Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2005 05:57:55 -0800 (PST)
From: JMH <trandar2002@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: The Guild chp #34

Well only two more chps till the end.  Enjoy.

				    JMH

trandar2002@yahoo.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/adultwritingworkshop/

***********************************************************************

Night had fallen on the Guild Palace and as Joshua still had not
returned, Gerick and Falcon went looking for him... finding him in the
center of a hedge maze, his pale limbs entangled around Clive's.

"Look at them, Falcon... see the peaceful smiles on their faces... smell
their essence in the air."

Falcon took in a deep breath and nodded his head.

Going down on his knees, Gerick stroked Joshua's wavy brown hair.  "Why
can't Joshua be so free with his love when it comes to me?"

"He is scared of you," Falcon replied flatly.

"But he knows I would never harm him," Gerick protested.

"Yes he knows that... but he has seen what you have done to his
friends."

"Such as you, my lovely Falcon."

"Yes... such as myself," Falcon said as he looked at the ruptured veins
in his arm.

"You love your son... don't you?"

"More than anything."

"And Joshua loves you?"

"He does."

"Of course he does... you would not have been able to return Joshua back
to his body if he did not love you."  Gerick grinned as he waved Falcon
closer to him.

Joining Gerick on the cool grass next to the sleeping youths, Falcon felt
the power radiating from Gerick... the terrible power Joshua was so afraid
would consume him.  "I see you can feel it... you can feel the power of
a Prelate."

"Yes..." Falcon sighed... lusting after the power of Gerick's will.

Gerick reached into Falcon's pants and took hold of the other man's
sex.  "You want it, don't you... you think all your problems would go
away if you were only stronger."

Falcon let out a deep moan.  "Yes."

"What if I were to tell you I was willing to share my power with you...
make you my equal."

"I would say there has to be a catch."  Falcon grunted as a long finger
slipped inside him.

"And there is one," Gerick said as he wiggled the digit.

"Tell me!" Falcon moaned.

"I merge my soul with yours."

"No... that is an abomination!"

"It is either you or Joshua," Gerick said as he pushed in another
finger.

"You would not dare... you are too strong for Joshua.  Merging with him
would drive him insane."

"It is a risk I am willing to take if left with no other choice."

"..."

"If there is one thing that has impressed me about you, Falcon, it is
your power.  You must be the strongest Protector in generations.  Now you
tell me... who do you think will be the better vessel for my power... you
or your son?"

"But why... why do you want me."

"You gave me the answer yourself... Joshua loves you.  If the only way
I can experience Joshua's love is through you, then I am willing to live
a shared existence."

"I won't do it."

"Fine... remain a drug addict who is willing to sell his body for a few
precious drops of heroin... it will only kill you in the end.  Then who
would be left to protect Joshua?  Clive?  He is dedicated to Joshua but
against me... he is not even a gnat."

"Damn you, Gerick," Falcon cursed even as his body was sent into
ecstasy as Gerick's fingers pressed against his prostate.

"Give yourself to me, Falcon... it is the only way you can protect your
son."

Falcon felt his resolve weaken.  "No..."

"Do you think you are not strong enough?  When I merge with you, my soul
will be at your mercy... all you have to do is expel me and I will be
destroyed and you, my dear Falcon, will have all the power of my
Prelacy."

Falcon knew he was indeed strong of will... it had been that power by
which he had seduced old king Leopold.  But was he strong enough to not
be possessed by Gerick?  If he failed to expel Gerick from his soul, he
would be doomed to living a shared existence... one body... two souls, each
fighting for dominance.

Falcon felt his back pushed down on the grass, his legs raised up into
the air as Gerick prepared to penetrate him.

"Open yourself up to me, Falcon."

"No," Falcon said even as he felt the door open.

"That's it, Falcon... open up a little wider."  Gerick grinned as he
pushed his sex deep inside Joshua's Protector even as he started to pour
his soul into the other man.

Then by a miracle, Joshua awoke.  "Falcon?"

The door that had been pushed open slammed shut, Falcon diving on top of
Gerick, his hands around the other man's throat.

"Falcon!" Joshua said louder as he started to become aware of what was
happening.

For the next several moments Joshua and Clive watched as Falcon and
Gerick wrestled on the grass, hands choking at the life of both men.  It
was Falcon who ended up on top however, pinning Gerick to the ground.

"Die, die, die!" Falcon shouted as everyone heard the snapping sound of
breaking bone.

"Falcon?" Joshua whispered as he touched his father's shoulder.

Falcon's red eyes were alight with fire.  "Joshua... I..."

"You killed him," Clive said shocked.

"Falcon?" Joshua called out again.

Finally Falcon turned his gaze on his son.  "Joshua?"

Joshua wrapped his arms around his father and began to cry.  The
nightmare was over.  Falcon... his father... had kept his promise by
protecting him.

"It's ok Joshua... It's ok," Falcon cooed as he tried to comfort his
son.

"Are you alright?" Joshua asked as he examined his father for injuries.

"I am more than alright," Falcon chuckled.  "In fact I feel better
than I have in a long time."

Joshua looked into his father's red eyes, love and adoration on his
face.  "I love you, Falcon."

"I love you too."  Falcon nodded as he hugged Joshua close to him.

"So do I," another voice said but from where Falcon could not
determine.  It did not matter, Joshua was safe now... Joshua was his.

********************************************************

"Something has happened, brother,"  Clare said in a soft voice.

"What?"  John jumped on seeing the pale expression on his sister's
face.

"The Brotherhood of Gerick... they are killing each other."

"You can't be serious."

"I am... the fighting started at one of their chapter houses but it has
now spread all over Aquarius.  Things are getting out of control."

Tomorrow had been the day John and the others had been waiting for.  In
orbit around Aquarius were hundreds of recently heavily armed trade
vessels loaded with men and woman dedicated to bring down the Prelate
even at the cost of their own lives.  But now with chaos on his home
world, John was going to make the most difficult decision yet as the
Assemblyman of Aquarius.

"Bring the fleet down and unload the troops.  We need to restore
order."

"But Joshua!" Clare said shocked that her brother would change plans so
quickly.

"The safety of my own people must come first."

"Very well, brother, but may I suggest you tell Vard of your decision
personally."

"You're right... I better," John sighed as he stood up from his desk.

It was not hard for him to find Vard... he was where he always was this
time of day... in the grand hall practicing with his sword.

"You know a gun would be a lot more practical," John chuckled.

"Your guns are for lazy cowards afraid of getting blood on their tidy
uniforms," Vard grunted as his muscular arms swung a heavy two-handed
sword.

John nodded in agreement... if wielding such primitive weapons gave Vard
his chiseled body, then John might make all his soldiers take up the
practice.

"Is there something you wanted to talk to me about?" Vard asked when
John did not leave.

"Yes... but would you mind putting away that weapon of yours?"  If he
was going to give Vard bad news, John did not want the man to be armed.

"Why... you scared?"  Vard laughed, pointing the tip of the blade at
John.

"Just a little."  John nodded, as he felt his forehead perspire.

"You must have bad news then," Vard grunted as he swung the sword into
the stone floor, burying the blade half into it, causing John to jump
with fright.

"Vard, I don't know how to tell you but..."

"But you are going to tell me anyway."

Seeing he could not delay any longer John told Vard the truth.  "I had
to cancel the invasion."

"What?  Why?"  Vard demanded.

"Please don't get angry but I had no choice..."

"You always have a choice!"

"Not when it comes to the lives of my own people!  I am facing a civil
war... the Brotherhood has gone into a killing frenzy."

"One ship John... that's all I need.  One ship to take me back to
Earth!"

"No Vard... and that is not because I can't afford to send one it is
because I will not have you throw away your life."

Vard, out of frustration let out a deep howl before picking up his sword
and hacking away at the stone.

"Vard... please stop," John begged.  "Give me some time.  I only need
to stabilize things here on Aquarius.

"Three weeks," Vard shouted as he broke off another chunk of white
stone.

"Huh?"

"You have three weeks to end the revolt.  Otherwise you give me my
ship... fleet or no fleet."

"Vard..."

Vard let his sword fall out of his hands with a clatter.  "Swear John...
swear you will keep this promise to me!"

"I... I promise," John finally nodded.

"Good... birth kin or no I would have killed had you refused," Vard said
as he pushed his way past the Assemblyman.

For a moment John just stood there stunned... his eyes frozen on the large
gash Vard had made in the floor.  "Joshua... what do you see in this
man," he whispered before returning to his office.

*******************************************************************

Joshua had wanted to leave Earth for Aquarius at once but Falcon had
insisted he remain.  "You are now the government Joshua... the lives of
billons of people now depend on you."

So it was on the third day since Gerick's demise that Joshua was
installed on the Guild Throne... the first counterpart to do so in the
history of humanity.

Joshua had help of course... Falcon was ever by his side, whispering
advice into his ear while Clive began teaching Joshua how to read the
long reports the poured in from every corner of the Assembly of Worlds.

It soon became apparent that humanity was in chaos...with the death of two
Prelates within a year of each other... the Guild looked weak... fragile.
Once loyal worlds that had served the Guild out of fear were now
declaring their independence while the remaining worlds were demanding
greater freedoms.

With the remainder of the Brotherhood stirring up trouble Joshua found
his days filled with war councils, emergency conferences, and talks with
unhappy Assemblymen.  During it all Joshua did his best to express
concern for the problems facing the Guild and no one who heard him talk
left without feeling increased hope in the future.  In truth Joshua had
only one concern... when was Vard going to come back and claim his
position as Prelate.

It had been long day... everyone was exhausted, especially Joshua, who was
weighed down by his new responsibilities.  Falcon was proud of his son,
however... proud how his son gave his all to help the people who looked
toward him for leadership.

Falcon watched his Joshua sleeping Clive hugging his son's body.  Their
clothes were still in place as both had fallen asleep almost as soon as
they touched the bed.

"Beautiful, isn't he."

"Who said that!"  Falcon jumped, spinning around to find the voice's
source.

"Look in the mirror, Falcon."

"But I see no one," Falcon said confused.

"You see yourself, don't you?" the voice laughed.

"Yes."  Falcon nodded.

"Well, I am you... or at least a part of you.  You killed my body before
the transfer was completed."

"Gerick?" Falcon said as he saw his face go pale.

"Oh don't act so surprised, Falcon... why do you think you were able to
break your drug habit... why do you think you have been feeling so good?"

"But I killed you."

"Yes you did... but not before a part of me... as small as it might be,
merged with your soul."

"Then you are not strong enough to take me over," Falcon said
confidently.

"True, but remember it was never me that Joshua feared... but my power,
which you have all of, Prelate Falcon."

"I will never use it the way you did."

"You say that now only because you don't know how strong you really
are.  As the old saying goes... absolute power corrupts absolutely."

"Damn you, Gerick!"

"Curse me all you like.  I have what I always wanted... Joshua's love."

"No you don't... Joshua loves me, not you."

"Have you already forgotten what I told you... I am now a part of you.
Whenever Joshua touches you, I feel it.  When he tells you he loves you,
sending your heart into the clouds... I come along for the ride.  And you
know what the great part is... you dare not tell Joshua the truth lest he
turn you away."  The voice laughed.

"Damn you, Gerick!"

*****************************************************************

With the rays of the morning sun pouring through the bedroom window,
Joshua slowly opened his eyes, finding Clive looking right back at him.

"Morning, beloved."  Clive yawned.

"Morning, beloved," Joshua said as he moved in for a kiss, catching
Clive with his mouth open.

"Mmmmm..." Clive hummed as he sucked on Joshua's long tongue.

"Come on you two... you can't stay in bed all day."  Falcon's voice
interrupted the two men from the chair he was sitting in.

"Come on... we worked our tails off yesterday!" Clive protested.  It had
been over three days since Joshua and he had any time to be intimate with
each other.

"And you will work them off today... and tomorrow.  We have a busy
schedule to keep up.

"Morning, Falcon," Joshua sighed as he moved away from Clive and out of
the bed.

"I'm sorry, Joshua, but civil war has broken out on Thrillo and
Gavlon... the Assemblymen are waiting to meet with you now to ask for your
aid."

"More bad news," Clive sighed as he watched Joshua's shoulders slump.

"There is more... five more worlds have gone dark.  The light of the
Guild extinguished."

"Why am I working so hard to save a way of life no one wants to be
a part of?"

"Plenty of people benefit from the Guild.  It is the people who thirst
for power that are causing all the problems," Falcon said defensively.

"Only because the Guild has not let people live their own lives," Clive
grunted only to receive a hard glare from Falcon.

"Joshua... for thousands of years, the Guild has been the light of the
universe.  It is through the Guild that travel through the Void is
possible.  Without the Guild millions of people would die.  Without the
Guild civilization would end."

"It was the power of the Guild that corrupted Gerick," Joshua pointed
out.  "It was the Guild that killed Thomas, and Brail.  It was the Guild
that brought war to Wor.  It was the Guild that destroyed Vard's home."

"All of those were Gerick's sins.  You will not make the same
mistakes," Falcon said.

"I will not make them because I will not be in a position to.  I want
a ship sent to Aquarius to bring Vard here.  He would know better than
I what to do.  He was a clan chief after all."

"That is why he would not make a good leader,"  Falcon said coldly.

"What?"

"I know you love Vard, Joshua... but he is still a barbarian... raised on
the darkest of dark worlds."

"So I was a slave who grew up in the darkness of the mines."

"But you are willing to take council... Vard is used to being in command
and so will listen to no one."

"He would listen to me," Joshua replied.

"Yes he would."  Falcon nodded.

"So I don't see the problem.  I will advise Vard and you will advise
me."

"Very well," Falcon relented.  "I will see that a ship is sent for him
at once."

"That ship must never land!" the voice shouted in Falcon's head.

"Shut up!" Falcon shouted as he took hold of his head.

"Falcon, are you alright?" Joshua asked concerned.

"Yes... just a headache.  I'll be right back," he excused himself to
the bathroom.

"You can't let Vard come to Earth.  He will take the Guild Throne away
from you... away from us!"

"And he can have it... Joshua was never meant to be the head of the
Guild!" Falcon thought as he splashed cold water on his face.

"But you, Falcon... you were meant to rule.  You have the power of
a Prelate inside you.  Why not use it?"

"No... it would corrupt me till it drives me mad."

"Only if you let it.  I can show you how to control it... if you will let
me."

"No... I don't want you to gain more control of my life."

"But you know I am, Falcon... you can feel it.  I was only a seed to
begin with but now I have sprouted.  Every second that passes  my roots
dig deeper into your soul."

"Stay out of my mind!"

"Falcon?"

"What!" Falcon shouted, turning quickly to see his son standing there.

"I'm sorry... I was just worried about you."

"Forgive me, Joshua... I guess the stress is getting to me."

"Then you should rest," Joshua said.  "I can talk to the Assemblymen
by myself."

"No Joshua... you will need my help."

"Father, you are no good to me in the shape you are in.  Rest... I'll be
fine."

"If only I dare grasp the power," Falcon thought to himself.  "Very
well, son... I will take your advice."  Once he was alone, however,
Falcon found he could not rest for the power called out to him... begging
him to touch it.  "I mustn't... I can't let Gerick win."