Dealt a Cruel Hand in Life

Last time

“I know love, I love you too Ryo” And he stroked Ryo’s back pulling the other body to him and taking deep breaths; trying to calm both of them down at once.

This time

Light filtered through the tall windows in thechamber to the bed, landing upon the face of the chestnut blonde. “Awww… I’m still tired” he murmured and turned in towards Dee to hide from the sun. The boys shared an embrace as they slept; neither willing to let the other go even in their state of unconsciousness.

“Hello?” A new voice called and knocked on the door “Your highness, it is time to get up”

Ryo groaned and groggily sat up. His shifting awoke Dee and both looked to the disturbance coming from the other side of the door.

“Who is it?” Ryo called, he really didn’t feel up to another day just yet.

“Mother, your grace, to run and prepare your bath” Both boys sighed in reliefwhen they heard who it was. They were safe for now since Mother was a good friend and already knew about the boys’ relationship.

‘You may come in Mother” Ryo made sure the bed sheets covered both Dee and himself at least at the waist.

“Good morning your Grace, Good morning Dee. I trust you both slept well.” Mother entered the chamber and closed the door behind her.

“Mother, I told you there is no need to address me so formally. You are practically family and you are my elder.”

“I know dear but old habits are hard to break.” She walked across the room to the private bathroom in the camber and began to prepare the bath.

“Dee” Ryo poked at the half asleep boy next to him.

“Shhh... I’m sleeping” Dee whispered and rolled over so his back faced Ryo.

“Dee, Come on, get up. Plus I was thinking we could head out together today.”

“Why head out together when we can stay in together. Here. In bed” Dee rolled over and threw himself on top of Ryo.

“Dee, you glutton. Stop. Mother is just in the other room.”

“Oh don’t mind me boys I’m quite done here anyway. I’m off to the kitchens to see how breakfast is coming along. Have fun you two but don’t get into too much trouble.” She winked and walked past them out the door closing it behind her. Ryo watched her walk by the bed his face flushing in embarrassment and slight horror. He couldn’t believe that mother had seen him like that. Here. With Dee!

“See Penguin doesn’t mind. Come just a quick one before Breakfast.”

“No Dee! Besides I feel gross still from yesterday. We were to tired to clean up.” Ryo managed to squirm himself out from underneath Dee. “I don’t know about you but I’m taking my bath.”

“Okay, okay you don’t have to twist my arm I’ll join you in the bath.” The chestnut blonde rolled his eyes and left towards the bathroom. Awhile later Dee and Ryo were walking done the hall towards their duties for the day. Dee had borrowed some of Ryo’s clothes since they were only a year apart and pretty much the same size. He was dressed in a tight black long sleeve shirt under a burgundy vest with thick cotton burgundy pants. Dee carried a rapier at his hip for he was Ryo’s right hand; to protect him at all times at all costs. Ryo was dressed in forest green silk with a silver trim and black pants with green touches. On his hip was the ever present long dagger. The prince had been instructed in how to protect himself with it and to carry it at all times. Dee escorted Ryo to his first class of the day.

“So are you up for a day outside the walls? Its been awhile since we’ve seen the monkey and the princess.”

“Yes. I’ll meet you at the regular place. After my morning classes and we’ll be back before nightfall for astronomy.” The dark haired boy sighed at his companion. Ryo would never willingly miss a class no matter how much he hated it. They had come to the athletic hall of the castle. Dee stepped in to the room Ryo following after. The room was a large hall lined with many different weapons along the walls and mats on the floor. Together they greeted Ryo’s combat teacher “Good morning Master Kenshi”

“Good morning boys. You may leave to your duties Dee”

“Good day then Master Kenshi. I’ll be seeing you later you’re grace.” Dee bowed to the both of them before turning and exiting the room.

‘To day yourMajesty we will work on hand to hand combat one on one. Then once you master this we will add more opponents.”

“Yes Master Kenshi.”

“You may choose your weapon from the wall behind you”

Ryo turned to the wall behind him. This wall held mostly mundane weapons. The goody but oldies. There were whips, axes, staffs, and many others of the sort. The chocolate eyed boy chose a plain quarter staff for it was his favorite. He turned to his Master and took a defensive stance. Master Kenshi smiled at the boy. He was a fast learner and very promising student.

“Are you ready?” Master Kenshi took an offensive stance and cleared his face of any emotion.

“Yes” came the short reply with a quick nod.

The Master nodded and with a deep breath shouted “BEGIN!” And so the class went until Mother came to tell him it was time for his next class. Ryo’s schedule was full; first was combat then Meditation, Language, Geography, Arithmetic, Politics, History and Alchemy. Ryo did extensively well in all his lessons. He really didn’t have any talent in alchemy but it was required he understood it. Dee also had classes on the other side of the castle. In the morning he had meditation then sorcery, spell casting, alchemy, magic history, and combat last. After these classes there was abreak in which the boys did whatever they pleased. Most of the time they scaled the castle walls dressed as peasants to play with the other kids in the streets. Ryo cherished these times when he could forget his obligations to a nation and enjoy his age with others rather then just himself and his lover.

After his alchemy lesson Ryo went to his room to change. He had some street clothes that Dee had procured for him. The material was thick enough to stave off the autumn chill but thin enough to not feel uncomfortable. He placed on a plain cotton shirt under a blue long sleeved shirt that ended mid thigh. Leather pants covered his legs and a deep blue wool cloak with the hood up so no one in the palace would recognize him too soon, finished the outfit.

The prince walked quickly with purposeful steps to the meeting place in the garden behind the castle. There he saw Dee also dressed in muted colors; so as to not draw attention, standing beside a tall tree.

“Ready Lieon?” Lieon is the draconic name that is to be given to Ryo when he is crowned king. The tradition of names was part of the agreement with the Dragons for the kingdom. Whenever they left the castle walls together Dee always called Ryo Lieon since not many knew the princes dragon given name and his nick name was too intimate to tell just anyone.

“Yeah, let’s get going.” The blonde looked up to the old oak tree with browning leaves standingnext to the castle. The tree had strong limbs ripe for climbing and grew towards the thick wall surrounding the castle. The boys climbed up to the branch closest to the wall and made a small hop on to the wall. Then once they saw that no guards were watching they jumped to a column on the other side and slid down.

“Dee. Where are we meeting the others?”.

Dee began walking and Ryo followed his lead.

“At the river by the market place. Stay close Ryo it’s always crowded here at this time.”

“Don’t worry so much Dee. I can defend myself just fine.”

“Yeah yeah, I know but if you even find the need to draw your dagger in the first place the king will have my head.”

Ryo gasped in shock at the very idea of Dee being taken from him. “I’d never let my Uncle do that. Queen Elena wouldn’t allow it either she knows how important you are to me. You are to be the future king’s advisor and magician after all.”

Dee laughed “Yes of course there is always that.”

The two boys set off towards the river near the market chatting all the while. They didn’t happen to see the suspicious looking man in a dark cloak trailing be hind them at a leisurely pace.