The Fifth Beast (ManxMan Chinese/Celtic Fantasy Story)

Chapter 26

Among other banal instructions, such as "Don't break your word, don't commit betrayal", the guide suddenly quoted "Don't trust a white-haired slave", and it sent shivers down Niall's spine. The similarity between his plan and an old legend he had never heard before was surprising and a little frightening. There could be no doubt Fao had heard about Ershu's revenge on his master about a hundred times. And if he himself wouldn't see the similarity, someone else would. After all, it would be obvious to anyone for what purpose Yuizhen Faolan took home a handsome white-haired slave.

Of course, the deal wouldn't take place on the main square of Khanbaliq, and Fao wouldn't drag the slave he just bought on a rope tied to his kirin, as they did with captives in the songs. But his servants (the Yuizhen most definitely had servants!) would know. Life in others' castles and his own taught Niall that it was absolutely impossible to keep a secret with whom the master of the house slept. And a "white-haired slave" was clearly considered a bad omen.

On the other hand, if a male concubine of the great hero was so matter-of-factly mentioned in the song (and it was somewhat hinky what kind of relationship Tenghis had with the defeated leaders, if they later rebelled against him), then the Yuizhen wouldn't be looked askew at because of his tastes. Almost all the slaves that Fergus bought in Anzhou and was bringing for sale to Khanbaliq were quite handsome young men. No one would convince Niall that they were to work in quarries or in the fields.

The thought that Fao wouldn't want to buy him didn't even cross Niall's mind. Not that he thought himself irresistible, especially in this crude mortal form. But he remembered how Fao looked at him in Da Derga Mansion, and later in the tent, when Niall was defeated and bound. He remembered how Elatha Mac Lir looked at the illusion of his creation, and how his eyes betrayed the raw desire to keep Niall to himself for a while. Ailill Mac Rossa or Daire Mac Cormac would spare no silver, gold, or silk to buy a slave, who looked even a little bit like Niall Mac Nechtan, in order to do whatever they pleased with him. How could the proud barbarian chief resist, the one who so clearly hated the Tuatha Dé Lords for their power, wealth and long history of victories over their northern neighbors.

It is absolutely inconceivable that the arrogant Faolan Three Swords would be wary of his human slave. He wasn't afraid even of the Lord of Lightning in his full power. But still, the song "The Second Beast" left an unpleasant aftertaste. The kirins were capable of anything, and who knew if Fao's white wolf had the ability to advise him or assume a human form. Now it became obvious that the second beast wasn't just a mount. Probably that's why Fao was able to summon it inside the Shield.

There was no one to ask details. The guide was very reluctant to share knowledge with a slave. He answered through clenched teeth and generally looked down even on the merchants, not only on Finn the slave. When Finn the slave asked to teach him a few phrases that might come handy in bed, the guide made a face and grabbed his whip, so Fergus had to calm him down with words and even with a few coins, it would seem. Then the merchant folded his hands and practically begged Finn the slave to watch his tongue, because in the lands of the Kirinches, although it was quite all right to fūck slaves, it was bad manners to talk about it out loud, and the new owner would teach Finn any expressions he would see fit.

Niall couldn't wait for the caravan to arrive in Khanbaliq. He was tired of the journey and even more so of the need to pretend. He had to silently endure jibes, haughty remarks or contemptuous glances. Even Fergus' intercession felt like condescension.

If Niall still had his magic, he would never have maintained his role for so long. In the old days, the arrogant guide wouldn't be able to even touch his whip, before being introduced to the spell "lightning lash." Or "thunderbolt". But now, as soon as Niall felt enraged and tried to call forth the lightning, the silent emptiness immediately reminded him of the purpose for which he was enduring all this crap. No matter, the end of his suffering was near. Of course, if everything went according to plan.