Inca 2 : Scourge of the Sun 24

[ismenin]

Inca at the Inti Raymi

Hello! Here I am, after two weeks of intense excitement with my friendies - knackered, but happy. :D

The sun is beautiful today. It came out just in time for me to post this week's part. I thought I'd better put it here before the horde (my grandkids) descend upon me and stop all slashy activity. I can't wait until I can put some premier bonking into this story. The poor lads have had so much to think about lately, there has been no room - or strength - for sexual congress! ;D




As always, grateful thanks to ladysunrope for beta


Part 24 - Punishments


Dom approached the Inquisitor's tent like some dark, avenging angel, his black cloak swirling about him in the morning breeze. It was a warm day, but Dom was acutely aware that he was shivering with distress.

They had agreed upon their story weeks ago, whilst sheltering in a copse from the rain. If Lizhe was captured and revealed as God, the others were to deny any knowledge of it. It was Amaru who had been presented to Dom as the God-King. It was true it did not stand up to close scrutiny, but it was hoped that the Spanish would be too elated at having snared Lizhe to concern themselves over details.

The Inca slaves - about two hundred of them - all knelt in rows before the tent. It was plain they had no idea why they were there. Some were weeping, thinking they were about to be punished and the few children present, held tightly in loving arms, snivelled into their mother's breasts.

There were three thick stakes sticking out of the ground, forming a triangle, and there were ropes tied on two sides. Dom averted his gaze from this contraption and stopped in front of the tent flap. Will and Amaru edged in close to him, giving support with their bodies as well as their hearts.

Someone must have been set to watch for him, for as soon as he settled into his place, a chair was brought for him by one of the Dominicans, and Dom sank gratefully onto it. He ignored the man's unctuous bow, and stared resolutely at the tent.

Idelfonso came out, holding Lizhe by the arm. Dom's eyes did not leave Lizhe from that moment. Lizhe was composed, but seemed distant, as if he were hardly aware of his surroundings.

Thank you, Khuno, for the leaves. May God's blessings fall upon you!

Dom noticed that Lizhe was naked, but that was not held to be unusual amongst the People, who often went unclothed about their daily tasks. It was the rope about Lizhe's neck that riveted Dom's attention. God, roped like a milch cow! Damn them all to the ninth circle of hell! He heard Amaru swear under his breath.

Benigo came out and stood next to Lizhe, grabbing his arm and twisting it hard, to get him to turn to face the People. Lizhe did so, his face not registering any feelings at being so roughly handled. Benigo signalled to Idelfonso, who addressed the assembly.

"We have brought before you today for punishment, your false God, the Inca. There is no God but the one True God. This man is a liar, and a heretic, and banned for ever from the communion of saints, until he repent and claim fellowship with us, the faithful servants of God."

It was unlikely that the People understood half of what Idelfonso said, but one thing they had heard and understood. God was supposed to be amongst them. One brave man stepped forward, shaking his head.

"No, I will not believe it - this man cannot be God. No man can constrain God against his will, and live - it is not possible!"

Idelfonso glanced at Benigo, who nodded. He whispered in Lizhe's ear, then pushed him forward.

Lizhe looked at the man who had dared the question, then at the people for a moment, his eyes soft with love for them, then he spoke. His voice was clear and firm, and was heard by all.

Dom's stomach clenched at the sound of his beloved's voice.

"I am the Inca, the Sapac Intiq Churin, Lord of the Tiwatinsuya, and your God"

Every man and woman present covered their faces and wailed in terror. One of the Dominicans - the one who held the whip - laid it hard upon the weeping people, and soon they were cowed into silent fear. The People knew no man would dare to proclaim himself God if he was not God. The heavens would smite him dead. This was their God standing before them.

Lizhe continued. "I am here because the All-Father, the Holy Viracocha desires it. He has his own purposes, and even I, your God-on-Earth, cannot gainsay them. Therefore, I submit to his will, as you must submit to mine. Let be done what must be done, so that his commands may be fulfilled."

There was no hint of fear in his voice, and Dom, staring blindly at his lover was suddenly aware that Lizhe's gaze had fallen on him. In the priestly tongue Lizhe murmured, "be strong, for me, my soul," and then fell silent.

Dom lifted his chin. He could be strong, if Lizhe was strong. He threw the cloak off his shoulders and stood. "You may begin," he said, raking the Inquisitor with eyes now ice-cold with disdain.


It was Amaru who needed the chair, in the end. Dom stood like a statue as the whip fell, and Lizhe did not cry out, although the Dominican flogger tried hard for it. Only Dom, of those present, knew where Lizhe had gone. He had retreated into the dark recesses of his mind, where no-one else could follow.

The people wept, silently. Having been ordered, on pain of death to watch the punishment, they did so, but if the Inquisitors thought to teach them a lesson by so doing, they were mistaken in its nature, and in the manner of its teaching.

Lizhe bore his punishment in silence, the only sound he made was the sharp exhalation of air from his lungs as the blows fell. The people had, indeed, learned a lesson - it was a lesson in forbearance and dignity - and the man who wielded the whip, hot and sweating in his black robe, dishevelled and red in the face, seemed to them as a feral creature measured beside the bloodied man.

It was Will who called a halt to the proceedings. "Enough!" he shouted, striding forward and snatching the whip from the Dominican's bloody hand. "Ye swore tae Don Cristobal that ye wouldna hurt him over much - stop before I run t' tell him y' have over-reached yersel'es."

Benigo nodded. "It shall be as you say. Tell his Highness that we stopped when asked."

Dom wanted - more than anything he had ever done - to gather Lizhe in his arms, take him to safety, and tend to his hurts. However, it was Will and Amaru who picked Lizhe up and carried him into a tent, and Dom went after them, fury apparent in his flashing eyes, daring the Dominicans to follow.

Two of the Franciscan friars were inside the tent, waiting with bowls and cloths to tend to the whipped man. When they saw Dom, they knelt, and he held out his hand to be kissed, fully aware that any advantage he had over these people should be pursued to its utmost limit.

One of the friars, much younger than the other, kept his head bowed, but when he judged no-one was attending to him, he raised it and looked Dom straight in the eye.

Dom stifled a gasp. It was David. David, the young postulant, never made a priest, who had accompanied him on his fateful visit to the Holy Mountain, and who stayed there for love of the people, and of its God-King.

Will and Amaru were busy placing Lizhe carefully, face down, on the bed and had missed this interchange. Dom saw it was one of the beds from the tent he had shared with Lizhe, and had fresh clean sheets - obviously his father's, by the monogram - and a feather pillow, which Will put on the chair.

"Will, my friend, could I speak with you for a moment, whilst these good brothers tend to our friend? And you, Amaru - if you please..."

He beckoned them outside and walked a few yards away so that the soldiers set as guards would not hear.

"Try not to seem surprised, Will - just nod and look solemn. The gods alone know how he managed it, but David is in that tent. David, our friend from the Holy City, whom God loves," Dom concluded for Amaru's benefit.

Will bent his head. "Cock's bones! How did he...what shall we do?"

Dom clasped his hands. "Nothing. We do nothing until he is able to approach us. Let us go back, I wish to be with Lizhe."

Will put a comforting hand on Dom's arm. "Just ye sit on the chair and watch us work, like the guid high-born cardinal ye are. That will be all you are expected to do. We do not wish them to know y' care for our man. Keep a little apart, in case Idelfonso, or that bastard Benigo, comes in.”

Inside the tent, David was gently washing the blood from Lizhe's back, his face drawn and pale, his lips firmly clamped together. His companion, an old man with a cheerful red face, issued quiet instructions, and watched the young man work.

"Do you sit down, Eminence. David and I will soon have the lad more comfortable. That man of his - old Khuno - has given us some leaves that he says will help him, but the boy won't take them. Are you sure that he is this God-King whom Benigo has been chasing like a rabid ferret since he landed on these shores? He seems very young, to me, for such a calling."

Dom managed a smile. "He is indeed, both God and King of this land, and he is no boy, but a man past thirty."

The Franciscan raised his eyebrows, and passed David a clean cloth. "Do you say? Not much past it, I would guess."

Will had taken the bowl of bloodied water and thrown it out through the tent flap, hoping, as Dom could see, that it would hit one of the guards. Amaru was kneeling beside Lizhe's head and listening carefully. Then he rose.

"God asks to speak with you, Auqui."

Dom took Amaru's place beside Lizhe and pulled out his rosary for good measure, absently telling the beads through his nerveless fingers, as the Franciscan was still observing him, and Dom was wary of him, as he was of everyone in the camp.

He used the priestly tongue. "Lizhe, my soul, how dost thou? My heart is sore for thy pain."

Lizhe opened his eyes, dark with anguish. "I am well, my heart. I have endured worse."

Dom knew this to be true. Lizhe had suffered much at the hands of his insane former lover, Tupac - brother of Amaru.

"I thank the All-Father that Khuno gavest thou the leaves. It must have eased it for thee..."

Lizhe stretched out his clenched hand towards Dom, and opened it. There were half a dozen crushed coca leaves in it. "I did not take them, Dom. I...Viracocha said...I did not take them..." and his eyes fluttered and he grew paler, and said no more.

Dom carefully took the leaves and handed them to David. "Will you see that he is given these, should he ask for them? I must return to my father, who is sick..."

David's eyes shot to Dom's face, but retained his composure. "You may be sure of it, Eminence," he said in clear, French-accented Spanish. "Brother Alejandro and I will take care of this man, never fear. He has had many years experience in tending the sick."

It was obvious he could say no more at this present. "I will come to your Eminence later, and report to you how... he... is doing, if it pleases you. Perhaps this man may stay to help him, he seems to know our patient well."

Dom held out his hand to be kissed. "He may stay. Amaru is much beloved of the God-King, as I understand it. He will be able to tell you much of him. It pleases me well that you will come to me later, but I must tell you Amaru does not speak Spanish."

David bowed. "It is well; Brother Alejandro and I both speak Quechua."

Will tugged at his sleeve. "Come, Eminence - it is time we left." Dom knew the truth of this; they had tarried too long. He did not want anyone to become any more suspicious of his relationship with Lizhe than they already were. While Lizhe was supposedly his servant, it was acceptable that they were seen together, and slept in the same tent. Now that he was known as the God-King, and Dom had denied knowing more of Lizhe than that he had chosen him to be his guide and servant, it was not wise to put new thoughts into the Inquisitor's minds. They had enough of their own there already.

"I beg you will all take the utmost care of him," Dom, said, sketching the sign of the cross in the air, and leaving abruptly, almost knocking the guard outside down into the mud caused by Will's discarded water. He pulled himself together, and apologised to the man, who was startled to be noticed by such an august personage.

"It's all right, your Eminence. It's what you gets used to in the army," the surprised man said, sighing.

"Especially this damned army," his companion muttered, darkly. Dom gave the men a measuring glance.

"If you have any grievances, I will happily take them up with your captain."

The men shuffled uneasily. "It ain't him that's the problem, your Grace, and that's a fact. Captain Sancho is as fine a man as ever breathed. It's..."

His companion coughed loudly, warning his friend, who stopped and grinned. "Ah, well, we signed on for it, so we must bear it, I suppose."

As they walked off, Will commented, "if this is the general opinion of the men in this camp, things are far from well."

Dom paused before entering his father's tent. "Will, you are dressed simply - the men will talk to you. Go about a bit, as you decided, see what you can glean, by listening and subtle questioning. I will be here, waiting for David."

Will grinned. "How in Hell's name did he get here? That will be a story I will enjoy hearing. It is good, too, that Lizhe has someone he kens and trusts t' care for him."

The smile vanished, and Will pursed his lips. "I wonder where Michel is, though? I would have thocht t' have seen him today. Go you in - I'll come later."

***

His father was sleeping when Dom entered, but Pedro was there and anxious to speak with him.

"Maitre Michel's man came just after you left, Eminence. The Maitre is unwell. He has been very sick, his man says, but not unto death. He has asked if you will go to him when you returned. His is the seventh tent," the man said, pointing to his right.

Dom went there immediately. There was no guard outside so he let himself in. The air in the tent was redolent of sickness, but Michel was sitting, propped up in his bed, pale but composed.

"Thank you for coming so promptly, my friend, especially as you have other, more telling concerns. How is he?"

Dom told the story swiftly, and also mentioned that a friend was here with them. He did not elaborate, and Michel asked no questions. He put his hand on his belly and groaned.

"This damned thing, Dom, is not what I like, I can tell you. But I have noticed - could not fail to notice - a peculiar thing."

There was a smile in Michel's eyes. Dom let him speak. "I fancied a roast fowl for my dinner, and sent my man to order one from the Prince's butcher. As you know," he continued, shifting slightly to ease himself, "or, as you probably do not know," he amended, with a grin, "most of the meats for the camp are cooked in a big tent which used to be run by three Spanish cooks."

"Used to be?" Dom enquired, puzzled.

Michel waved a hand in the air, dismissing the Spanish cooks. "Oddly enough, the three of them caught the purging sickness last week and died. The kitchens are now run by the natives - except for the Inquisitor's meat, which is cooked by his servant, in a little tent apart from the others."

Dom allowed this information to be assimilated into his racing mind. "Are you telling me the Incas are tampering with the food?" he asked, shocked.

"That is exactly what I am telling you. I had your father's man make a few discreet enquiries. My man is not so subtle as Pedro, who found that not one of the Inca slaves has been sick. At first I put it down to the fact that their diet is substantially different from ours, but that will not do. I notice you eat the same diet as they do, but you have eaten meat, too and have not been sick. Where does it come from, your father's meat?"

Dom thought carefully. "He brought his own sheep with him, as you know - and his own fowls, pigs, wine, and cooks, also."

Michel nodded. "Exactly. Your father's cooks gave me the chicken readily enough, but were busy with possets suitable for an invalid. Therefore I took my fowl to the Inca cooks."

"I do still maintain that your father was poisoned by Benigo, either in the meat he sent him, or the wine or both - but I truly believe the Incas are making the soldiers sick by adding something - who knows what? - to the camp food. I am proof of it. It was after I had eaten the fowl that I became sick."

"Do you mean that you think the Inca are killing the soldiers?" Dom asked, astonished. He poured himself out a cup of wine, needing it after the accumulation of the morning's doings.

Michel shook his head. "There have been several deaths, it is true, but I think they were from true sickness rather than poisoning. I do not think the Inca are set on killing, merely upon disabling. If they wished to kill us all, we would be dead by now."

Dom pressed his eyes. He was tired and he needed to be with his love, but could not. He had much to think about, but he had to return to his father's tent to be there to meet David.

"When Lizhe is recovered a little, I will ask him what he thinks. Perhaps, in the meanwhile, Khuno might be able to enlighten us. I must go to my father - and my advice to you, Michel, is to cultivate a liking for cuy and quinoa, as Will and I have done, and to eat food only from the servants' tents."

Michel threw his arms in the air in disgust, and said he would starve to a shadow on the Inca diet.

"Better starved than poisoned, my friend," Dom said as he left, promising to return later.

***

His father had woken whilst Dom had been with Michel, and was anxious to know how Lizhe was faring. Dom sat beside his father and avoided looking at him whilst he told the tale, mentioning the advent of David, and at the end of it, as if his mind could not contain the horror of it, the distress of the people at seeing their God so misused.

"His back was a bloodied pulp, father. How he bore it without complaint, I do not know, for I could hardly bear to watch it. I am glad our friend was there to aid him afterwards; his presence will comfort Lizhe, for I am certain he is in much pain. I, too, have been whipped hard, more than once, but I did not bear it as nobly as did my Lord."

Dom's hands began to tremble again, and Tobé wisely did not question him at that moment.

He stared at his distressed son, his mind buzzing with conjecture. "I see there is much that you have to tell me, still - but I must tell you that the first time I set eyes upon your Lizhe, I saw that he was a king. And he is, my son, a great and noble king. Moreover, kings - true kings - have much to uphold, in the eyes of the people, both in dignity and strength. And, if truth be known, not the least of it must be proved to themselves."

***

Dom had just finished assisting his father with his toilet, when David's voice was heard outside begging admittance. Dom strode to the flap and hauled his friend inside, holding him close and patting his back, not knowing what to say.

When he was finally released, David bowed to Tobé, who was looking on benignly from the bed.

"Good day to you, Brother David. My son has told me a little of you. How does our friend?"

David sat, and accepted a cup of chicha from Dom, who was most anxious to hear how Lizhe did.

"Tell me before we begin, Dom - are Rimac and Yupanque safe?"

Dom reassured his friend, telling him he would hear their full story later. "But now I will hear of Lizhe, David. How does he?"

"He is sleeping, my Lord. I persuaded him to take two of the leaves." David glanced at Dom, and smiled slightly. "I told him that being a martyr to the pain did not advance his cause, and that he should think of you having to watch him suffer. This last, of course, whilst Father Alejandro was not nearby. Some things must be kept secret for the greater good, your Eminence," he said, smiling ruefully. Dom had the grace to blush.

Then David's smile grew softer. "He was ever careful of you, Dom. I only had to hint at your pain and he forgot his own, and his pride, and took them. He will be better for it when he wakes. His man, Khuno, is with him and Alejandro, so you need have no fear he is not being cherished as well as if you were present."

Dom blinked away his tears. "Thank you, dear friend. Now, let us talk of other things before I unman myself before you. Tell us, if you will, how you came here, before I explode from curiosity."

He lowered his voice. "Speak quietly, and in Quechua. One trusts my father's guard, but..."

Tobé nodded, and David moved his chair closer and began his tale.

"We were settled at Ixtil, as you know, and..." David's face grew suddenly pale. He had remembered the Coya's death.

Dom forestalled him. "We know of the Coya, David. Do not fear to tell us everything."

David's eyes widened. "How do you...? But that is a tale for another time. Well, not many days after the Coya...fell...a messenger came to us from God. He was exhausted, having run many hundreds of miles with hardly any rest, and he spoke only with the Villac-Uma, who came to me, and asked if I would come to this place to aid you."

Dom was puzzled. "But we were still upon the Island, then. How did he know...?"

David grinned. "You forget he is a shaman, as is Lizhe. He knew, that is all."

"I set off with six strong soldiers disguised as bearers, and as we were already at Ixtil, and left through the valley behind the city, we had less than a quarter of the distance you had taken, to arrive here. You have walked nearly a complete half-circle, Dom, to arrive at this point, which may surprise you."

"We had the good fortune to meet with Alejandro, who had been in charge of a small mission in the hills. However, when the Spanish landed, the villagers fled into the hills, and Alejandro was left to be the spiritual shepherd of a few llamas and a pen of cuy. He was glad to join with me.
My robe had been torn during the journey and he gave me one of his, saying that the outward appearance mattered not, only the heart, and we were all God's servants under our different clothing."

Here David's face grew cold. "He thought that up until the time we passed through a small village which the Inquisition had razed. Men, women and children, all dead."

He rubbed his hands over his face as if to erase the memory of it. "He changed his mind, then, and vowed that instead of returning to the mother mission at Mochtil, to come with me, and see what he could do to aid the people."

"I told him nothing of our God, or my mission from Villac, only that God was sending me to a place that I had seen in a vision. I did not say which God, for you must know I have two. My God I cannot forsake - nor Lizhe, whom I love as a brother."

"I must return to him, now. I was supposed only to be reporting to you on Lizhe's condition. I will tell Father Alex you asked me to assist you with your father, and he will believe me, for as in him there is no guile, he perceives none in others."

Dom embraced David again, and just as he was leaving, and they stood at the tent entrance looking down over the camp, David turned his head slightly from the guards and winked.

"I think, Eminence," he said, airily, "that old Khuno remarked that the best roast cuy were to be had at the end tent, there - but for a good piece of well-cooked mutton," and he laid subtly emphasis upon a word, "your servants should visit that tent. "

He knelt, kissed Dom's hand, and walked swiftly up the rise.

Dom was intrigued. It was no business of a cardinal to fetch his own food, or to visit mess tents, but in the light of David's intriguing hints, decided to do so immediately. After all, he was known to seek out his own breakfast. Why not other meals? He could always have it told around the camp that he was very particular about his food, which, given the present atmosphere of poison and intrigue, was no lie.

He ignored the tent with the cuy. He wished to know why David had emphasised this tent. Upon approaching it, the smell of roast mutton made him feel rather sick. He must eat, and soon.

There were several native slaves carrying trays of roast mutton outside to a long trestle table where a young girl with a large leaf was standing, chasing the flies away from the scorching hot meats. There were soldiers queuing up for their meal, and some of them glanced at Dom, and bowed, obviously wondering what he was doing there, when he had so many servants - albeit his father's servants - to do his bidding.

He stopped an Inca man hefting a tray onto his shoulder and asked him who was in charge of this kitchen since the Spanish cooks had died. The man hurriedly placed the tray on the table, bowed, and disappeared back inside the steaming tent.

Soon a tall man appeared, dressed in a greasy green skirt, his dark straight hair tied back out of his face. He shielded his eyes with his hand from the bright rays of the sun.

He bowed and stared morosely at Dom, and in a deep, gruff voice, said abruptly, "if you want meat, Lord, I'll send some up to you. Is it meat you want?"

Dom swallowed hard, coughed, and nodded. "Meat, yes. A leg of mutton, well roasted, if you please. At my father's tent, as soon as may be. And... two cuy, some avocado and baked potatoes, and such fruits as you have."

The man nodded, and turning his back to the line of soldiers, whispered quickly to Dom, then disappeared inside again, as swiftly as he had come.

Dom made his way slowly up the hill, his mind a ferment of conjecture.

For he had known the surly man. He knew him as well as he knew anyone he had come to love and respect in the Holy City.

"If you eat the mutton, you will be sick - the cuy and other stuffs are safe," the man had whispered.

He believed him, for the man was God's cousin, and his friend, the High Priest of God, the Villac-Uma.

Comments

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

Oh, my gosh! Well, that's a surprise and no mistake, as Sam would say. Poor, dear Lizhe. I was so glad David had come, and was there to take care of him. How painful for Dom, to be forced to watch without being able to help his love. There's so much intrigue and so many questions, I can't wait to learn the answers. I hope our sweet lovers will be able to escape somehow.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Yup, my love - there's a lot going on here! :D

I do hope you're feeling a bit better now. Hugses. xxx

[mole-caz.livejournal.com]

Lizhe came through that better than I thought he would but I feel he has more to suffer. Will have to wait three weeks now before I can see if I'm right......

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

It'll be here when ya get back, my love! Enjoy! xxx

[verangel.livejournal.com]

Oh my God what a chapter. I was thrilled to know David was there and Villac-Uma!!! What a great surprise. Help from affar.
The whipping was horrible. I knew Lizhe would not take the leaves but bare his burden in its full capacity and with the tremendous dignity that is his. But the image was horrible..that beautiful soft white naked back bloodied to a pulp broke my heart. Lizhe's comments to the man who doubted that he could be God and that he has to bare the will of their Holy Viracocha. It is a moment that is familiar in religious texts and understandable. But doesn't lessen the pain. Thank Goodness that Will spoke and stopped the torture.

Now, things are being done to stall and weaken the soldiers.
I can't wait to see the next part. It has to be so hard for Dom to not be there to touch his beloved's face and comfort him when he is in so much pain. (great touch with guilting Lizhe into taking the leaves for comfort and because of Dom's pain).

hugs you...such an incredible story. xoxoxo v

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Bless them. I can't wait until they can lie safe in each others arms. All this suspense is killin' me!! ;D

I do feel so sorry for them both. Love isn't easy in such circumstances, is it? xxx

[frolijah-fan-54.livejournal.com]

Lizhe's strength always amazes me - and Dom help up better than I thought he would - but then he's doing it to help his love. Good motivation!!

I am thrilled to see David and Villac-Uma enter the picture - Lizhe and Dom need all the help they can get!! But it just makes me grin from ear to ear that Villac-Uma is making all the soldiers sick - hope he makes that horrible Inquisitor and his evil cohorts suffer LONG AND HARD. I'm not usually so vindictive - but this is Lizhe they are hurting.

How can I stop vibrating in my seat when this is SO GOOD and I can't wait for the next chapter?

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Yup, may they be boiled in oil - SLOWLY!!!;D

But Lizhe being such a sweet man - or IS he? We can see God has to be just before he can be merciful.

Stop all that vibrating. Trees are uprooting in Guatemala because of it! ;D Wibble. xxx

[pattilovesviggo.livejournal.com]

Aw, poor Lizhe being whipped and being outstandingly brave as God would be an example to his people...Let`s hope he gets justice later.

"If you eat the mutton, you will be sick - the cuy and other stuffs are safe," the man had whispered.

He believed him, for the man was God's cousin, and his friend, the High Priest of God, the Villac-Uma---Yes!!!!at last :)

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Good ole Villac to the rescue. We hope. This story keeps changing. I can't bear it myself. Every day a different plot-line. Cor! xxx

[lisabellex.livejournal.com]

The Villac-Uma! And David! Oh, I like the way this is moving - how clever. Lizhe was so incredibly brave - there we were thinking he'd taken the leaves to dull the pain, when in fact he was enduring every blow at Viracocha's say-so. Am so relieved he's being well cared for now, and by good men. And I'm filled with admiration for the natives who are bravely tampering with the soldiers' food. While we're not out of the woods yet, I have the feeling that God will prevail.

Great chapter, Issi!

:D

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

The cavalry have arrived - but can they help? We'll see.

Lizhe knows Viracocha has his reasons for Lizhe not being drugged. I hope he can prevail. Well, I have not much idea myself, how things will unfold. Bless! ;D xxx

[chickenlegs-11.livejournal.com]

Oh my goodness!!! I'm loving every chapter Issi. You certainly weave a thrilling story. It was hard to read of Lizhe's suffering so thank you for not going too much into the gory detail. But there is something so powerfully hypnotic in knowing Lizhe can suffer with such dignity and bravery! And then be cared for so tenderly by all these men who love him in their own way! *sighs*

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

He is much loved. It must uphold one in times of danger to know this. Bless them all. Sighs with ya! ;D xxx

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

I wonder if the "horde" is there with you now or if they descended yesterday..? I'm sure you love to see them anyway ;)

Thanks so much for another fascinating chapter in this excellent series, I'm thoroughly enjoying reading it and look forward to when the lovers can be reunited...

In the meantime you hold my attention with such interesting story-telling, well done! I'm relieved that David and the Villac-Uma have arrived to add to Lizhe's allies and help support him and Dom.

It came as no surprise that Lizhe bore his suffering and pain with courage and dignity and without the aid of the leaves, but it was good to know that he didn't refuse them when he knew it would ease Dom's suffering.

Thank you for sparing us the gory details, but the thought of Lizhe's beautiful back reduced to a "bloodied pulp" was a horrible one. I hope that evil creature who ordered it gets his just deserts...

Btw, "Elizabeth - The Golden Age" was very good and I can thoroughly recommend it! Cate Blanchett was excellent as was Geoffrey Rush as Walsingham and Clive Owen as Walter Raleigh. The costumes were sumptuous and the special effects, as with the Spanish Armada, were totally believable. Hope you get to see it!
XXX

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

No, I didn't want any gory details, myself. I do find it hard to hurt the lad - but in this story it needs must be so.

Thanks for the heads-up. I hope I'll get to see Elizabeth soon. Some critics have panned it for inaccuracies - but I want to see it for myself! ;D xxx

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

Of course, there are occasions when the story demands, but we can imagine ourselves how horrible it was without you needing to describe it in detail.

Our son James went to see "Elizabeth" His comment, "a couple of good personal performances but not a great film overall". I'm not saying it was perfect and you probably will be able to spy inaccuracies, but we enjoyed the film and in my book that goes a long way!

You can make up your own mind when and if you do get to see it. Hope you do and that you find something in it to enjoy.

[lireeli.livejournal.com]

Oh terrible whipping, terrible...
But I see hope! I see Dom, who has changed so much, who is now strong too and I see David and the Villac-Uma, I see all the slaves ready to fight for their God not with weapons but food!
Yes I see hope!
*hugs tight*

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

The is always hope, kiddo. There are many people there who love our little God-King. It must help him to know this. Bless him. :D xxx

[laeliacatt.livejournal.com]

Oh, poor Lizhe. His poor, bloodied back! But he faced the flogging with such grace and courage. No wonder Dom was able to draw strength from him.

Hooray for David and the Villac-Uma and the food defense! Cunning, those Incas. :)

Have fun with the horde this weekend! *mwah*

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

The Incas are canny canny folkses. There is more help there than we may realise - thank goodness. Mwah's ya back! :D xxx

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

"I can't wait until I can put some premier bonking into this story."

Oy. No, not much mood for bonking when they've been through so much suffering. That needs to be remedied, no doubt.

I printed this and read it in bed last night, so now I have to recall what brilliant things I would have said if I'd posted comments straight away. : D

I think one of things that mainly attracts me to this story is the spiritual aspects. Of course, having Lizhe as God on Earth makes it more interesting as well!

"I did not take them, Dom. I...Viracocha said...I did not take them..."

I new Lizhe hadn't taken those leaves for some reason. When he came out for the beating but was so focused, I had a feeling that something else was influencing him. Now I know it was because Viracocha had told him not to do it. I wonder why?

Poor Dom, having to witness that beating.

The Incas are making the soldiers sick, clever.

So both David and the Villac-Uma are there! The plot thickens.

Hey, I just remembered that I saw a PBS program a few days ago. It was like a travel program or something, and the people were in South America somewhere, perhaps Peru. They actually showed stacks of cuy that were available to buy! I could hardly believe it. They had been killed and cleaned and were stacked in little piles. So, they still eat them. It was mentioned that they were guinea pigs, but they called them cuy.

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

Ok, so I always have to comment twice!? : D

Here's another part that really moved me:

"...but I must tell you that the first time I set eyes upon your Lizhe, I saw that he was a king. And he is, my son, a great and noble king. Moreover, kings - true kings - have much to uphold, in the eyes of the people, both in dignity and strength. And, if truth be know, not the least of it must be proved to themselves."

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Don Cristobal is an insightful man. He has taught his son a lot in such a little time. Hugs him. xxx

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Well, not so much "bonking" - but I do like them safe in each others arms, I do. Preferably nekkid. ;D cor!!!

Yes, the cuy are guinea-pigs, and still eaten there as you say. It's supposed to be tasty meat, and I certainly wouldn't be averse to trying it if it's anything like rabbit!

There is a great deal of spiritual strength in these men - some of it untested. Dom, for instance has not yet learned to harness his power, although he sees it in Lizhe. But, not long now! xxx

[http://users.livejournal.com/saura_/]

DAVID! David is there to make it all right! Oh, thanks God!!!

For a moment I was sure Lizhe had taken the leafs and I did remember that Viralloca had told Dom that Lizhe could take no more or he'll die!!! I was so scared for a moment there!!

But I'm sure David would make it good for them. HE MUST!

and on sidewards note: I knew punishment the God would put the Inca into a revolt! YAY FOR THEM!!!

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thanks, love. Things are looking good! ;D Hope you enjoy the NEXT part as much as I did writing it! Huge hugs for a wonderful birthday, too, dear friend xxxxxx

[http://users.livejournal.com/saura_/]

I am sure I'll enjoy it just like I enjoy everything you write! ♥

And thank you for the good wishes. So far it's an great day, indeed!

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

In about five minutes I shall be posting the teeniest DomLizhe ficlet for you on my lj. I hope you like it! xxx

[http://users.livejournal.com/saura_/]

OMG A DOMLIJAH FOR ME!!! *bounces*