay, if you told me you were coming we would have met you at the gates into the compound. Why—?”

    “No need for the ceremony,” Draeya General said, lifting his hand to stop the magistrate from coming around his desk. “I’m here to pick up a task from the magistrate. How could I announce myself for you to meet me at the gates? I’m not so insolent.”

    Draeya General turned to look at Azula and winked.

    Azula made a face at him, but the general had already returned his attention to the magistrate.

    Magistrate Netan was busy wiping the table and arranging his chair behind his desk.

    “Draeya General, please,” Magistrate Netan said, holding out his hands to his desk for the general to sit.

    “No. Magistrate Netan should sit,” Draeya General said, holding out his right hand to the chair. “I still need you to write down everything this young man said to you. Otherwise, how can you ask me to help him catch thieves?”

    Magistrate Netan stared at Azula in surprise, he stuttered, frowned at Azula, then nodded with enthusiasm.

    “Right. General is right,” the Magistrate said and sat in the chair with a shaky sigh. “Siva, bring me a paper and a pen. I’ll write down the young man’s statement, and orders to catch the thieves.”

    “You need three copies of the report,” Draeya General said and folded his arms against his chest. “Azula, why don’t you start your statement?”

    Azula was caught between awe and annoyance with how fast Draeya General got the magistrate to work. He wished he had half the power. Their Sura Clan would be far richer he thought with a frown.

    Draeya General touched his right shoulder and he scowled at the man before he stated his grievances, one by one.

    *~*~*~*

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  • A Thousand Years of Hope Ch 16-2

    Tani cursed under his breath as he walked away from Dante, his heart speeding in his chest. Just now, when Dante cut the dead branch off the tree, he thought they were going to kiss. It hurt him when Dante turned away without giving in to the urge.

    It was always so difficult at the start of their relationship. This pull between them was too hard to manage. If Tani were asked, they would have spent most of their time here in bed, but…

    He could not be greedy. He needed to remember to take his time. Remember their connection was new for Dante. Their love was fresh…again.

    Tani closed his eyes in frustration and rubbed his forehead with his right hand. He would have let out a soft sigh, but then a strong hand gripped his left wrist, pulling him to a stop.

    Tani gasped when Dante dragged him into his arms and kissed him hard. A deep hungry, demanding kiss that had Tani closing his eyes and his free hand gripping Dante’s left arm to keep steady.

    Dante let go of his wrist. He cupped Tani’s face and kissed him again, like a man starved, finally giving Tani the passionate kiss he had been craving.

    Tani let out a soft moan, wrapping his arms around Dante’s waist, his fingers bunching Dante’s white linen shirt. Feeling the heat coming off Dante’s body. Tani closed his eyes, losing himself in their hungry kiss. He felt too hot, insanely needy, his skin turning sensitive, needing to feel Dante’s hands on him.

    Dante broke their kiss a moment and Tani opened his eyes to find Dante studying him. Dante caressed Tani’s bottom lip with his thumb.

    Dante’s gaze was sharp and filled with heat. His lips slightly parted, his breathing coming a little too fast, as he slid an arm around Tani’s waist and pulled him closer. Closer still until their chests touched. Tani’s breath came in shaky breaths as he brought his arms around Dante’s shoulders. Dante held him tighter, turning to pin Tani against the trunk of the closest apple tree. His big body pressed against Tani in full possessive ownership.

    Tani’s breath snagged as his cock filled with need, arousal engulfing him in a hot cloud. Dante took advantage of his parted lips and set his mouth to his again. His kiss was ravaging. Tani’s blood surged in response, his body molding to Dante. He tightened his arms around Dante, savoring his taste, hot, wild, and utterly uncivilized. Their shared heat was so familiar it brought the sting of tears to Tani’s eyes.

    Dante pressed him harder against the apple tree, his hands moving over Tani’s body, stroking down Tani’s back, cupping his bottom, and grinding his swollen cock against him. Long fingers slipped between them, feeling Tani’s hard length through his trousers. Tani let out an aroused moan, his fingers digging into Dante’s hair in response. He undid the rubber band Dante used to hold his hair and sunk his fingers into the soft tresses, holding on, making Dante moan.

    Dante pressed his palm on Tani’s hard length, his touch bold, sensual. Tani had seconds of warning; his hard cock pulsed so hard, he feared he might disgrace himself from the sensation. Then Dante stroked his palm over him and Tani forgot modesty. An intense orgasm built up inside him and fractured into a million pieces leaving him shaking. Tani let out a hoarse moan, arching into Dante’s caress at a loss.

    Dante took in his moans with a sweet kiss, and a soft sob escaped when Dante wrapped a secure arm around him to keep him steady. Holding him tight through his weakening ecstasy. Their kiss broke and Tani buried his face into Dante’s shoulder, closing his eyes as his breath came too fast trying to find his balance again. He clung to Dante’s shoulders afraid he was going to melt to the ground.

    Dante buried his nose into Tani’s right shoulder and breathed him in. He pressed his lips on the soft curve of Tani’s shoulder, sucking on sensitive skin, and then licked at the spot with hot intimacy.

    Tani trembled.

    “This is my answer,” Dante murmured into his ear after a while. His hot breath sent maddening electric tingles racing down Tani’s spine. “I want you. All of you. Every part of you. I don’t want to wait. Let’s make love, Tani.”

    Tani held on to Dante, elated. He opened his eyes and stared at the rows of apple trees closest to them. They were filled with blooming white flowers, even the ones that had none before were now heavy with them. He grinned and decided to hide this strange happenstance of his ecstasy from Dante, for the moment anyway.

    “Let’s go inside,” Tani murmured.

    “Mm,” Dante agreed.

    Tani held onto Dante and teleported them straight to the bathroom. His cheeks flushed with color when Dante cupped his face and tilted his head up.

    “You’re gorgeous,” Dante murmured, studying Tani’s face. His thumb stroked Tani’s right cheek, the pad of his thumb shifting to trace over Tani’s bottom lip.

    “I’ve wanted to see you this way for a while,” Dante said.

    “Messy because you drove me to the brink with a simple touch?” Tani asked, his cheeks flaming, somewhat mortified by his swift orgasm in the orchard. He had thought he had more control. Turns out Dante could drive him to the edge with a simple kiss.

    “Wanting me,” Dante corrected, taking Tani’s lips in a soft kiss. Then he murmured against Tani’s lips, “as much as I want you. There’s nothing messy about our passion. It’s how it should be.”

    Dante kissed him again and then helped Tani out of his clothes. His hands were gentle as he helped Tani pull off his t-shirt. Dante dropped it to the floor with a small smile. His gaze was appreciative as he took in Tani’s figure. His fingers were sure when they reached for Tani’s trousers. He unbuttoned them with a single flick of his fingers. Tani held Dante’s gaze as Dante pulled down the zipper and Tani’s trousers dropped to the floor. Tani stepped out of them and closed his eyes when Dante reached for his dark underwear. His fingers warm against Tani’s skin.

    Dante took Tani’s lips in a short sweet kiss, as he pushed his messy boxer briefs down.

    Then, Tani stood naked before Dante.

    Dante looked at him, his gaze heated as it traveled down from his shoulders, down his chest, to his stomach then to his aching cock. Tani fought the urge to step back as he faced his beloved for the first time in decades. With no clothes to shield him, and no lies between them, Tani decided to take off the glamour that hid his origins. His eyes took on the distinctive fox clan slits. Kinon’s cuffs on his wrists restored to their true form, heavy and punishing on his wrists.

    Tani met Dante’s gaze.

    “This is my true self,” Tani murmured, his voice shaking, vulnerable.

    Dante took a step closer. He placed his hands on Tani’s bare shoulders. His fingers started a slow gentle caress down Tani’s arms. He held Tani’s gaze as his fingers wrapped around Tani’s wrists, holding the gold cuffs that marked him a deviant. He lifted Tani’s right hand to his lips and pressed his lips to the cool gold metal.

    Dante then brought Tani’s hand to his left cheek and Tani straightened his fingers to cup Dante’s cheek.

    “What?” Tani asked.

    “I think you’re expecting that I’ll turn away from you. You show me your cuffs, your eyes, wanting me to cringe and run,” Dante said, shaking his head. He took Tani’s hands and brought them to his chest and the buttons of his white linen shirt. “I won’t, Tani. You’re stuck with me now, no matter what we face in the future.”

    Tani sucked in air at the mention of the future. He thought about Cale’s warning. The idea that someone took Dante’s life when they parted filled his head. Panic had him dropping his gaze to the buttons on Dante’s shirt. The longer he spent with Dante, the more he wished Cale were wrong. The more he wanted to know what a future with Dante looked like. The future he never once experienced in Dante’s company, he wanted to know it.

    Tani undid the first button of Dante’s shirt and looked up to find Dante studying him.

    Their future seemed far away and unsolvable, but the now was here. Tani decided he would lose himself in their shared bliss.

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