Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:39:05 -0800 (PST)
From: Shannon Bozarth <pon_farr07@yahoo.com>
Subject: Going for Bronze Part 2

Disclaimer: This work is fiction, featuring a same-sex relationship between
two consenting adult males.  If you are under the age of 18, or if it is
illegal to view/read this in the city/state/country in which you live,
please do not continue reading.  The characters, locations and plots
contained herein are strictly fictional, and no relationship to any actual
person, place or thing is implied or intended.  This work is from my
imagination, and no one may re-use/reproduce/re-post it without my consent.
Feedback is welcome at pon_farr07@yahoo.com.


	I awoke many hours later to a rather loud commotion coming from the
deck over my head.  Groggily I stumbled toward the door, not realizing that
I still had no clothes on from my swim to the dragon's lair and back.
Throwing open my cabin door, the commotion assaulted me with its ferocity,
and the sound of all hands on deck running my direction had me overly
concerned something terrible was happening.

	Kradyn's voice, loud and booming and full of commanding authority,
reached my ears.  "Everyone stay back.  He means no harms."  As I made it
to the stairs leading to the helm, he said, "Anyone doing any harm to him
will answer directly to me!"

	With that threat looming over their heads, all the men stopped dead
in their tracks and turned to me.  Being captain had just turned
interesting.  I made my way up the stairs, noting that Kradyn was talking
to a small bronze dragon that had perched on the rail at the aft of the
ship.  Of course, small was a relative term, in that the dragon was bigger
than a horse and carriage together, and had jaws big enough to swallow any
man on my crew without hitting a tooth.

	"Kradyn, what's going on?"  I asked, as I slowly approached.

	The dragon turned it's head toward me, appraising me and my
movements.  Obviously it felt that I offered no threat because it turned
back to Kradyn, who looked at me.  "This is Rofek, and he is assisting me
with researching cures for your sister.  He has just flown back from Nwansk
with a report on her condition."

	I smiled at the gorgeous man standing before me, feeling my heart
swell with the knowledge that he had gone to such lengths to aid my family
and me.  "What has he discovered?"

	"I can talk, you know."  Rofek looked at me, a none-too-happy look
on his face.  "Humans are so arrogant.  How can you stand being around them
so often?  I feel like roasting him alive and having a snack."

	Kradyn laughed.  I failed to see the humor in what the dragon had
said, but I remembered what Kradyn had said about dragons' senses of humor.
"Now, Rofek.  I'm sure that Ruldaan meant no disrespect.  He's just not
used to dragons the way that I am."

	Rofek grumbled, sneered at me, and then pushed himself into the air
and flew quickly off to the horizon.  I exhaled loudly and turned back to
my crew.  "Ok, everyone stand down.  Return to your duties."  There were
many grumbles and not a few evil eyes cast in Kradyn's direction, but he
ignored them, and the men slowly went about their business.  "So what news
did Rofek have of my sister?" I asked, turning back to Kradyn.

	"Why don't we discuss that in your cabin?  Besides," he said,
stepping up to me and brushing his thigh against my exposed penis, "I think
you could do with a proper dressing."

	I looked down, only now realizing that I had been nude the entire
time.  Kradyn laughed at my discomfort and as my whole body turned red with
embarrassment.  I made a hasty retreat to my cabin, the gorgeous scholar
following and laughing the entire way.

	Kradyn eyed me lustfully as I quickly pulled on a pair of breeches.
"A pity," he muttered, shaking his head.  "Anyway, as I was saying," and he
cleared his throat, "Rofek has been helping me with research."

	"How long have I been asleep?"

	"A few days."  Kradyn smiled at my astonished gasp.  "I had Mervlyn
give you a sleeping draught to make sure that you were properly rested from
your nasty near-death experience.  But, as I was saying, Rofek has just
returned from Nwansk, and this malady is unlike anything he has seen
before.  He believes that it is magical, not biological."

	The words slowly sunk into my skull.  "Someone did this...on
purpose?"

	Kradyn gave me a heart-felt look of sadness.  "It would appear so.
And, please forgive my saying this, but I find it hard to believe that you
are so astonished...Your Majesty."

	"Ah, so now you know."  I smiled weakly as Kradyn smiled.  "It's
not like I was keeping it from you.  Hell, we only met a few days ago.
But, you're right, I guess I shouldn't be that surprised.  Genev has been
betrothed to Prince Zadron of Feldrick since her birth.  Zadron's family
has been friends to my family for only fifty years.  Before that we were
bitter enemies.  This marriage was arranged to cement our bonds of
friendship.  Someone obviously has other plans."

	"Mervlyn had the same thoughts, which is why I had Rofek fly him to
Feldrick so that he could speak to Prince Zadron on your behalf.  I hope
you don't mind.  He said he is your advisor."

	"Indeed, it is fine.  That will save time."  I walked to the table
and poured myself a cup of ale from the pitcher sitting atop the surface.
I took a quick drink, finishing off the contents and poured another.  "Does
Rofek know of a counter-spell?"
	"I'm afraid not."  Kradyn reached out, snatching the cup from me
and downing the contents.  "I have asked him to make haste to the Great
Library at Elemkur.  The High Wizard of the Moon is a long-time friend of
mine.  He will find the answer, or else it can't be found."

	I nodded my head.  "Thank you, Kradyn.  You have done so much for
me.  I don't know how I could ever thank you."

	He walked over, stopping in front of me and setting the cup on the
table.  He looked up, staring into my eyes.  "I can think of a very good
way.  Your Majesty."

	For some reason I blushed.  "You don't have to refer to me that
way.  We are--I hope--friends.  You may call me Ruldaan."

	Slowly Kradyn lifted his hand to my face, gently tracing his
fingers along my cheek and jaw.  The touch was so slight that it sent
shivers through my spine.  A smile tug up the corners of his mouth.

	"You are so beautiful," he whispered.  "Your eyes shine like
pearls."

	His fingers moved slowly back up my jaw and then traced along first
one eyebrow and then the other.  The whole time I stared at him, feeling
the heat of his presence.  Wanting so badly to touch, I forced that desire
down, teasing myself and dragging out the sense of eroticism I felt from
denying myself the feel of his flesh beneath my hands.

	Bringing his other hand up, Kradyn held my head between his
silky-soft palms and slowly moved his lips to mine.  The smell of the ocean
overwhelmed me as his lips lightly brushed mine, moving slightly side to
side.  Fire and ice ran through my veins.  I shuddered and gasped and felt
myself sagging into the gorgeous man's arms.  He caught me, pulling me to
him, crushing me to his chest as his lips met mine in an explosion of
passion and built-up desire.  His tongue forced itself into my mouth as I
wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him fiercely to me.  We kissed for
what seemed an eternity, and then he quickly released me.  Before I could
open my eyes, I felt his hands at the ties to my breeches, and then he was
tugging them over my hips, letting them fall to the floor.  My erection
slapped against my stomach before he grabbed it, falling to his knees and
swallowing me to the base in one breath.  I felt his nose brush against me
as his hands grabbed my ass.  A finger roughly shoved into my crevice,
finding the tight ring of my sphincter.

	I gasped, reaching back and grabbing his hands.  "No, you mustn't,"
I cried.  I jerked back from him, pulling my cock from his throat.  "You
can't do that.  Please."

	He looked at me, puzzled.  "I am sorry, Ruldaan.  I thought that
you wanted--"

	I pulled him to his feet, staring into his eyes as I place my hands
on his chest.  "I do, Kradyn.  I want you more than you can possibly know,
but I cannot have you in that way.  It is...complicated."

	Kradyn placed his hands atop mine.  "As you wish, my king."  He
winked when he said that, and I relaxed.  "Can you explain?"

	"I want to.  Really I do, but I cannot.  As I said, it's--"

	"Complicated.  I heard."  Kradyn kissed me, and then he stepped
back.  "I apologize for my actions.  I shall endeavor to comport myself as
a gentleman in the future."

	Before I could say another word, he walked out of my cabin, gently
closing the door behind him.  Who says it's good to be the king?