Part LXVII

For a brief moment Joel was thinking intensively what to do. Lord Morrice was, after all, a good friend of Mikael. So they are on the same side, right?

"Lord Morrice I am really pleased to meet you, you see the little duke is in the forest. We need to find him." That's right, let's draw his attention to the little one.

"Too late, I already got him. He is safe and sound in my camp. Now join me, my …Lady?" He smirked in a way that wasn't at all enjoyable to watch. Joel followed the Lord all the way to his camp.

"I need to see the little duke." Joel demanded as soon as he got there.

"Sure, the blue tent on the left." Morrice pointed him in the direction. "Guards accompany him to the duke's tent and then bring him to mine.

Joel, without uttering a single word, went to the blue tent. Nat was sleeping soundly. He was cleaned, dressed properly and placed on a comfortable bed. Joel was watching the small child and was pleased that they actually made it.

"My Lady, .. sir we need to go back to the Lord." He was rushed by an awkward guard. Right, there was not a single chance to run away or lengthen his stay here any more. Joel sighted and obediently followed the guard.

Morrice's tent was the biggest, equipped with basic furniture and one decent bed. In the middle there was a big wooden tube filled with steaming water.

"Everybody, leave." Lord's command swept all the guards and two servants away. Lord Morrice looked at Joel still in the maid's clothes.

"Undress and get into the tube. Do it slowly." He sat down on a comfortable chair with an expectant expression.

There was no point in dragging the unavoidable thing. Joel started taking off his clothes for a moment, he wanted to challenge the Lord with his bold gaze but quit the idea. That seemed to be even more exciting for the black lord. But naked he went into the tube. The water felt wonderful and Joel was happy to relax even if it was for a few minutes. He dunked his head and started to soap his hair meticulously.

"My Lord, may I ask you a question?" He said meekly.

"Sure, go ahead." The Lord was watching his every move while drinking some wine.

"How's Mikel doing?" Joel intently used the duke's name to remind Morrice of his ongoing relationship.

"He's fine. The king is finished. Kidnapping the little duke was the last chance for him to win over the duke. But his attempt failed. The king's head rolled." He said bluntly.

For a few seconds Joel froze, they just killed the king. He was intensely thinking about what that meant for him and the rest of the citizens.

Lord Morrice stood up and came closer to the tube.

"Don't stop, keep going."

Joel immediately came back to reality, he dunked his head again and washed the soap off his head. He was ready to leave the tube but there was on towel.

"My Lord, where is the towel?"

"There." Lord Morrice pointed to the bed. Joel stood up and swallowing his shame left the tube and grabbed the towel, he was still drying himself when he felt that the lord was close behind him, too close.

"My Lord, you know I'm with Michael." Joel said quietly.

"I know, that's a pity. However I'm not going to taste you tonight, I want only to feel your warmth."

That night Joel wrapped in sheets was trying to fall asleep in the lord's embrace. Morrice was spooning him tightly and pressing his thing against Joel's but. He could feel Maurice's hot breath on his neck. It felt tingly. Finally Joel fell asleep as he was physically and mentally tired from all what happened. Joel woke up at noon, the Lord was gone and he noticed that there were black clothes on the chair next to the bed so he got dressed. As soon as he got out of the tent he noticed that everybody was running hastily like a bunch of ants in a dug up anthill.

"What's going on?" Joel asked some random guard.

"The king's coming!" The guy replied and hurried to the rest of the guards lining up in neat rows.

For a moment Joel was in shock. Didn't Morrice just tell him that the king was killed? Joel was dumbfounded and lost for words. The black Lord was nowhere to be seen. Joel decided to check on the little duke, after all he was still responsible for him till Michaelwill come back.

"Hi Nat." He greeted the little one as soon as he entered.

"Joel!" Nathaniel ran up to him with stretched arms. "I'm happy you are alive, I was waiting." The child tightly hugged him and Joel felt happy. He managed to save that child.

In the distance they heard horns, informing that somebody important was coming. Joel grabbed the child's hand and went outside. The small camp was cleaned, The tents were closed and the guards were standing with puffed chest looking both serious and proud. Lord Morrice, clad in black long coat, was standing in the middle with an expectant look.

The advance guards came first, holding pennants, behind them in a rather close distance a man clad in maroon clothes was riding on a magnificent black horse. Joel quickly recognized that figure and that face.

It was Michael.

The black lord dropped on his knee and so did everyone else. It took Joel a moment to follow their example.

Michel jumped off his horse and the little duke screaming dad ran to him. Michael hugged his son and lifted him up.

"My brave little son." he hissed Nat's forehead.

"Please stand up." He addressed them.

"I should be the one kneeling in front of you for saving those close to my heart." Saying that Michael glimpsed at Joel who suddenly felt very hot not daring to look at that man again. He was the King now.