Silver Tinted Love

So I hope everyone is enjoying this so far. I\'m still looking for reviews since I like to get other people\'s opinions. Once again, I don\'t own anything Dragon Knights. Just pegasus and my own ideas, yippe.

Warnings for this chapter: Death threats, violence (some), nudity (brief) and conversing with the dead...yeah that\'s it^^

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Chapter 2:

Rath was awake, well. Much to everyone’s enjoyment except his own. Rath was furious with himself and the others. They couldn’t understand. He had been possessed by the demon lord, he killed Alfeegi. He gravely wounded Lykouleon and Kai-stern…Kai-stern, the one whom he loved the most! Kai-stern had given his life just so that he could live again. Yet Rath didn’t want to live. He had never wanted to live. But he was living now.

Rune and Thatz were glad to have him back. And truth be told, he was somewhat happy to be beside them again. They told them that they did not care about his secret and that they accepted him. Though Rath couldn’t understand why. They also told him how bad things had gotten. Nonstop demon attacks, Cesia’s capture, and worst of all Ruwalk did not trust him. But why would he? I almost killed Lykouleon.

Actually no. That wasn’t the worst. The worst was something that was very new to Dragon Castle. Someone who was keeping an annoyingly close eye on Rath. He was delicate; when Rath first saw him he would have sworn it was a young girl. That was not the case. His name was Pegasus; Ruwalk said that he would be staying since he had nowhere else to go. Rath didn’t like him.

It wasn’t that the boy was trouble or anything. Quite the opposite. He was soft spoken, polite, helpful, respectful. Submissive even. That was the word Rath thought fit him best. He was a submissive, willing to do whatever anyone asked him. It bothered Rath. With his young voice and shimmering hair, he seem to fit in almost instantly. Some stranger fits in better than I do. And his eyes. Those deep azure eyes. Like stained glass. Those eyes frightened Rath. They were almost like open windows. Rath thought that if he stared into them long enough, he would fall straight through them and never find his way out again.

Now Rath stood, looking out over Draqueen. Wondering, questioning, wanting. He wanted Kai-stern back. Wanted to feel like he was wanted. Wanted to have Kai-stern smile at him or play with his hair. Wanted nothing more than to be away from all of this. He leaned against the edge with his chin resting in his hands. Rune and Thatz sat close behind him. They were worried. They wanted to help. But they can’t. No one can help me now…

“Heheh.” Thatz snickered. Rath turned to him. His red eyes looked over the ex-thief’s face.

“What’s so funny?” Rath asked. Thatz hopped off the steps and wrapped an arm about the demon’s shoulders.

“Don’t look now, but your one man fan club is watching you again.” Thatz smirked. Rath growled softly.

“Oh stop it.” Rune said. He blew a couple blonde bangs out of his eyes. “He’s not that bad.”

“He’s not following you around nonstop.” Rath grumbled. Thatz laughed.

“Its kinda cute. Like you have a little puppy or something.” Thatz said. Rath rolled his eyes. He looked behind him. Pegasus was indeed there. But what surprised him was that he didn’t hide his presence. The boy stood off in the distance, resting his hand against the edge and gripping the staff he never seemed to put down. Those strange eyes of his locked onto Rath’s; neither flinched. They stared. Rath’s red glaring daggers into those peaceful, creepy Azure windows.

“Cute? Its annoying.” Rath snapped. He pulled himself away from Thatz. “And I’m going to put a stop to it!”

“Rath be nice. The kid doesn’t have anyplace to go.” Rune called after him. Rath stopped for a moment.

“Well if he didn’t want to be yelled at then he wouldn’t be stalking me.” Rath snapped back. He stalked towards Pegasus. Pegasus did not move. He stood, leaning on his staff slightly, waiting for Rath to come to him. The Fire Dragon Knight felt it then. The closer he came to this silver haired youth, the less anxious he became. Almost calm. With each passing step, his anger and worry abated and was replaced by peace. It was strange. Wonderful, but strange. He looked down at him. Pegasus was only an inch or two shorter than Rath but that still seemed to be a lot.

“Yes, Rath?” Pegasus asked. Rath tried to remember exactly why he had come to talk to him anyway. He felt lost in those eyes.

“Why are you following me?” Rath finally asked. Pegasus smiled. Such a sweet smile.

“He asked me to.” Pegasus said softly. Rath’s eyebrow arched.

“He? Who? Ruwalk?”

“No…”

“Then who?” Rath demanded. Pegasus’ eyes fell to his feet. He looked uncomfortable. Shifting from one foot to the other, he rubbed his arm. “Well? Answer me.”

“…Kai-stern asked me to.” Pegasus whispered. Rath’s eyes rounded. Then narrowed to slits. His fists clenched. How the hell did this kid know Kai-stern, his Kai-stern!? And this made Rath wonder if Kai-stern had been planning this all along.

“What?! How the hell did you know him!” Rath snapped. Pegasus’ mouth refused to open. Those eyes just stared holes into the floors. In a rage, Rath grabbed the boy by the shirt. He was so light; Rath literally pulled him from the stone. “Tell me!!”

“He…He promised he would protect me…” Pegasus whimpered. “He…he said he loved me…”

Rath dropped him. The boy just crumpled and sat on the ground. Rath trembled. No…that can’t be right. Kai-stern said he loved me. Kai-stern loved me! How…How could he cheat on me! With, with this child!! Pegasus looked up at him. Those eyes…they drove into him. Rath stepped back.

“You’re lying…you have to be…” Rath hissed. The anxiety returned. “There’s no way Kai-stern loved you…there’s no way.”

“Please Rath…you must understand.” Pegasus began. Rath almost hit him.

“Not a word!! Not another word out of you! I don’t believe you, I won’t!” Rath yelled. He covered his face with his hands. No, No, No!! It can’t be true!! I won’t listen, I won’t!! He ran. His boots clicked loudly against the stones as he ran. Kai-stern, please tell me he’s lying!! Please tell me that you didn’t love him! Please!! Rath continued to run, didn’t look back. He didn’t even look back when the others called his name or when they rushed to side of the fallen Pegasus.

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A dream. He fell victim to another dream.

Pegasus fled. His boots crunched in the dead leaves of autumn and the dried grass of the oncoming frost. His harsh breath came out in white puffs in the cold. He was freezing. The gray cloak used to shield him from the eyes of others did not do much to protect his delicate body from the elements. Behind him, he could hear their fast footfalls. They were persistent. Hot tears fell, chilling before Pegasus got the chance to feel warmth.

Around him, the forest hissed at the pursuers. They screamed and howled in a language all their own. Branches reached out and struck them, roots tangled their feet. But still they chased him. Still they tried to drag him back. Pegasus was tiring. He was frightened. He didn’t want to go back. The forest was trying to protect him but it was failing. Pegasus did not blame the trees that longed to help him to freedom. They did their best, it wasn’t their fault.

The edge of the forest was near. He could see the dirt road, beaten and preserved with use. No, he couldn’t go to that. The trees wouldn’t be able to save him then. But where else could he go? What else could he do? Pegasus couldn’t fight back. He couldn’t let them take him back. The options all quickly dwindled to nothing. Please, someone help me!

No sooner had he pleaded for salivation in his head did Pegasus run into something. A someone. He fell, crashing into the cold hard ground. Shivered. His frightened eyes looked up at the man with snow white hair. The white eyes looked down at him shocked. With thin fingers, he pushed his glasses back onto his face. Pegasus breathed heavily. His heart was pounding. He was frightened and yet, strangely calm as he stared up into the face of the warmly dressed stranger.

“Hey there, you alright?” the man asked. So young, the voice was so young. He knelt beside Pegasus on the frozen road. “That looked like it hurt. You break anything?” Pegasus could hear the footsteps.

“Please! I cannot go back! Don’t let them take me back, I beg you!” Pegasus beseeched the stranger. His own thin and shaky hands gripped the man’s jacket. “Do not let them take me!” The man tried to pull back but Pegasus was clinging now. Desperate for help.

“What the hell are you talking about?” he demanded. The pursuers broke through the forest. A noose found its way around Pegasus’ neck. Not tight enough to hurt him but enough to force him away from his chance for salivation and to the ground. Tears dribbled down his face. He didn’t want to go back. “Hey!”

“The boy is with us.” One of them said. There was no emotion to the voice. He glared down at Pegasus. Pegasus knew how upset he was that he had had to chase him down, again. Pegasus’ stared at the stranger, begged him in silence for his help.

“What the hell are you doing?! Let the kid go! You’re going to hurt him!” he yelled. Pegasus tried to pull away. The noose became slightly tighter, a foot pushed down on his shoulder. Pegasus started to cry. “Damn it, stop!”

“This doesn’t concern you. Be gone.” The man who’s foot was on Pegasus’ shoulder snapped. He pulled Pegasus to his knees; Pegasus struggled.

“Like hell it doesn’t. Let him go!!” He yelled. Pegasus hadn’t been expecting it. They fought. The stranger defended him. Pegasus fell onto his side, shoved roughly from the fray. Deep eyes watched the happenings, how the man’s hair and eyes glimmered as he moved and fought. They were no match for him and fell quickly. Not one of them died. Merely knocked out cold. “Well, that’s that. The fuckers. How could they treat a kid like that?” he turned to Pegasus. Exhaustion was overtaking him. His head fell into the cold dirt. “Hey, you alright? Here let me get that off you.” The noose came undone. “There, that’s better.” His fingers brushed silver strands from the boy’s tired eyes. “Oh god, you’re freezing.” The jacket was warm. The man’s arms strong and soft. “Let’s get you someplace warm.”

Pegasus was comforted by the elder’s concern. Soothed by his soft voice and caring gestures. Even against the biting wind that whipped at him as the stranger ran, Pegasus felt warm in his arms. He breathed somewhat easier, let the exhaustion settle in his limbs and felt no anxiety over the strange racing of his heart. There was a town not too far away that the stranger ran to in little time. He must have been staying there because the innkeeper paid them no mind. The stranger carried the boy up the stairs to what must’ve been his room and sat him down on the bed.

“God you’re pale as death. You might be paler than me.” he laughed. Pegasus said nothing. He began to remove the man’s coat to return it to him. “No you keep that on. I’ll be right back.” He disappeared. Pegasus shivered in the warm coat, pulling the fabric tighter about him. It had a sweet scent. He liked it. “Can you stand?” the man asked when he returned. Pegasus tried and failed. “Easy now, that’s alright. You’re not heavy, no worries.”

He sat Pegasus down on the floor of the bathroom. Steam wafted from the warm water that was filling the tub. Pegasus’ head cocked to one side. He was confused. What was this man planning on doing? He turned back to Pegasus and smiled. The water shut off, the whole room seemed warmer.

“There now. Let’s warm you up.” He crossed to Pegasus. Pegasus shrank back, timid. A soft skinned hand fell to the top of his head. “I promise, nothing kinky. I swear on my honor as a dragon officer. I just want you to warmed up. Cleaned up.” Pegasus nodded, suddenly smiling softly at the honesty he could see in the man. “I’ll even turn around.” His eyes closed and he turned away from Pegasus. This man was very different.

Slowly, shakily, Pegasus stripped himself of his cold and stiff clothing. He shivered in the warm room, still cold from the running and the cold earth. Pegasus didn’t think he could force himself to his feet so he crawled. The clothing rested against the wall, folded neatly, and he crawled to the bath. The water was so warm; he eased himself into it and let out a loud, relieved sigh to feel it on his skin.

“Isn’t that better?” the stranger asked. There was a small chuckle to his voice. Pegasus nodded.

“Yes, Sir.” sighed Pegasus. His eyes closed and he rested his head on the edge. This was so wonderfully peaceful. Something pressed and rubbed against his shoulders. He shot up.

“Sorry, did I startle you?” the stranger asked. He was so very close, his hand clasping Pegasus’ narrow shoulder. A bar of soap was in his hand. Pegasus nodded. “Do you want me to leave?” he asked. Pegasus thought about it. He felt so much, well, better when this stranger was around. His head shook and relaxed again. “Alright.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“You keep calling me sir, why?” the stranger asked.

“…What else am I to call you?” Pegasus asked. The man laughed.

“Well how bout my name? Its Kai-stern.” Kai-stern said.

“Kai-stern…thank you…very much…” Pegasus said.

“Its alright.” Kai-stern said. Pegasus warmed up in the bath for almost half an hour. He bathed, ridding himself of the filth and his fear. Kai-stern kept a respectful distance away from him. He smiled and talked to him softly, checking up on him. “You done?”

“Yes, Sir…er Kai-stern.” Pegasus answered. He tried to rise. Failing again, he slipped and almost bashed his head on the edge of the tub. Kai-stern steadied him. Pegasus had almost forgotten that he was undressed and soaked. A blush rose in his face.

“Easy now. You must have been running for awhile. Here.” Kai-stern took a rather large towel and wrapped it around Pegasus’ now shivering body. Pegasus felt himself being picked up, being carried back into the bedroom and set down on the bed. “There.”

“Thank you…” Pegasus said again and rubbed his skin with the warm towel. Kai-stern chuckled slightly.

“Is that all you say? Yes sir and Thank you?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, I was only kidding.” Kai-stern said. Pegasus’ head nodded. Pulling a chair out from under the window, Kai-stern sat backwards on it. “Now, what’s your name?” Pegasus didn’t not reply. He wrapped the towel tighter around himself. “Well?”

“Pegasus.” Pegasus answered. The smile on Kai-stern’s face widened.

“Pegasus…?” Kai-stern pressed. He looked at the older man.

“Just Pegasus.”

“Oh. Cute. I like it.” Kai-stern said. Pegasus smiled somewhat. In truth, he did not like the name very much. How can you like a name that replaces the name you were born with? A name that is a mark of enslavement?

“It suits me I suppose…” Pegasus simply said. Kai-stern rested his head on the back of the chair. His eyes questioned Pegasus; Pegasus tried to tighten the cloth around him further. “Yes?”

“Why were they after you?” asked Kai-stern. Pegasus’ eyes fell to the floor. He drew his legs underneath him to hide his shaking knees. The desire to hide the truth was very strong but impossible. His heritage and position refused it.

“…I am their slave.” Pegasus answered softly. It felt like there was a collar about his neck. He trembled at the invisible bondage. “I…belong to them.”

“You don’t look like a slave to me.” Kai-stern said with an odd tone. “I’ve seen slaves before and you do not look like them.”

“I am not a typical slave…” Pegasus admitted. Tears threatened to fall. But crying was not an option for him.

“Oh? Then what kind of slave are you?”

“…I am a slave of Time. Of the Mages.”

“The Mages. I’ve heard of them, briefly. Their Time wizards, correct?” Kai-stern stated. Pegasus nodded silent. “I see. But they’re benevolent, aren’t they? Reclusive yes, but benevolent.”

“…Perhaps to others.” Pegasus shrugged. “But I am their servant…”

“Why? What makes you different from them?” Kai-stern asked. Pegasus looked towards him. His shields fell away. The mask that he kept over his eyes to prevent outsiders from knowing of his enslavement. Kai-stern stared into the true eyes; he shrank back suddenly. “Your…your eyes.”

“That is why I am different…”

“What are you?…” Kai-stern asked. There was a small tremble in his voice. Pegasus looked away.

“…A Purity.” Pegasus answered. The older man calmed somewhat. He looked at Pegasus strangely.

“A Purity…I’ve heard of those. A rarity, completely pure of heart, mind, body, and soul. But I thought that they were women.”

“…There are exceptions to every rule.” Pegasus sighed. “I am a Purity. It is in my bloodline…I cannot change what I am…so I am their slave…that’s just how it is.” sighed Pegasus. He rested his face in his hands. His eyelashes, long and thin like a woman’s, brushed against his pale skin.

“Sounds like you hate it.” Kai-stern said. Pegasus’ head cocked to one side slightly. Hate? What was hate? This was not a phrase he was familiar with.

“…I don’t like it…I don’t like it at all…” Pegasus answered. Arms wrapped about his covered shoulders. Pegasus’ head snapped up, staring into Kai-stern as he embraced him. It confused him, such an act. So far, everything he had done had confused him. He confused him so much, but it was a confusion Pegasus’ liked. “Why are you-”

“I’d dislike it too. What? Do they treat you badly?” Kai-stern asked. Pegasus did not want to talk about it. But as a Purity, lying was dangerous. It could strip him of everything. He could not lie. As long as Kai-stern asked him questions he could answer, Pegasus had to answer.

“If you mean violence, no. They are only violent when I disobey. And even then, they only subdue, never damage.” Pegasus paused and recalled how sore his shoulder and neck felt. “Well never permanent damage.” Kai-stern listened intently. “…I am a prisoner. They do not let me do anything. I cannot speak with others, I cannot go outside, I cannot learn, I cannot travel through the citadel or leave my room…I am their prisoner. Their slave. I am only useful so long as I can predict and control elements and time…I am a tool.” Pegasus drifted into silence. He felt sad again. That seemed to be all he had felt for so long.

“I’m sorry.” Kai-stern told him softly. His arms were tight and warm around him. “That does sound horrid…no one wonder you were running away.”

“…It has been like that for as long as I can remember.” Which had been a very long time. Since his earliest memories of childhood. Kai-stern’s white eyes looked worried.

“Wait. Do you mean…that running like that…that was your first time outside?”

“…Yes Sir. I could see outside from my window but…but I had never been outside before this.”

“You poor thing.” Kai-stern said. Pegasus felt it then. He hadn’t realized how badly he had been quaking. Kai-stern’s arms pulled him back into a warmer embrace; he could hear Kai-stern’s heart beating softly. A tear dripped down the smooth skin of his cheek; it felt strange to Pegasus’ touch and he fingered his own tears. He couldn’t remember the last time he had started to cry. “God, I can’t imagine what that’s like…being shut off from everything. Poor thing. Don’t know how you lasted this long. I probably would have committed suicide.” Death was something he had considered. And he had come so close but…

“I cannot.” Pegasus stated. Kai-stern looked down at him. “…My guardians will not let me.”

“What? So you don’t have control?? At all???”

“Not over myself…” Pegasus whimpered.

“No wonder you wanted to run away.” Kai-stern sighed. A small smile graced his thin face. “Well don’t worry. You aren’t going back.”

“I’m not?”

“Of course not, Pegasus. You said yourself that you didn’t want to. So I’ll make sure you don’t.” he smiled. He looked down at Pegasus who looked at him confused. “Unless you’d rather not travel with me. I mean you don’t have to.”

“…You’ll protect me? I won’t have to go back?”

“Not unless you want to.” Kai-stern insisted. Pegasus felt suddenly safe. He had not felt safe or wanted for years. Nuzzling against Kai-stern, he let the man’s arms encircle his waist. Pegasus‘ eyes drooped. “Tired?”

“Just a little…” Pegasus yawned. The blankets moved from under him and he found himself on his back, still wrapped up in the wet towel, with Kai-stern drawing the blankets over top of him.

“Then sleep.” Kai-stern said. Pegasus obeyed. He felt…so warm and so safe.

“Hey you ok?” Pegasus’ eyes opened at the different voice. He looked up at the two dragon knights. Thatz and Rune. He had just recently learned their names when Ruwalk introduce him to them. Pegasus tried to recall exactly why they were looking down at him. That’s right…I was talking to Rath. He got so angry. Kai-stern didn’t tell him…you didn’t did you? And then…oh that’s right…the “dream.” Thatz called again. “Hey! Stop zoning and say something!”

“Thatz stop that!” Rune snapped. He gripped Pegasus’ slender hand and pulled him up. Pegasus staggered slightly. He always felt wobbly after his “dreams.”

“Thank you, Rune sir.” Pegasus said softly. Rune smiled.

“Of course. You alright?”

“Yes, sir.” Pegasus said.

“What happened?” Thatz asked.

“I fell.”

“You must have fainting spells.” Rune smiled.

“…You could say that.” Pegasus said. He bowed low; again his bangs scraped the ground. “Thank you.” He turned and began to walk.

“Where are you going?” Rune asked.

“…For a walk. It will clear my head.” Pegasus said with a vague smile.

“Would you like some company?” Rune asked. Thatz folded his arms.

“No thank you, Rune sir.” Pegasus bowed again to them. “I wish you well on your mission.” Rune and Thatz nodded. They would be leaving soon, very soon. Now they just had to find Rath. Pegasus looked sadly down at his feet as he walked away. Kai-stern was gone. He missed him terribly. And Rath hated him now. I only want to do what Kai-stern asked of me. But how can I if Rath will not let me? What shall I do? Pegasus asked himself as he walked.

The sky was dark when he finished his walking and musing. He shivered in his cloak. Far off in the distance, he could see Rath, Thatz, and Rune leaving. Going to Kainaldia. Pegasus sighed and headed back to his room. A faint cry could be heard. Ruwalk. At night, when Pegasus was walking for his room, he could hear Ruwalk cry. Pegasus felt the man’s pain. He knew why he was crying. Having stayed for a few days he had figured many things out through the stories the place told him. Poor Ruwalk…

Pegasus stopped. His eyes opened wide. Something warm wrapped around his torso and limbs. A strange set of hands held his face. Pegasus listened. The voice spoke softly, asked him favors. Simple favors, but strange favors. However, Pegasus wanted to make them happy. It was part of him, the desire to make others happy. Part of being a Purity. Nodding, Pegasus succumbed to the will of the voice. His heart beat changed, slowed then quickened. Eyes closed then opened a second time. Different eyes.

“Thank you. Pegasus, yes?” he spoke. It was not his voice. “Are you sure about this?”

Mhm. Anything to make him happy. It is what I must do…it’s how I am.

“You do not know how much this means to me…Thank you.” He said. Turning back, he went back towards the room where Ruwalk was in now. The hand rested nervously on the doorknob.

There is no need to thank me…Alfeegi, sir.

TBC

oooooh alfeegi possessioness^^ hehehe this is fun to write. Tune into the next chapter to see what happens when Alfeegi and Ruwalk finally get to sit down and \"talk\" lol And of course read and review. This is a work in progress and I need the feed back^^