Inca 2: Scourge of the Sun 8

[ismenin]

Inca Pachacutec from my Computer Shelf!

Hello! Damp, cold and dull - and that's only the weather! Not moi, cos I'm as chipper as a monkey. :D

Now, being as my living room is filled with detritus from the pantry and my bedroom full of stuff from the landing cupboard, one could say there was a bit of a mess, here! (Massive understatement)

But, nevertheless, here is part 8 of my story, which I hope will leave some of you feeling better, and some of you feeling hot! Giggles.





Thanks to Lady Sunrope for her beta and comments, as always.


Part 8 - Unfoldings


Lizhe touched Dom's cheek again. "Yes, I am a fool - you are not alone in this. Nor are you wrong in your suppositions, for I see in your face that you have guessed it at last."

"It is true - Amaru's brother was the traitor Tupac."



Dom closed his eyes. "Tupac!" he whispered in horror. Was this why he felt so uncomfortable in Amaru's presence? The shade of the man who would have murdered both of them had resurfaced after four years of peace, to haunt him again.

He felt the flutter of Lizhe's lips on his, and opened his eyes to see his lover gaze at him, his hand resting on Dom's head.

"My love, my love. I hope I can make you see. Dom... I have been so frightened, felt so alone...I..."

Dom was shocked to the core. Lizhe had given no inkling that he felt so. He was as self-assured as he always was, calm and confident. Why had he not shared his feelings? Surely, loving each other as they did would mean that Lizhe could confide in him?

"Lizhe..." Dom began, but the Inca pressed his finger on Dom's lips, silencing him.

"Let me say it, Dom. Let me...Oh, Madre de Dios!.." his voiced cracked, and Dom took his lover in his arms and held him for a moment whilst he trembled.

"A God has no-one, Dom," whispered Lizhe, almost divining his partner's thoughts. "Except other Gods, and they do not always give easy answers."

With a great effort Dom remained silent, although the urge to tell Lizhe what his cousin had revealed concerning Qoylurani was almost overpowering. He just held Lizhe and allowed him to speak. He was beginning to understand why Lizhe had behaved so with Amaru the night before. He ...the big, confident, handsome man... made Lizhe feel safe - a reminder of his childhood.

"I love you, Dom, far above the love I have for any mortal man, but how could I reveal to you that I...God...was afraid? It was not seemly. Not would it have helped our journey if the others knew of it. But I am afraid, mi corazon, for I cannot see the end, and the Gods will not reveal it to me. So ...I clung to Amaru as I did when I was a lad, when I was unsure of myself, or my place in the universe."

Here Lizhe's voice changed again - became even softer. "I am sorry. I expected you to know this without being told it, and I was angered by your jealousy. I have never given you cause to be jealous...any cause to think that I would lie with any man since we returned from the Mountain. Have I, my love?"

Dom quickly shook his head. He felt miserable at Lizhe's distress even though it was he who had been beaten, he whose body was on fire with pain. Somehow, he felt - he knew not why - that Lizhe's mental anguish was greater than his physical discomfort.

"You have not, Lizhe. I have always known I could trust your word, and when we pledged our oath to each other when we were alone in that cave, I knew I could trust you never to break it. I am sorry, Lizhe. It was not you I mistrusted, but Amaru. He seems...enamoured of you. It is plain he adores you."

Lizhe rested his head on Dom's shoulder, and was silent for a moment. "It is true, he desires me. He has always wanted me. He and Tupac fought over me - although I did not know of it, then - and when Tupac...won...I swore an oath to him, by my Godhood, that I would never take Amaru. And so it has been, Dom. Even now, when Tupac is melted into the dust of the earth, I will not break either my vow to you, or to him."

Dom took a deep breath, and steeled himself to hear the answer to the question he knew he must ask. "Do you wish to, Lizhe? Do you want Amaru?"

Lizhe remained silent for a moment. "If things had been different, I would have taken him, yes. But things are not different, Dom, and I have given you my pledge. Do you doubt me?"

Dom shook his head again. "I do not doubt you, my one and only love. Forgive my stupidity. It is in me to be a jealous man."

Lizhe laughed shakily. "This I know. Come, let me anoint your hurts, for they must pain you."

Dom smiled wryly. "They do." He turned over on the bedding and felt Lizhe's gentle hand brush lightly over the stinging welts, the unguent running down his legs in the evening warmth.

As Lizhe's fingers smoothed in the comforting oil, Dom was amazed to feel, despite the pain, that he was quickly becoming aroused at Lizhe's touch, and that the oil, although burning him slightly, was reminding him of its other uses.

Lizhe was murmuring softly to Dom, telling him that when he was recovered, they could make love in this safe place, far away from prying eyes...

Dom groaned. "Lizhe...Dios, Lizhe..."

Lizhe stopped abruptly. "Do I hurt you?" he asked, removing his hand from Dom's heated flesh.

Dom breathed in, desperately trying to contain himself. "Yes, you hurt me - but it is a beautiful hurt. I wish it had been you who had caused me these injuries, Lizhe, for then my desire to have you inside me would be ten times greater than it is, and it is already very..."

He paused, an idea, blinding in its intensity, breaking in on his mind. "Lizhe, strike me hard with your hand on those welts."

Lizhe hesitated only for a moment, then his hand came down with a crack.

Dom cried out, but it was a joyous sound. "Again!" and after the next blow, "again!"

He turned over and Lizhe could see his lover was fully aroused.

"Lizhe...please..."

It was all Lizhe needed. With a low cry he parted Dom's legs with his knee and quickly anointed himself with the oil.

Dom's breathing must have told Lizhe all he desired to know, as he swiftly bent and kissed his love on the lips. Dom groaned, helpless with need, into his lover's mouth.

They kissed and it was as much a pleasure to Dom as it had been in the beginning when he first tasted Lizhe's lips. His fingers trembled as he ran them over Lizhe's body, feeling the fine muscles underneath the flawless skin contract with desire.

"My love, my dear love!" Lizhe murmured as he moved to suckle Dom’s nipples, biting down gently at first, then more fiercely as Dom writhed with need under him.

Groaning, Lizhe lifted Dom's body and Dom felt the burning heat of his abused flesh cool slightly against Lizhe's naked thighs. Dom wrapped his legs around Lizhe's waist and whimpered - short, incoherent, desperate cries - as he was incapable of making any other sound, his hands clutching fast to Lizhe as if he would never let him go.

Dom, feeling Lizhe’s hands caressing his hurts as he entered him, drew such cries of desire and pain that he felt Lizhe harden within him. The Inca thrust into Dom's body, making little sound except for the harsh, sobbing breath that came from his throat as he moved.

Dom's voice rose to a scream as he came. Never had he felt such ecstasy as in that moment. His flesh was aflame and his mind a white haze of pain and joy. It was too much to be borne, and his mind closed in on him. When he came to himself it was to find that he was cradled in Lizhe's trembling arms, and Lizhe was kissing his face, tears running freely down his cheeks.

"My Dom, Dom, my only love!"

Dom thought he murmured something in reply; he could not be sure. He was exhausted, every fibre in his abused body was tingling, so he did not try to speak, but listened to Lizhe express his love for him, and was content. As he fell asleep, it was in the certain knowledge that he was with the only person in the world who made him feel whole - and the need to protect that person was all that mattered, now and always.

******

He was awakened, shortly after dawn to the sound of running feet, and a scuffling nearby, then he felt a pair of cool feet press against his legs and a furry bundle crawl into the warmth in his armpit. Dom opened one eye - it was Kon and his pet cuy.

Lizhe woke at the same moment and cast a wry grin at Dom across the boy lying between them. Then Dom realised that Kon was shivering and that his breath was drawn in desperate sobs.

Lizhe called the boy's name softly, putting his hand on the boy's back and rubbing it. "What is it, Kon?"

Dom knew the boy was a little past nine years old, but the loss of his mother and the terror of recent happenings had had their impact on the lad.

"We are safe here, Lizhe, are we not? Me and Pima?" The boy's voice was smothered by the blankets but Dom could still hear the panic in it.

"You are safe," Lizhe confirmed, no longer grinning. "No-one dare assail God in his bed, until he calls."

The boy drew in a shocked breath as if only just remembering who Lizhe was, and quickly scrambled out of the bedding and knelt, still pitifully trembling, by Lizhe's side.

The cuy was clutched to his chest, and lay there, quite contentedly, being freed from the tangled bedding.

"If you want her, Lord, then she is yours," said the young, high-pitched voice, on a sob, "but I did not think you would eat her..."

Dom could hear muffled voices coming from outside the room - urgent voices, one of them he recognised - Kon's father, Maita. Then Maita spoke softly, but clearly, and it was plain that the man was terrified for his son, who had burst uninvited into the Inca's room.

"Come away, Kon, I beg you, before you wake God to further anger..."

Lizhe's voice warmed the morning air. "God is awake, Maita, and not angered. Kon will remain with us a moment longer, until it should please us that he leave. Go and break your fast. God gives you leave."

The murmuring voices were silenced, and soon it was clear that whoever had been gathered outside the door with Kon's father had left.

Lizhe rose mother-naked from his bed, and swiftly striding to the wash bowl resting on a chest by the wall, made a swift toilet and threw on a fresh tunic that he found there. Then he came back to Kon, and kneeling beside the stricken boy, took his free hand and asked in a low voice, "what has troubled you that you are so frightened?"

Kon dared to raise his eyes to the Inca's face. "The cooks...the Auqui Amaru's two cooks...wanted to kill Pima to prepare for your morning meal. They said she was the finest cuy they had ever seen, her fur so white and she is fat, they said - fit meat for a God. But...I couldn't give her up...I...Pima...she is mine, I didn't want her eaten. She is all I have in the world except my Tayta."

Dom raised himself on his elbow and looked at the boy. There were tears in his eyes as he clutched his pet to his chest with his one free hand. Lizhe took the cuy from him and handed her to Dom, then took the lad in his arms and held him as he wept. They were not the tears of a child, but the raw sounds of a man come too early to the knowledge of how other men could be, and they tore at his chest as they broke free.

Lizhe held him and whispered in his ear, his hands rubbing the boy's thin back, and soon the noises stopped and Kon wiped his face with his hands, and gave Lizhe a watery smile.

Lizhe returned the smile, and went to the doorway and called. Two men appeared, obviously men of standing, for they were richly dressed. They crouched in the doorway awaiting God's word. They were to receive it.

"The boy and his cuy are to be allowed the freedom of the island unmolested. This cuyis under God's protection, and the man who interferes with it, or the lad in any way will suffer his strongest displeasure. Is it understood?"

"Yes, Great God!" came the muffled voices of the men.

"Then see all know of God's word. God gives you leave."

The men hastily withdrew and Lizhe smiled at Kon again. "Take Pima, and give her some food - and eat some yourself, you are as thin as a reed. And, Kon...I would try not to mention your cuy’s name to ...Father Guilliermo, if I were you. Go, now, we will see you later this morning."

After the boy had left them, Dom could not help laughing, though his injuries pained him a great deal after last night's love-making. "Sangre de Dios! The Auqui William would not be pleased to find the creature bears his wife's name - you are right!"

There was a slight cough from the doorway, and Dom grimaced, for he knew well that sound. Then a quiet voice, not untinged with mirth, came in at them. "The Auqui William is quite conversant with the creatures name, I thank you, Dom Huascar. Lizhe, may I come in?"

"Indeed, Will,enter. You may hand Dom the pot as you do, for I doubt he has the strength himself!" Lizhe laughed, as he called from the doorway for fresh water and cloths and food. "...And, no cuy if you please," he said to the top of the kneeling servant's head, "God does not desire meat at this hour. Do you wish for some, Dom Huascar?"

Dom shook his head, repressing a laugh. "Just some fruit and a little cheese, if there is any," he managed, struggling to kneel as Will held the pot for him. Lizhe came swiftly to Dom's side and helped him, and afterwards Will looked at Dom's stripes and winced. "Yon Amaru had a heavy hand, Dom. I daresay ye'll be feeling those fer a few days yet."

In the bright daylight the bruises and weals stood out stark against Dom's pale skin, and Lizhe ran his fingers lightly over them. "I will oil them again before we eat, then you may rest, my love. I will not allow you to rise from bed today."

When it came, he brought the warm water to Dom and washed and oiled him quickly and efficiently whilst Will handed him the needful things. Soon Dom, propped on his side upon folded blankets was eased and ready to eat his morning meal.

He thoroughly enjoyed the sun-warmed tomatoes and cheeses, together with fruits and chicha, and was half way through his second small, creamy cheese when he noticed that, contrary to expectations, it was Lizhe who, after tasting a little of the cheese and half a tomato, ate no more.

Will cast an expressive look at Dom as he tipped his head towards Lizhe, but said nothing. Dom did not know whether he should remark upon Lizhe's lack of appetite before Will, and decided he would leave it until they were alone.

Dom had just swallowed the last mouthful of his cheese when he saw Amaru kneeling in the doorway. "May I enter, Great God?" he asked quietly. Dom was surprised when Lizhe looked at him for permission. He nodded, gravely. There was no point in harbouring a grudge. Lizhe had handed Amaru the stick, after all, and ordered him to execute punishment. It was not the man's fault.

Amaru came slowly in and knelt beside Dom. "I have brought you some mate laced with a palliative that I brought with me from Cuzco. There is nothing resembling it on the island, for I have looked. If you would deign to drink it, Auqui, I am sure it will help you."

Dom stared at the man as he took the cup with a word of thanks, and sniffed tentatively at its contents - but it smelled just like mate, so he drank it down. The thought that it might be poisoned flitted through his mind until he realised what Lizhe would do to the man who killed his soul. He smiled as he handed back the cup.

"Thank you, Auqui - I am deeply thankful." Their conversation seemed formal, but Dom was not sure what this man thought of him - besides being resentful that Lizhe had chosen Dom above himself.

Lizhe too, smiled at the man. "Is that the potion you gave to my father when he lay dying, Amaru? It relieved his pain a great deal. I remember he died in peace. We were grateful for it."

Amaru put the cup down, and nodded. "It is, Lord. There is not much of it left, now, for the powder was given me by my father before he left for the mountains to live a hermit's life. I was glad to hear he had helped to save your life. He was a good man, underneath it all."

No mention, Dom noted, was made of Tupac - which was just as well. None of them needed reminding of him.

Lizhe told Amaru of Will and Dom's strength and ingenuity in saving him, and Dom was glad to see the big man's face soften towards them both.

After a while Lizhe said, "I must go for a while, Dom - I have messages to send to outlying posts to warn them of the Spaniards - and one to Ixtil to tell Villac where we are, and to let our families know we are safe. How many of the red and gold quipu strings do you have left?

Dom thought. "Not above a dozen, Lizhe - and Maita has one, as we know. Mine are in my pack. Do you wish Will to fetch them for you?"

Will stood and waited as Lizhe thought. "Yes, and bring all the others, too, Will. We can incorporate them in with the royal ones to make the messages longer. We can knot the one to Villac in the old language so no-one will understand it but he. Bring them to the hall, and do you, Amaru, assemble the chasqui - I think you said there were six here? And send for Maita, too. He is a quipu-camayoc - he can help with the knotting."

Lizhe saw the two men leave and quickly kissed Dom. "I must go, my love. Try to sleep. I see your eyelids drooping - that potion of Amaru's is very potent. Rest now." He was gone before Dom could answer. Dom closed his eyes and settled into sleep.

He was woken, some time later by murmuring voices. He did not move, for he was hard put to open his eyes, the powerful drug he had taken still working on his mind and body.

Then he recognised that the voices were Lizhe and Will's.

"He is a proud, stiff-necked loon, Lizhe, and that's the truth of it. He knew fine when he decided to come into y'r bed what it would mean for him. He knew who ye were - and that your laws are the same, in essence as in his own land. In Spain, y' impugn God at y'r peril - I'm sure Manuel told ye that, if Dom didnae. Why he should find it so difficult tae do here what he has been doing in Spain for the past thirty years beats me hollow!"

Lizhe sighed softly. "But was he ever in love in Spain, Will? I am sorry, I did not mean to make light of what you felt for each other in times past - but was it ever love?For I have no doubt he loves me."

There was a pause. "No, Lizhe, it wasnae love. There was passion and desire and great fondness between us, but it wasnae love. That is what I feel now for my Pima and our bairns.”

“He loves you with all his heart an' soul, and that love is greater than himself, and it threatens tae burst out now, and kill us all. Can ye mak' him understand that? I am weary of tellin' him. He promises tae change, and then, the next time he gets jealous of ye, out it all comes again. I tell ye, Lizhe, I ken full well that if any other man had said and done the things he has ventured wi' ye, y'd have had him thrown frae the Rock. Is it not true?"

Very quietly. "Yes, Will. You are right. You know how much I love him - I would give my life to save his. I allow him licence in private that I would allow no other man or woman - not even my wives address me as he does, by my name. It is not permitted. I permit you to do it, for you saved my life, and, also...I like it very much that you think of me as a man. There are very few I may count as my friends, as I do you..." - there was a long pause -"...and who are not afraid of me, as you are not afraid."

Will gave a wry chuckle. "But I am not sae daft a bugger as t' anger ye, Lizhe, like yon buffle-heided gowk, I call him this even though he is the best friend I ever had."

Dom felt someone come towards him, then felt Lizhe's cool hand on his brow, and the blanket was lifted and more ointment spread on him. Dom tried not to wince, as he was supposed to be asleep. Then he felt a brief caress on his cheek, and heard Lizhe move away again.

"Yon Amaru gave him a guid thrashing, Lizhe. He beat him too fiercely. I think, in his ane way, Amaru is as jealous of Dom as Dom is of him. Those blows fell hard, too hard."

Lizhe's voice was small and tight. "I know it - but there was nothing I could do, Will. He called him a "great ox" - whatever it is, I do not think it was meant as a compliment - and intimated that Amaru had been more to me than a friend, which is blasphemy. It could not be allowed to pass. You heard him - was I too hard on him, Will?"

"No, ye were not. That is nae way t' talk to a God-King. It isna. He needs t' control himsel'. We will have t' teach him, for no-one else will. Rimac is too fond of him t' correct him, and I wouldna allow Amaru near him with a stick again, if I were you, my friend."

Lizhe laughed softly. "Let us leave him for a while to rest, and go to find something to eat. All that knotting and ordering and directing has made me hungry. Come, Will - I might even let you feed me, and that would really put Amaru in his place..."

The two men left the room, laughing, and as their voices trailed away, and Dom was sure they had gone, he turned, wincing, onto his other side, and thought carefully on what he had heard.

Lizhe loved him, would give his life for him, and Will still called himself his friend whilst admitting Dom could be the death of them all.

Dom made a silent vow. One he swore by everything he held dear - and nothing, or no-one, whatever the provocation, would ever make him break it.

He would rather face death than prove to be a risk to his love or his friends. They would need protection, and if needs be, his life would be that protection.

Comments

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

Oh, wonderful, loving chapter. They really are so perfect together. And it was good that Dom overheard Will and Lizhe talking. It might get through that proud, stubborn head of his, where everything else failed. And he did make a vow. Can't wait to find out what happens next.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thanks love. They do loveeach other so much. Dom, by rights, should be dead several times over. He's a bad boy, but loving! xxx