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ismeninHello! Here is part three of my Egypt short series. Merely a little diversion. :D
Grateful thanks to LadySunrope for beta.
Part 3 - A Happy Coincidence
They were just coming out of the third warehouse they had visited that morning. It was a very hot day, and they were thinking longingly of a reviving bath and a long, cold drink, when Dom, talking to Lij over his shoulder, walked straight into a young man carrying a basket, and knocked him to the ground.
The contents of the basket flew everywhere, and Dom hurried to pick them up whilst Lij offered his hand to the boy lying prostrate on the floor.
The lad grasped it gratefully, and stood up, rather stiffly. Lij could see several bruises on the boy's neck and arm. It was no wonder he was stiff - he had been recently beaten. Lij pressed his lips together tightly. Why would some people not learn that one got more from servants with a smile, than with a stick?
The boy looked anxiously at Dom, who was picking up an empty sack. Its contents were lying in the dust - and Dom was taking an inordinate interest in it.
When the boy saw what happened to his bundle, he began to tremble. There was no doubt he thought he would be beaten again for the loss of...
Lij stared, too. The lost bundle was a large bag of dark golden grains, just like those on the ear of corn he had tucked into the little purse on his belt.
The young man knelt, and ineffectually tried to gather up the scattered grain, but the ground was sandy and the grain had scattered over a wide area. The lad sat on the ground and put his face in his hands.
Dom, meanwhile, had gone back into the building they had just left, and reappeared with a servant carrying a broom and a thin slat of wood.
As the messenger-boy sat, head in hands, the warehouse servant quickly swept up the grain and sand into a pile, then carefully sliding the wood under it, put it into the basket.
Dom smiled his thanks and gave the servant a small coin, with which he seemed inordinately pleased.
Then Dom picked up the basket, and shook the sand out of it, leaving the grain in the bottom. Lij quickly grabbed the bag, and Dom carefully tipped the grain into it. After that, they both looked at the boy, who had not moved from his spot.
"I do not think you have lost much of the grain, young man. Indeed, I cannot see one spare grain on the ground," Lij said in a soft voice. The boy locked up, an startled expression on his features.
Dom held up the bag of grain. "It is all here, I assure you."
The boy rose awkwardly to his feet, hardly believing his good fortune. Then, to both men's dismay, he burst into tears.
Lij put his arm around him. He reminded him so forcibly of his own son, Jed, in those awkward years between being a child and man. And this poor lad could not know much happiness in his life, bearing the bruises he did.
Slowly they walked down the street, Dom carrying the basket, Lij with his arm around the lad until they came to a small inn on the corner, next to a grain warehouse.
They sat at the table, and the boy wiped his face over with his hands, clearly not believing his good fortune.
"I must not tarry - my mistress expects me back. I was only taking the grain to the corn-grinder. I should not stay."
The innkeeper came bustling over, seeing two well-dressed men seated at one of his tables. He quickly brought what they had ordered, and the boy gulped down his cup of beer, thirstily, then rose as if to leave. Lij gestured for him to sit, and the boy, responding automatically to Lij's obvious authority, did so.
"Your master beats you, I see." Not expecting any answer he continued, "Who and what is your master?" Lij asked as he sipped his beer distastefully. He had never liked it - not even the better quality beer brewed at the Palace. He pushed the cup away, and cocked an eyebrow at the boy, expecting an answer to the question.
"He is Djadao, the cloth merchant, my Lord," came the quiet reply. Lij looked at Dom in surprise. A cloth merchant? Not a grain merchant, then.
Dom's voice was equally quiet. "Where were you taking the grain - to the grinder, you said? Surely your master cannot eat much bread if this is all you were taking to be ground," Dom nodded at the bag in the basket.
"Oh, it is not for him, Lord - it is for his wife. She says she cannot stomach the coarser, pale corn that my master eats, so he has to purchase for her the darker, more expensive corn. She is very - particular - about her food, and insists the flour be ground daily so it be fresh. That and she doesn't trust him with larger amounts - she says he cheats her if she sends more to be ground. This is for tomorrow, and I collect yesterday's now..."
He looked at Lij in a desperate way. "I am grateful to you, my Lord, but I must go. I do not wish..." he left the sentence dangling in the air, but Lij knew what he meant.
"What is your name?" Lij said with a gesture indicating he could leave. "Rasui, my Lord"
"Well, Rasui, go and deliver your grain. We shall be waiting here when you come back, for we both wish to purchase some cloth, and to see if your master needs any papyrus - for that is our business."
The boy's face lit up. "He is in much need of new papyrus - if I take you to him, perhaps he will be pleased with me. I will be quick!" He vanished out of the door, and Dom, throwing a coin on the table, indicated they should leave.
A few minutes later they were standing outside, with nothing to stand under to shield them from the noonday heat. "And why, my love, are we waiting out here in the hot sun, when we could be sitting in comfort in the shade inside?"
Dom smiled at Lij. "It smelt of stale mushrooms."
Lij rested his head against the white wall. "It is many years since you have smelt a mushroom, Dom, yet still you remember. I never had a taste for them - although your mutton stew was delicious."
Both men stood there for a minute, remembering Erin, and what had happened to them there.
"I miss Cormac, Lij. It is strange that I could find my brother and lose him in such a short time. I wonder if he is married now, or if he has found someone as I found you, muh chree."
Lij brushed Dom's hand lightly. It was not the place for a public demonstration of affection, yet he had to touch his love.
"I know," Lij murmured, as Rasui bounded down the street, his bruises and earlier despair apparently forgotten. Dom grinned at him, remembering the resilience of youth.
***
The cloth merchant's house was large, and spread over a fair area, incorporating, as it did, his warehouses. It was off the main road, in a quiet, but obviously wealthier area of the town. Its white walls were well maintained, and the door was freshly painted green.
The doorkeeper came to Rasui's impatient knocking, and was about to give the young man a clip around the ear for his impertinence, when he saw Dom and Lij standing behind him.
There was no way that anyone could tell that these men were the gods and Kings of Egypt, dressed as they were in ordinary clothing, but both men exuded an air of authority that it was hard to ignore. The doorkeeper put down his hand.
"Good morning. We would like to see your master, if we may," said Dom in a perfectly civil but decidedly firm voice. "We wish to purchase some cloth, and also we have papyrus to sell - perhaps we may trade it. Is your master at home?"
The doorkeeper nodded eagerly. "Yes, masters, he is. And he will be mightily glad about the papyrus. If you would be good enough to wait a moment."
Rasui had left them, but with a beseeching look, as if asking them to remember to tell the story they had concocted on the way. Lij nodded, and the lad went off, grinning.
They glanced around the courtyard, and sat on a stone bench against the wall. Several servants passed through on their daily business, but none of them bore the marks that Rasui did. Neither man said anything, but both thought that perhaps the lad was a bed - slave as well, and that was how he had got the marks.
They didn't have long to wait. The doorkeeper passed them and returned to his post, then a servant, significantly better dressed than any of the other servants they'd seen, came and bowed before them.
"My master would be delighted to see you. Please follow me."
They were led through the house, which was well furnished and exuded an aura of prosperity, into a long corridor that led into the business area. Somewhere along the way they heard a woman screeching and complaining. Dom looked at Lij. Obviously this was the wife, as they did not think that anyone else would be allowed to behave so in such a tightly run establishment.
They passed several closed doors on their way and finally came to a large office, simply furnished with a large desk, several stools, a chair, and some cupboards containing scrolls.
Sitting in the chair at the desk was the merchant, who rose amicably as the men entered.
"The papyrus merchants, Master," the servant announced, and bowed himself out. Lij suppressed a smile. Obviously Rasui had wasted no time telling his story in the servants quarters.
The merchant was a man of medium height, big boned and heavy in flesh. He had a handsome but florid face, and black hair that hung in ringlets to his shoulders . Lij wrinkled his nose. He did not like the oil the man used on his hair and beard. It was sickly and reminded Lij most forcibly of decaying roses. It also reminded him of something else, but he could not remember what
The man came forward wreathed in smiles. "If you have papyrus to sell, you are most welcome here. We have had none for several months now, and record-keeping is getting to be an onerous duty for the clerks. Sit down, sit down," he urged, pointing to the stools.
"I am Djadao, as you probably know. May I have the honour of knowing your names?"
Dom introduced them using the names Sen-Adom and Lijedefer. They were common enough names in Egypt, and both men thought it safer to use their own names than to be caught out in a mistake.
Refreshments were brought and consumed in a leisurely fashion. Both men could see that Djadao did not like to hurry his transactions, and the men were happy to oblige him.
It was hot outside, and here, in the cool interior, they felt it was a pleasant way to spend an hour.
Besides this, Lij had had the distinct impression as he came through the door, that he was in the right place. He communicated this knowledge to Dom, who was used to it. Nevertheless Dom always found it unsettling, because he himself had no such feelings. However, he was prepared to trust Lij. In all their years together he had never been wrong.
Eventually they came to the point of the visit - at least, the supposed point of their visit - and the cloth merchant ordered a satisfying amount of papyrus and ink, which Dom and Lij traded for a few delicate pieces of fine cloth for Orla and Titi - Evgren being too young to think of such things.
They put their samples back in the satchel and promised to bring the order later, their main stock being in the tavern. "It is also a good excuse to go back to any place we might find interesting, if we keep our wares in our room," Lij had said when they had arrived in the town, and Dom had to agree.
The merchant, having concluded their business, was anxious to return to his daily tasks. "I beg you, bring my order around at the time of the evening meal, then we can enjoy it together. I am sure my wife will be delighted to meet you, and it is always pleasant to have someone intelligent to talk with over dinner."
***
"Just what was it you felt, at the merchants home, Lij?" Dom asked when they were back in the safety of the tavern room.
Lij accepted the cup of well watered wine, and sipped it thoughtfully. "I really do not know, Dom. That it was an unhappy household I felt as soon as I went in - remember how I felt at the Palace of Zardis, in Hyksos?"
Dom nodded. He remembered only too well how disturbed Lij had been in that luxurious dwelling - only to discover that Zardis would have no social or sexual contact with anybody without practically beating them into unconsciousness every day. No-one was exempt. His wives, his children, his concubines, his bed-boys, servants and slaves alike suffered under his heavy hand, and the whole place had an air of fear about it.
"Well, it was not exactly like that - the feelings at the merchants were not so strong, but I had the distinct impression that there were several unhappy people there. I do not know why this feeling comes to me, but when it comes it is most - insistent, perhaps is the word - it be recognised."
Lij put down his cup. "Come, my love - there are better things to do than talk about misery. Come and kiss me - I would have you, if you please, before we sleep for an hour."
Dom smiled, and joined Lij on the bed. "Now, when have you ever known me to refuse your love?" he murmured, taking his spouse in his arms, and kissing him.
The needy sound Lij made in the back of his throat as Dom's lips touched his was all that was needed to bring him to complete hardness. Dom tightened his grip.
"After all this time you can still drive me to the edge of madness, my love," Dom breathed in Lij's ear, trembling, as he now was, with the strength of his desire.
Lij's laugh was shaky. "There is no-one else in the world that makes me feel as you do. I have wanted no-one else since the day I first saw you."
"Take me - take me now, Lij. I need you..."
And when Lij was buried deep inside him, Dom felt, as he always did, a sense of deepest unity with his love, and when he came it was with the same joy.
They slept for an hour in the heat of the afternoon, and then bathed and dressed. Armed with the merchant's purchases, they hired a servant boy at the inn to carry the parcels, and making one short stop on their way, appeared at the appointed hour, dressed and oiled, at his front gate.
The gatekeeper recognised them immediately, and glanced approvingly at them, as they had exchanged their workaday garments for better ones, and the two men looked exactly what they were supposed to be - wealthy merchants with an easy life, and plenty of money to indulge it.
Djadao came waddling towards them across the courtyard, dressed in red silk, and smelling very strongly of the sickly perfume that Lij had disliked so much on him earlier. Lij saw that Dom, too, had wrinkled his nose fastidiously. It was far too heavy to be pleasant. The man was also sweating profusely, which added to the almost overpowering miasma of the perfume which assailed their nostrils as he approached them.
Overcoming their dislike was not difficult - they were used to hiding their emotions at court from those they did not wish to see them. They smiled broadly as he reached them, and offered him gracious compliment on his gown, which was so obviously of a Persian design.
Lij laughed inwardly as the man swelled with pride. As he ushered them into the house he told them where he had purchased it, from whom, and how much it had cost, all of which details were suddenly of paramount interest to his visitors, had he but known it, for he had purchased it, he said, at Tolan.
They were led into a large dining chamber, where a round marble table almost filled the room, and sitting on a bamboo chair to one side was a small, pale woman, dressed as richly as her husband, covered from head to toe in jewels, but with her mouth turned down at the corners in a perpetual sulk. Dom looked at her carefully - he could imagine her screaming at servants, and beating them, with no difficulty at all.
She nodded at them as they entered, but did not say a word as her husband introduced them.
Dom and Lij sat down in the places indicated, and the woman clapped her hands abruptly and servants came rushing in with jugs of iced wine.
One of the servants, Dom observed, was Rasui. But he did not look happy as he carefully poured out his mistress's wine. Lij was sitting next to her, and the boy poured for him next. Lij smiled at him and the lad grinned back happily. Removing the jug from Lij's cup he spilled a small drop of the red liquid onto Lij's white robes.
He said nothing - his face said it all, blanched white with fear. His mistress turned cold eyes upon him. "Come to my rooms after dinner has concluded," she said in a voice that would have frozen the wine in the cups. The boy bowed, and left the room.
Djadao adroitly turned the conversation and Dom and Lij joined in politely. Both men noticed that the woman said nothing unless directly addressed. Lij had asked her about her children, solely for something to talk of.
"I have no children. I employ other women for those purposes. I have no wish for them myself," she said, not even glancing at her husband. Lij could see that this subject embarrassed his host, so began to speak of other inconsequential things.
The food was excellent, and well prepared, as they had expected. As soon as she had finished eating, the woman excused herself and left. Dom looked at Lij - both men knew where she was going. When they glanced at their host again, it was to find Djadao looking speculatively at them both.
"I see you are men for each other," he said smiling at them. "Do not try to deny it, it shows in your faces. You have great love for each other."
Dom smiled. "We have no intention of denying it. Why should we? We are our own men, and can do as we please."
The merchant ran his hand over his face. "This is true - and they say that the God-Kings are likewise. And what man can do better than to emulate the rulers of our land? I, too, have a liking for men. I have recently made a new acquisition. He is wild at the moment, but I will tame him. I always do."
Lij felt his heart pound in his chest. He did not know why, but he needed to see this man.
"I expect you are a master at it - I would very much like to see you taming him, if it were possible. I have a great liking for such things myself, as does Dom, do you not, my love?"
Dom blinked, and followed Lij's lead. "Indeed I do. I find it fascinating to watch other men being...er... tamed. It is a particular pleasure of mine."
Djadao almost burst with pleasure. He rubbed his hands together in satisfaction as he rose from the table. "Then you shall see it; who am I to deny pleasure when it is so easily given? Pray, come with me."
They followed their host down the long corridor, past the door from behind which came the sound of screaming, and a stick hitting flesh, and a boy's sobs, down a flight of stairs until they came to a locked door.
Djadao drew a key from his belt and opened the lock, ushering the men in before him.
Both men fixed on their countenances the impassive look that they had perfected over years of ruling their country and dealing with men and women of all sorts and types, both good and evil. Nothing of what they felt appeared on their faces.
The room was empty of furniture but for a dirty woollen blanket on the floor, and a bucket in the corner. Chained to the wall was a man, tall of stature, with black hair, now greasy and unkempt hanging to his waist. He had been badly beaten, and probably otherwise assaulted, Lij thought, for he had a haunted expression in his eyes - but his face held a defiant look.
As Dom and Lij entered the room, Lij saw a flash of hope in those eyes, that was immediately veiled as the lids came down over them.
Djadao turned to Lij. "What, then, do you think of my prize?"
Lij smiled. Anyone acquainted with that smile would have backed away in fear, but this man did not know Lij.
"A prize, indeed. What is his name?" he said, turning to the chained man once more.
Djadao voice held an edge of anger. "That I do not know, but I will soon beat it out of him. Or I will obtain it from him by other means."
Dom moved closer to the prisoner. "I do not think that will be necessary. I am sure he will tell me who he is - will you not, my fine fellow?"
The man suddenly raised his head. Dom flashed him a warning glance and the grin that was forming on his face was extinguished.
"I will tell you my name, for you seem a merciful man. Will you free me from this creature, and take me away from this place?"
Djadao began to protest, but Lij put up his hand effectually stopping him.
"We are waiting to hear your name. Until then we can do nothing. Our hands are as tied as yours."
Now the grin appeared, regardless of Dom's warning.
"I am Ninus the Phoenician. Captain, friend and servant of the Gods," he said.
Grateful thanks to LadySunrope for beta.
Part 3 - A Happy Coincidence
They were just coming out of the third warehouse they had visited that morning. It was a very hot day, and they were thinking longingly of a reviving bath and a long, cold drink, when Dom, talking to Lij over his shoulder, walked straight into a young man carrying a basket, and knocked him to the ground.
The contents of the basket flew everywhere, and Dom hurried to pick them up whilst Lij offered his hand to the boy lying prostrate on the floor.
The lad grasped it gratefully, and stood up, rather stiffly. Lij could see several bruises on the boy's neck and arm. It was no wonder he was stiff - he had been recently beaten. Lij pressed his lips together tightly. Why would some people not learn that one got more from servants with a smile, than with a stick?
The boy looked anxiously at Dom, who was picking up an empty sack. Its contents were lying in the dust - and Dom was taking an inordinate interest in it.
When the boy saw what happened to his bundle, he began to tremble. There was no doubt he thought he would be beaten again for the loss of...
Lij stared, too. The lost bundle was a large bag of dark golden grains, just like those on the ear of corn he had tucked into the little purse on his belt.
The young man knelt, and ineffectually tried to gather up the scattered grain, but the ground was sandy and the grain had scattered over a wide area. The lad sat on the ground and put his face in his hands.
Dom, meanwhile, had gone back into the building they had just left, and reappeared with a servant carrying a broom and a thin slat of wood.
As the messenger-boy sat, head in hands, the warehouse servant quickly swept up the grain and sand into a pile, then carefully sliding the wood under it, put it into the basket.
Dom smiled his thanks and gave the servant a small coin, with which he seemed inordinately pleased.
Then Dom picked up the basket, and shook the sand out of it, leaving the grain in the bottom. Lij quickly grabbed the bag, and Dom carefully tipped the grain into it. After that, they both looked at the boy, who had not moved from his spot.
"I do not think you have lost much of the grain, young man. Indeed, I cannot see one spare grain on the ground," Lij said in a soft voice. The boy locked up, an startled expression on his features.
Dom held up the bag of grain. "It is all here, I assure you."
The boy rose awkwardly to his feet, hardly believing his good fortune. Then, to both men's dismay, he burst into tears.
Lij put his arm around him. He reminded him so forcibly of his own son, Jed, in those awkward years between being a child and man. And this poor lad could not know much happiness in his life, bearing the bruises he did.
Slowly they walked down the street, Dom carrying the basket, Lij with his arm around the lad until they came to a small inn on the corner, next to a grain warehouse.
They sat at the table, and the boy wiped his face over with his hands, clearly not believing his good fortune.
"I must not tarry - my mistress expects me back. I was only taking the grain to the corn-grinder. I should not stay."
The innkeeper came bustling over, seeing two well-dressed men seated at one of his tables. He quickly brought what they had ordered, and the boy gulped down his cup of beer, thirstily, then rose as if to leave. Lij gestured for him to sit, and the boy, responding automatically to Lij's obvious authority, did so.
"Your master beats you, I see." Not expecting any answer he continued, "Who and what is your master?" Lij asked as he sipped his beer distastefully. He had never liked it - not even the better quality beer brewed at the Palace. He pushed the cup away, and cocked an eyebrow at the boy, expecting an answer to the question.
"He is Djadao, the cloth merchant, my Lord," came the quiet reply. Lij looked at Dom in surprise. A cloth merchant? Not a grain merchant, then.
Dom's voice was equally quiet. "Where were you taking the grain - to the grinder, you said? Surely your master cannot eat much bread if this is all you were taking to be ground," Dom nodded at the bag in the basket.
"Oh, it is not for him, Lord - it is for his wife. She says she cannot stomach the coarser, pale corn that my master eats, so he has to purchase for her the darker, more expensive corn. She is very - particular - about her food, and insists the flour be ground daily so it be fresh. That and she doesn't trust him with larger amounts - she says he cheats her if she sends more to be ground. This is for tomorrow, and I collect yesterday's now..."
He looked at Lij in a desperate way. "I am grateful to you, my Lord, but I must go. I do not wish..." he left the sentence dangling in the air, but Lij knew what he meant.
"What is your name?" Lij said with a gesture indicating he could leave. "Rasui, my Lord"
"Well, Rasui, go and deliver your grain. We shall be waiting here when you come back, for we both wish to purchase some cloth, and to see if your master needs any papyrus - for that is our business."
The boy's face lit up. "He is in much need of new papyrus - if I take you to him, perhaps he will be pleased with me. I will be quick!" He vanished out of the door, and Dom, throwing a coin on the table, indicated they should leave.
A few minutes later they were standing outside, with nothing to stand under to shield them from the noonday heat. "And why, my love, are we waiting out here in the hot sun, when we could be sitting in comfort in the shade inside?"
Dom smiled at Lij. "It smelt of stale mushrooms."
Lij rested his head against the white wall. "It is many years since you have smelt a mushroom, Dom, yet still you remember. I never had a taste for them - although your mutton stew was delicious."
Both men stood there for a minute, remembering Erin, and what had happened to them there.
"I miss Cormac, Lij. It is strange that I could find my brother and lose him in such a short time. I wonder if he is married now, or if he has found someone as I found you, muh chree."
Lij brushed Dom's hand lightly. It was not the place for a public demonstration of affection, yet he had to touch his love.
"I know," Lij murmured, as Rasui bounded down the street, his bruises and earlier despair apparently forgotten. Dom grinned at him, remembering the resilience of youth.
***
The cloth merchant's house was large, and spread over a fair area, incorporating, as it did, his warehouses. It was off the main road, in a quiet, but obviously wealthier area of the town. Its white walls were well maintained, and the door was freshly painted green.
The doorkeeper came to Rasui's impatient knocking, and was about to give the young man a clip around the ear for his impertinence, when he saw Dom and Lij standing behind him.
There was no way that anyone could tell that these men were the gods and Kings of Egypt, dressed as they were in ordinary clothing, but both men exuded an air of authority that it was hard to ignore. The doorkeeper put down his hand.
"Good morning. We would like to see your master, if we may," said Dom in a perfectly civil but decidedly firm voice. "We wish to purchase some cloth, and also we have papyrus to sell - perhaps we may trade it. Is your master at home?"
The doorkeeper nodded eagerly. "Yes, masters, he is. And he will be mightily glad about the papyrus. If you would be good enough to wait a moment."
Rasui had left them, but with a beseeching look, as if asking them to remember to tell the story they had concocted on the way. Lij nodded, and the lad went off, grinning.
They glanced around the courtyard, and sat on a stone bench against the wall. Several servants passed through on their daily business, but none of them bore the marks that Rasui did. Neither man said anything, but both thought that perhaps the lad was a bed - slave as well, and that was how he had got the marks.
They didn't have long to wait. The doorkeeper passed them and returned to his post, then a servant, significantly better dressed than any of the other servants they'd seen, came and bowed before them.
"My master would be delighted to see you. Please follow me."
They were led through the house, which was well furnished and exuded an aura of prosperity, into a long corridor that led into the business area. Somewhere along the way they heard a woman screeching and complaining. Dom looked at Lij. Obviously this was the wife, as they did not think that anyone else would be allowed to behave so in such a tightly run establishment.
They passed several closed doors on their way and finally came to a large office, simply furnished with a large desk, several stools, a chair, and some cupboards containing scrolls.
Sitting in the chair at the desk was the merchant, who rose amicably as the men entered.
"The papyrus merchants, Master," the servant announced, and bowed himself out. Lij suppressed a smile. Obviously Rasui had wasted no time telling his story in the servants quarters.
The merchant was a man of medium height, big boned and heavy in flesh. He had a handsome but florid face, and black hair that hung in ringlets to his shoulders . Lij wrinkled his nose. He did not like the oil the man used on his hair and beard. It was sickly and reminded Lij most forcibly of decaying roses. It also reminded him of something else, but he could not remember what
The man came forward wreathed in smiles. "If you have papyrus to sell, you are most welcome here. We have had none for several months now, and record-keeping is getting to be an onerous duty for the clerks. Sit down, sit down," he urged, pointing to the stools.
"I am Djadao, as you probably know. May I have the honour of knowing your names?"
Dom introduced them using the names Sen-Adom and Lijedefer. They were common enough names in Egypt, and both men thought it safer to use their own names than to be caught out in a mistake.
Refreshments were brought and consumed in a leisurely fashion. Both men could see that Djadao did not like to hurry his transactions, and the men were happy to oblige him.
It was hot outside, and here, in the cool interior, they felt it was a pleasant way to spend an hour.
Besides this, Lij had had the distinct impression as he came through the door, that he was in the right place. He communicated this knowledge to Dom, who was used to it. Nevertheless Dom always found it unsettling, because he himself had no such feelings. However, he was prepared to trust Lij. In all their years together he had never been wrong.
Eventually they came to the point of the visit - at least, the supposed point of their visit - and the cloth merchant ordered a satisfying amount of papyrus and ink, which Dom and Lij traded for a few delicate pieces of fine cloth for Orla and Titi - Evgren being too young to think of such things.
They put their samples back in the satchel and promised to bring the order later, their main stock being in the tavern. "It is also a good excuse to go back to any place we might find interesting, if we keep our wares in our room," Lij had said when they had arrived in the town, and Dom had to agree.
The merchant, having concluded their business, was anxious to return to his daily tasks. "I beg you, bring my order around at the time of the evening meal, then we can enjoy it together. I am sure my wife will be delighted to meet you, and it is always pleasant to have someone intelligent to talk with over dinner."
***
"Just what was it you felt, at the merchants home, Lij?" Dom asked when they were back in the safety of the tavern room.
Lij accepted the cup of well watered wine, and sipped it thoughtfully. "I really do not know, Dom. That it was an unhappy household I felt as soon as I went in - remember how I felt at the Palace of Zardis, in Hyksos?"
Dom nodded. He remembered only too well how disturbed Lij had been in that luxurious dwelling - only to discover that Zardis would have no social or sexual contact with anybody without practically beating them into unconsciousness every day. No-one was exempt. His wives, his children, his concubines, his bed-boys, servants and slaves alike suffered under his heavy hand, and the whole place had an air of fear about it.
"Well, it was not exactly like that - the feelings at the merchants were not so strong, but I had the distinct impression that there were several unhappy people there. I do not know why this feeling comes to me, but when it comes it is most - insistent, perhaps is the word - it be recognised."
Lij put down his cup. "Come, my love - there are better things to do than talk about misery. Come and kiss me - I would have you, if you please, before we sleep for an hour."
Dom smiled, and joined Lij on the bed. "Now, when have you ever known me to refuse your love?" he murmured, taking his spouse in his arms, and kissing him.
The needy sound Lij made in the back of his throat as Dom's lips touched his was all that was needed to bring him to complete hardness. Dom tightened his grip.
"After all this time you can still drive me to the edge of madness, my love," Dom breathed in Lij's ear, trembling, as he now was, with the strength of his desire.
Lij's laugh was shaky. "There is no-one else in the world that makes me feel as you do. I have wanted no-one else since the day I first saw you."
"Take me - take me now, Lij. I need you..."
And when Lij was buried deep inside him, Dom felt, as he always did, a sense of deepest unity with his love, and when he came it was with the same joy.
They slept for an hour in the heat of the afternoon, and then bathed and dressed. Armed with the merchant's purchases, they hired a servant boy at the inn to carry the parcels, and making one short stop on their way, appeared at the appointed hour, dressed and oiled, at his front gate.
The gatekeeper recognised them immediately, and glanced approvingly at them, as they had exchanged their workaday garments for better ones, and the two men looked exactly what they were supposed to be - wealthy merchants with an easy life, and plenty of money to indulge it.
Djadao came waddling towards them across the courtyard, dressed in red silk, and smelling very strongly of the sickly perfume that Lij had disliked so much on him earlier. Lij saw that Dom, too, had wrinkled his nose fastidiously. It was far too heavy to be pleasant. The man was also sweating profusely, which added to the almost overpowering miasma of the perfume which assailed their nostrils as he approached them.
Overcoming their dislike was not difficult - they were used to hiding their emotions at court from those they did not wish to see them. They smiled broadly as he reached them, and offered him gracious compliment on his gown, which was so obviously of a Persian design.
Lij laughed inwardly as the man swelled with pride. As he ushered them into the house he told them where he had purchased it, from whom, and how much it had cost, all of which details were suddenly of paramount interest to his visitors, had he but known it, for he had purchased it, he said, at Tolan.
They were led into a large dining chamber, where a round marble table almost filled the room, and sitting on a bamboo chair to one side was a small, pale woman, dressed as richly as her husband, covered from head to toe in jewels, but with her mouth turned down at the corners in a perpetual sulk. Dom looked at her carefully - he could imagine her screaming at servants, and beating them, with no difficulty at all.
She nodded at them as they entered, but did not say a word as her husband introduced them.
Dom and Lij sat down in the places indicated, and the woman clapped her hands abruptly and servants came rushing in with jugs of iced wine.
One of the servants, Dom observed, was Rasui. But he did not look happy as he carefully poured out his mistress's wine. Lij was sitting next to her, and the boy poured for him next. Lij smiled at him and the lad grinned back happily. Removing the jug from Lij's cup he spilled a small drop of the red liquid onto Lij's white robes.
He said nothing - his face said it all, blanched white with fear. His mistress turned cold eyes upon him. "Come to my rooms after dinner has concluded," she said in a voice that would have frozen the wine in the cups. The boy bowed, and left the room.
Djadao adroitly turned the conversation and Dom and Lij joined in politely. Both men noticed that the woman said nothing unless directly addressed. Lij had asked her about her children, solely for something to talk of.
"I have no children. I employ other women for those purposes. I have no wish for them myself," she said, not even glancing at her husband. Lij could see that this subject embarrassed his host, so began to speak of other inconsequential things.
The food was excellent, and well prepared, as they had expected. As soon as she had finished eating, the woman excused herself and left. Dom looked at Lij - both men knew where she was going. When they glanced at their host again, it was to find Djadao looking speculatively at them both.
"I see you are men for each other," he said smiling at them. "Do not try to deny it, it shows in your faces. You have great love for each other."
Dom smiled. "We have no intention of denying it. Why should we? We are our own men, and can do as we please."
The merchant ran his hand over his face. "This is true - and they say that the God-Kings are likewise. And what man can do better than to emulate the rulers of our land? I, too, have a liking for men. I have recently made a new acquisition. He is wild at the moment, but I will tame him. I always do."
Lij felt his heart pound in his chest. He did not know why, but he needed to see this man.
"I expect you are a master at it - I would very much like to see you taming him, if it were possible. I have a great liking for such things myself, as does Dom, do you not, my love?"
Dom blinked, and followed Lij's lead. "Indeed I do. I find it fascinating to watch other men being...er... tamed. It is a particular pleasure of mine."
Djadao almost burst with pleasure. He rubbed his hands together in satisfaction as he rose from the table. "Then you shall see it; who am I to deny pleasure when it is so easily given? Pray, come with me."
They followed their host down the long corridor, past the door from behind which came the sound of screaming, and a stick hitting flesh, and a boy's sobs, down a flight of stairs until they came to a locked door.
Djadao drew a key from his belt and opened the lock, ushering the men in before him.
Both men fixed on their countenances the impassive look that they had perfected over years of ruling their country and dealing with men and women of all sorts and types, both good and evil. Nothing of what they felt appeared on their faces.
The room was empty of furniture but for a dirty woollen blanket on the floor, and a bucket in the corner. Chained to the wall was a man, tall of stature, with black hair, now greasy and unkempt hanging to his waist. He had been badly beaten, and probably otherwise assaulted, Lij thought, for he had a haunted expression in his eyes - but his face held a defiant look.
As Dom and Lij entered the room, Lij saw a flash of hope in those eyes, that was immediately veiled as the lids came down over them.
Djadao turned to Lij. "What, then, do you think of my prize?"
Lij smiled. Anyone acquainted with that smile would have backed away in fear, but this man did not know Lij.
"A prize, indeed. What is his name?" he said, turning to the chained man once more.
Djadao voice held an edge of anger. "That I do not know, but I will soon beat it out of him. Or I will obtain it from him by other means."
Dom moved closer to the prisoner. "I do not think that will be necessary. I am sure he will tell me who he is - will you not, my fine fellow?"
The man suddenly raised his head. Dom flashed him a warning glance and the grin that was forming on his face was extinguished.
"I will tell you my name, for you seem a merciful man. Will you free me from this creature, and take me away from this place?"
Djadao began to protest, but Lij put up his hand effectually stopping him.
"We are waiting to hear your name. Until then we can do nothing. Our hands are as tied as yours."
Now the grin appeared, regardless of Dom's warning.
"I am Ninus the Phoenician. Captain, friend and servant of the Gods," he said.
