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This day came earlier than Ištván expected. Supplies ran out. Everyone was responsible for their own supplies. He refused to raid merchants who were expected with goods. The market season was approaching and the mysterious disappearance of a number of merchants would have revealed their entire operation. The argument of raiding one wagon with goods didn’t work - Tóth quickly objected that raiding one wagon was definitely not enough to supply a group of twenty men for several days, at best. At least three wagons would have to be taken, and that was already very risky if they didn’t want to attract attention.

Therefore, the order was given to every man: hurt for himself. Another unnecessary raid was thwarted and von Bergow could at least have peace during the fair. This still didn’t solve their crisis situation – three days in row they were on water and leftover bread. Tired and starving. A combination that Tóth wanted to avoid at all costs during his forced stay among Wenceslas fanatics. Unfortunately, the situation was inevitable with a commander like Žižka. There was no choice, they had to deal with it themselves.

Fortunately, during his inconspicuous trips between Nebakov and Trosky, when he was passing on information, Tóth noticed a clearing hiding forest fruits - strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and even edible mushrooms. For a start, that would be enough for them to get ready to hunt. The forests belonged to von Bergow, so he himself was personally allowed to hunt in his forests if the situation required it.

They set out hunting early in the morning, so that no one would follow them. He was not going to share such a crucial place that was supposed to save them from starvation. Especially not when the certainty that the clearing would have enough fruits for two was very small.

Erik got himself a bow with twenty arrows and poaching tools that he stole himself a long time ago. The tool on which he had learned to hunt rabbits and chickens as an inexperienced boy. As usual, Ištván did not lend a hand, he provided a possible place where they could start hunting and find at least some supplies for a day or two.

The journey to the clearing took less than an hour. It was a pleasant journey through almost untouched nature. Any paths were made by animals. They talked quietly along the way so as not to draw undue attention to themselves. They wanted to avoid that at any cost, arguing with poachers about who was there first and threatening each other to report him to the nearest bailiff.

”And how would we get rid of them? Those poachers or hunters. You said to avoid unnecessary deaths if possible.” Erik noticed the markings on the tree. A pine twig hanging on a yellow ribbon on a birch branch. They were passing by the local hunter’s post. He could watch them. “Are you sure we’re on the right path?”

“Are you nervous? We’re just passing through. We have nothing to hide. Besides, I have the privilege. Anything in this forest is at my disposal.” Said Tóth confidently.

“Oh, so you want a bow? I haven’t seen you shoot in a long time.” A slight prod earned Ištván a disdainful look over his shoulder.

“Haha, don’t be ridiculous. I haven’t held a bow in months, I’d only dare to use a crossbow.” His ears pricked as the wind brushed against their backs. Only now he realized that his chaperone was still held captive by his young man, majestically wearing it like a hood. Although Erik was dressed in white with touches of red, like a knight on a white horse, the black highlighted his hair and the slowly sprouting freckles on nose under the direct spring sun. Perhaps in time he could wear touches of his color to connect with him. Make them inseparable. Later. “You shoot. You still have a lot to catch up on.”

"Oh, come on! I beat Runt in every archery competition..." thanks to his remark, both of them got bogged down in a well of memories of some men they could call their friends - Runtwas one of them. The guy, like a mountain, hated Erik to the core when Ištván brought him to camp. He saw him as a thorn in his ass and didn't believe that the village brat would last a week. He trained him the hardest of all his apprentices and as one of the few, he not only endured, but also learned. Over time, they developed a friendly-enemy relationship between them, which always resembled a sibling dispute when it came to Ištván’s attention. One tried to be indispensable, the other wanted to keep his place. Fortunately for Erik, Tóth had a soft spot for him from the very beginning, he just liked watching his dogs tug with each other and his master's attention.

The young man didn’t want to admit that he missed the brute. His methods of teaching fighting, swordsmanship, and survival were appalling, and he didn’t like to think about them. Some of their arguments ended in a fight that Ištván himself had to shut down, otherwise they might have killed each other. But at the end of the day, he was a good guy. Despite all the negatives, which outweighed the positives. “Do you think he suffered for long? In Pribyslavitz?”

"He died as a soldier. He could not have achieved a greater honor." After a minute of silence, which was due to Runt, for his services and loyalty, Ištván emphatically uttered a sentence that the young man would never have expected from his mouth, "I'm glad that he was the one who taught you. Even though he was a stubborn brute, he had discipline that he hammered into your head. And to others who endured. There are few like him. Appreciate his teachings that he passed on to you. You may be the last of his apprentices who can still pass them on. May his soul rest in peace."

"Amen..."

The gloomy mood did not last long. After a few meters, they finally stepped out from behind the dense bushes into that sacred clearing. It was indeed a place hidden deep in the forest, on which a few rays of sunlight fell. Thanks to the inaccessible location and a little luck, a number of blueberry, strawberry and even blackberry bushes could grow on the clearing. It was a paradise for sweet teeth, all that was missing was a beehive with quality honey - Erik would have loved to have that.

They were welcomed by Erik's growling stomach, which he had hidden in vain under his armor. Ištván could not help but smile. He was also hungry himself, but he preferred the stronger of the two and therefore needed more resources to replenish his strength.

"Don't gobble it up and leave us something for the next few days. We may not get behind the walls for a long time."

So much food in a hidden place. Apart from the beehive, the only thing missing was a stream with clean water. That would give this place a real crown. Immaculate, a jewel for life. Spending the night under the open sky was not as scary a thought as it first seemed. They were surrounded by thick bushes and tall trees for a long distance. A tracker might be able to spot them if they weren't careful along the way.

“Luck of the devil that no one else came to this place.” Erik, with blue lips, munched on wild blueberries while sitting on a mossy stump. He went back to his early childhood, when he regularly searched the surrounding forests around Nivnice, looking for anything good to eat. After so many years, it was no different again, but now he could rely on his companion, who was not only his mentor and sponsor, but also his protector and lover. Everything in one package with a bow on top - well, without a bow. He had a chaperone folded into a hood around his shoulders.

Without the linen crown that spoke of his wealth and status, Ištván looked… ordinary. His face was still as handsome as ever, but that ordinariness gave him a certain charm. His wild brown curls waved in the wind, suggesting a youthful and carefree appearance. No visible difference in hierarchy, rank, power - they were equal.

Tóth had repeatedly convinced him that they were equal forever, regardless of title or wealth. In this unkind world, they were together at the bottom of the food chain if the dignitaries or the church found out about their perverse relationship.

Suddenly Erik lost his appetite, although he was not yet fully sated. A handful of blueberries and strawberries remained in his palm as he looked around sadly. Ištván noticed him immediately. He said nothing, quietly got up and stood behind Erik. He leaned on his broad shoulders and leaned forward.

"What's with that unhappy expression?" The lips and corners of his mouth painted a soft blue on his pale face, matched Erik's blue eyes beautifully. He tried to wipe his lips with the tip of his thumb, but it didn't change anything. He reminded him of a small child happily stuffing himself with berries…perhaps he saw himself as a child there, when he could only afford to be a simple happy child back then.

“I’m just thinking.” Erik replied dejectedly. He offered a handful of his blueberries. Ištván took two. “I have a bag here, I’ll collect the leftovers for us.”

He tried to stand up, Ištván push to his shoulder to keep him sitting. “The food can wait,” then he patted his shoulder blades. They rumbled. “I have a better idea, come with me.”

They moved to a mossy meeting place, where the sun’s rays were shining. A place like from a fairy tale. Ištván sat down first, his legs wide apart, “don’t be shy. You know your place.” With a furrowed brow, Erik obeyed and sat in front of Ištván, almost as if on his lap. If he really sat on his lap, he would probably break his pelvis under his weight. "Before you lie down, make a chaperone out of your hood and put it on your head. Come on, don't give me that look." When he was a little brat he suffered from nightmares, which was why he sometimes couldn't sleep at night. Tóth then came up with a clever way to get Erik to sleep. He let him fall asleep next to him or in his lap, so that he had constant contact. The feeling of loneliness and the fear of abandonment were what Erik feared most. Even in his sleep, his fear tried to control him.

"You know I shouldn't wear it, I'm not-"

"Noble, worthy, what if someone sees us- blah blah blah. I want you to have it. It's my request, my order, do it and don't complain." With a chaperone on his head that didn't belong to him and never would, and with the expression of a hurt child, he carefully leaned against Ištván's soft body in a half-sitting position. "Good boy."

He liked it when Štefan called him his good boy. It always made his stomach and then his crotch tingle so pleasantly.

And nothing happened. Erik looked ahead or into the treetops. Ištván ruffled his face, touched his arms and gently tapped his chest plate. The leather gloves were rough and had their iconic scent - a combination of expensive leather, lavender oil and... Štefan. A blind man would recognize his gloves near his face.

"Are you still jealous?" Erik asked. He didn't like the silence, he wanted a little drama.

"I'm not jealous." Ištván defended himself haughtily. He was not going to admit his failure not only in controlling his emotions, but also in his judgment.

“Say what you want. Your little performance has given you away.” It was a heartwarming realization that Ištván was so worried about him. From the eagle's nest, as they nicknamed the parts of the spot hidden in the shadows, he was watching and keeping an eye on him. Erik should have been outraged to find out that his beloved didn’t trust him or immediately suspected him of infidelity. Erik saw the exact opposite in it - deep affection, fear for his existence and health. And mostly the possessiveness, which only reeked of Štefan.

The feeling of being owned filled him with a sweet sense of victory. Erik was the winning horse, the favorite fighting dog, the most favorite lover with whom his lordship shared not only time and bed, but also weaknesses and secrets.

“So, you didn’t like my modest performance?” he lifted the young man’s chin. He wanted to see how his pupils shrank.

“I was surprised and…flattered.” A small blush began to dance on his face. Ištván couldn’t help but smile like a fox.

“Would you like a better performance with a guarantee of bliss?” Such an offer could not be refused. Here and now? In the middle of nowhere, a quickie? Štefan was offering himself? Was this Erik’s lucky day? He didn’t even have to answer, his enthusiasm spoke for itself. “Then by my rules.”

“H-Hey!” He pulled the chaperone over Erik’s eyes and put the tip of it in his mouth like a gag.

"Just calm down. I'll take care of you, my dearest boy."

There was no doubt that this situation was exciting to Ištván. Erik felt not only hot under the armor, but also tight. His erection slowly grew and strengthened along with the uncertainty of what was happening. Fortunately, Štefan's voice was gentle and playful, as were his touches. They were more intense through the linen armor than through the plate armor, thus inducing a feeling of emptiness and possible escape. Hope he didn't stop touching him in the middle of the foreplay, did he?

"Hands along the body. You touch me and I'll stop. Then you'll go back with tent." He threatened him with a sneer. Erik only swallowed hard and nodded. In one breath, he untied his pants and allowed his slowly growing erection a little freedom. "Even little is enough, I see. Has it been so long since we indulged in our games or is it your youthful lust?"

Erik thought for a moment, twisting his hips in vain. The erection was starting to get uncomfortable when no one was interested in it. "You..."

"Me? You flatterer..." was the right answer, which guaranteed more touches in the desired places. Another layer of pants stood in the way of complete liberation. With this, Ištván tormented and teased him until Erik let out guttural moans. When he finally let him go, he shivered. The surrounding air was cold by summer standards. Too bad he didn't see that it was Štefan's work, because he was blowing cold air into his groin. He expected a magnificent and submissive reaction. "I wish you could see yourself, my boy. A pleasure to look at you. Is it just me that makes you harder and harder almost immediately? Is it my voice, my touch, or is it the uncertainty of being in forced blindness? Does having you in my power excite you, my dear?"

Erik shook his head desperately, only finding the words after a long pause, "Y-Yes..."

"Yes, who?"

"Y-Yes, my lord."

"That's a good boy. Keep it up and maybe I'll give you pleasure worthy of the king himself." One of the few rules during the games, when Ištván had complete power over Erik. In his role, the two not only had fun, sometimes they fulfilled silent wishes and requests that they longed to explore during intimate pleasures.

He took Erik’s length in his palm covered in a leather glove and with all tenderness he circled around the tip and until it gathered enough moisture for smooth movement. Erik sighed loudly with the tip between his teeth, digging his fingers into the moss. The intensity of excitement grew with the increasing pressure of the grip and movements. The sight hidden in complete darkness gave a feeling of despondency and inability to follow what was happening. Or at least see Štefan's face. Even under the touches of his beloved, he felt alone, in hopelessness, in unknown anxiety.

“Š-Štefan, I want to see you…please-”

”Hush boy. I’m here with you, you’re safe. I’m the one touching you. No one else will ever touch you. Do you know why?” Oh yes. Possessive and obsessive in every single word. In the honeyed words and warm touches, hidden dangerous qualities that could only come to the surface when it came to Erik.

The young man bit his lip, “Because I belong to you? T-To my lord?”

“Why the uncertainty? Do you doubt it?” he gripped him tightly. The rough surface on Erik’s most sensitive spot on his body made a decent gap. That’s why he stiffened in his hips and let out an unpleasant breath.

“No! I never doubt-ha!” perhaps in moments of bitter uncertainty and fear, a pinch of doubt was visible, but never longer than a few minutes. Doubts were directed more towards Ištván's person than towards Erik's behavior. After all, Ištván was no longer the youngest and years of vice had taken their toll on him. A young boy could find favor in someone...younger and more handsome. He had the choice - with his youth and beauty abounding, he could have anyone Erik pointed at.

"That's what I love about you, my dear boy. Your truthfulness will open doors where others will never step foot in their entire lives..."

The movements were partly slippery and firm enough for Erik's need to achieve excitement. Only when Štefan didn't tease him so much and added speed to the intensity. Those were slow and long movements, which were pleasant, but he would reach his climax in an hour at the earliest and Erik wouldn't be able to handle that. He didn't have that kind of stamina, let alone patience.

"Please..." Erik pleaded with tears starting to well up in his eyes. It had been too long and too intense. He couldn't control his body.

"What do you want, Erik?"

"Faster. Oh, please my lord, faster. I'm so close and so far..."

All movements and touches suddenly stopped. Had he said something wrong? Had he offended Štefan with his request? He began to panic. He couldn't touch Štefan, he didn't dare to. Suddenly, he was surprised by the fingers on his lips.

"Then open your mouth and let me give you the pleasure you ask for." He urged his companion with a honeyed voice. Erik opened his mouth as wide as he could and stuck out his tongue. He tried to provide as much moisture as possible, just so he could taste the sweet pleasure. The skin on his tongue had a very strange taste, the traces of lavender oil didn't add much of a pleasant taste. Erik, blinded by desire, ignored all other senses, wanting his suffering to end.

When Štefan's glove was sufficiently wet, a wild dance began without hesitation, with Erik in a strong grip. Exactly what Erik needed. There were rapid movements traveling over the tip along the entire length and speed, which forced the young man to make loud exhalations and even moans. Like a madman, deranged in his senses, he could not keep his emotions in check, the climax was approaching with every firm movement and Štefan was so merciful that he intended to grant him bliss without further conditions.

”Who owns you Erik?”

”Y-You, my lord!”

”I want to hear the name, boy.”

”Š-Štefan! My lord Štefan…T-Tóth.”

”Erik-”

At that fateful moment, Erik reached the desired climax. He arched his hips in convulsions and lifted himself off the ground until the excitement completely left his body.

And then there was silence with the gentle echo of Erik’s deep breathing. He was doing well. He had followed all the rules and conditions and was rewarded for his merits. Tóth's reward was the blissful expression on the young man's face. Ištván still had Erik in his hand - he didn’t fall behind in the art of satisfying a man. He was still able to serve very well. As a small bonus, he gave his boy a series of kisses on the cheek and in the hair, while he took over his chaperone.

"We should hunt some hares... do you remember your first attempt at hunting?" The exhausted young man could not even remember his name, let alone the oldest memories together. He had barely begun to perceive the light and sharpness of the environment. For Ištván, these were some of the first memories that he had stored forever in his thought palace. He liked to return to that memory - Erik and his first hunt.