Dark Game

 

The wait was not long, as such things go. Occasionally Random would hear soft feminine squeals and masculine groans. Then a muffled scream as if a hand had been placed firmly over the screamer's mouth and a loud grunt. He brought himself out of the reverie he had permitted himself to fall into and walked over to the ale pitcher he had found on a bench. He looked speculatively at the door.

Yes, it was not long before it opened and a sheepish Anders emerged, his hair loose and his robe disheveled. He looked at Random and said, "I rather hoped that you would not be here, but I suspected you would be. Would you like to leave now, my liege? I have, as always, followed your orders to the letter."

Random got up and approached him. Anders was still standing half in the doorway when Random reached him and reached out for him. He took him in his arms, kissing him passionately, deeply, while his left hand wandered down to lovingly stroke the limp member through the robes.

All of this was clearly visible to T'herendalin and she gasped, clutching the bedclothes to her bare breast. She had not expected this. Not this of all things. As a Crow she had, of course, known both men and women in all combinations, but Anders had seemed, well so much a woman's man. And the intensity of that kiss. It made her catch her breath wistfully. Not that Anders had not always been good with her. More than good. But this was something different entirely and there was a longing in her gaze as she watched them.

Random suddenly released Anders, causing the mage to stumble back a step, turned, and walked to the door, Anders scrambling after, quietly closing the door behind him. Ah well, T'herendalin thought, at least she would have good dreams. But not yet.

T'herendalin was not so easily bested and it was clear to her that Random had thrown down a gauntlet. Anders was his, he had said in all but words, and she would have use of the mage only at his pleasure.

Where Anders will fit into all this she couldn't imagine, but she felt she knew him well enough to believe that he was more than a pawn. Perhaps the powerful knight poised between the king and the queen. It was time to construct her battle plans.