Warning this post contains graphic and intimate descriptions of sexual character
Chapter Five
Intermezzo
Arn sat at the table in his father’s study, looking at the broken pieces of the staff, once a symbol of power, now merely two pieces of wood and a few golden fragments.
His father had left soon after they returned, and really Arn should have been heading home to his family, but he kept starring mesmerized at the broken staff, as if it held the answers to all of his questions.
Finally he got up slowly and went to the door, it was darkening outside and he pulled his cape closer, a sudden chill overcoming him. The news from the Emperor had him worried, the brother, Konstantinos?, was an unknown entity and the Turks, well the Turks. Time would tell. He had never met the Turks, not in combat nor in any particular capacity, but the stories of his childhood and the institutional fear of them in the army was a thing he was very, very aware of.
Arn followed the main roads home, even for an experiences soldier, alleyways in the city was not to be trusted after dark. Moments later he stopped in front of his house. He stood for a moment admiring it. It was newer than his fathers, and a little bit smaller, but he had a fair-sized lot behind that could be build on, and what most people didn’t know was the he owned both houses on either side, a sort of present from Sif’s parents.
Arn stood for a while lost in thought, contemplating how he would give the news to his wife, and wondering why it was that he had settled down in a way much like his father, same kind of house and a career in the army, strange how you patterned yourself after your parents.
Finally he stepped in to the lighted doorway and was greeted by a servant. Leaving his cape in the care of the man, he went deeper in search of his family. He found them all huddled in the small cozy living room in front of a newly lid fire, the first of the season. As his children rushed up to greet him, his wife shot him a look over their heads, wondering why he had been away for so long, and where he had been. Arn nodded subtly, indicating all was well, and he would tell her later. She smiled and nodded in understanding, the children would soon be sent off to bed with a favored maid and then they could talk.
Arn went down on one knee and hugged the two children, how fast they seemed to grow, his daughter the oldest, was nearly four, fought for a place in his lap by stemming her small feet on her three year old brother’s stomach. Arn couldn’t help but smiled as he scooped both of them up in his arms and carried them over to the fire. They sat together for a short while before the nanny appeared in the doorway, Arn nodded and she entered and led the protesting children away, he stood up and fetched a goblet,
“Do you want wine?” His wife nodded and leaned back on a huge pillow.
Arn took of his belt and sank down beside her, careful not to spill, sipping the good wine from the conquered areas. He wife leaned closer and took her goblet,
“So?”
“Well, as we feared, my father have been replaced as Marshal.” He paused and sighed, Sif, didn’t speak, merely reached up and touched his chin.
“It’s not as bad as it sounds, my father remains general and his seat at the Council, I remain in command of the New Army,” his voice trailed off.
“And the brother takes command of the other army and the entire forces of the Empire as Marshal?”
“Well yes and no, I still refer to the Emperor, and my father, well I don’t know, I had thought he would have taken this army, but the Emperor left the defense of this city unsolved, at least when old Filipo retires.”
Sif didn’t answer but placed her goblet on the floor and moved behind, Arn leaned back as she began rubbing his shoulders and let the day slowly bleed out of his body. For a long time nothing was heard but the silent crackle of the fire.
Then, as the fire grew low, Sif’s arms began to reach forward and stroke his chest, Arn smiled to himself and let the sensation flow through his body, nobody would disturb them, there was no need to latch the door. Slowly her hands became more daring, venturing below his tunic, he tried to turn, but her strong arms pushed him back, he smiled again and enjoyed the sensation, could feel her smile through her arms.
The fire had burned very low by now and Arn tilted his head back and looked deeply into her eyes, Sif smiled and offered her lips, Arn reached up and held her head, this time she didn’t resist, he kissed her deeply and then tried to reach her, to caress the treasures of her body, but it was awkward. She sighed and allowed him to disentangle, he carefully stood and threw a few logs on the dying fire, then he latched the door, just as a precaution and turned back towards the carpets on the floor.
He almost stopped dead in his tracks, Sif had managed to catch him off guard, using those few moments of inattention, while walking to the door and back.
She stood in front of the fire naked, in all her womanly splendor, only her hair let loose to partially cover her. He took one step forward, she looked like a creature of myth, as she stood there, glowing red from the fire. She was looking demurely towards the floor, but Arn knew it to be ruse, she was most likely smiling, under her hair. Silently he lifted his tunic over his head and approached her, stark naked.
She didn’t move, didn’t make a sound as he silently embraced her, their naked bodies meeting. Slowly he put his arm around her and with his other hand lifted her head. Her hair fell away from her face and she had closed her eyes, but Arn could see the mirth bobbling inside her.
He kissed her again, slowly at first, on the lips, on her brow, then slowly he leaned down and kissed her neck, craning her neck she murmured low sounds of pleasure as he kissed her throat and the nape of her neck.
Arn carefully broke the embrace and kneeled holding her, their bodies exactly not touching, slowly his lips moved down over her body, her shoulders, her back, slowly, ever so slowly he covered her with soft kisses.
At first she didn’t move, savoring, drinking in the sensation, enjoying his lips and coarseness of his stumbled chin on her soft skin. Then as the tingling of her skin grew unbearable she tried to direct his head, but to no avail. She raised her arms and started caressing his body, tracing the muscles as the twisted under her hands, moving along the ridges of the scars that covered his body. As his lips reached her stomach, skipping her longing nipples, she could feel her muscles involuntarily contract in anticipation of what was to come. She leaned over and as he had to go down on both knees to lick her navel, she reached down and traced his spine with her tongue.
Feeling her tongue dart up and down his back caused him to shudder with pleasure, with a low groan he slid behind her and pressed his hard body against hers, grapping her breast firmly with both hands.
Sif almost whimpered with delight, letting her hand trace up to his neck pulling his head forward for a kiss and the other reaching back grabbing him pulling him closer. Arn squeezed her carefully, and felt her legs grow weak below her. Slowly he lowered her to the carpet and laid down beside her, she slid onto her back and opened her eyes looking deeply into his.
Arn felt something burst inside him, like always and reached over to caress her body, she stretched like a cat and opened up, inviting him to explore. Slowly he rediscovered the hidden parts of her body, taking pleasure in seeing her loose control and enjoying his touch.
Finally on the brink of being carried away, she pushed him away forcefully, surprised he let her do it. She smiled wickedly and pushed him onto his back. Slowly she took him in her hand massaging, before finally opening up, climbing atop his body she lowered herself unto him, covering them both in her hair.
*****
They both had dozed of, floating in the aftermath, drowsily caressing each other until their limbs had grown heavy. The fire had long gone died leaving only a few embers to glow weakly in the ashes, when Arn awoke.
At first he didn’t know what had disturbed his slumber, perhaps he was getting cold? Then he could he a distant pounding, as if somebody was hammering on something. He sat up, careful not to wake Sif. There it was again, somebody was pounding on the gate, moments later he could hear movement in the house, somebody had gone to inquire, he shook Sif, in moments they would try the bedroom, then here, unless it was a mistake.
Drowsily they dressed and Arn kicked the embers together and lighted a small oil lamp. Moments later a low tapping on the door could be heard. Arn opened and revealed the trusted Major Domo and behind him an unknown man, bearing the Emperor’s insignia. Arn felt an eminent dread coming from this messenger, and he never paid heed to the old servants excuses.
Quickly he dismissed the old man and ushered the guest inside, closing the door behind him. The man looked at Sif, but on receiving a nod from Arn he produced a small seal, indicating he was indeed an Imperial courier.
Arn gestured for the man to continue,
“I have come from the Emperor himself, tonight the Turks have broken our treaty, we must expect them to declare war before dawn, please return to your army and ready it, yours are the only army within reach of the city. Once you are sure of your army’s status, you are to return to the city for consultations, no later than three days from know.”
Having delivered the message the man’s face softened, “I have delivered the same message to your father and the commander of the city defenses, and a fast ship have left for Morea and the new Marshal. I’m sorry that we had to live to see this day:”
