The Age Of Arma Gedeon

Chapter 2, Urshawn

They keep a good pace until they reach the residental boundary checkpoint. Lauriah signs them out with the local knight. Then they ride on at a leisurely pace.

When they are for sure beyond ear shot, Lauriah teases, "Your boy is looking good."

Barade laughs, "Fresh from bathing, too. I swear he knows when I'm coming and does it to torture me. You made some progress with your lady fair."

Lauriah laughs hard, "Not really. A hot thick dish like that and single... she'll never go for a knight. She's holding out for a planter or leader."

"Maybe, but there's at least hope for you. None for me, I'm afraid. You heard him."

Lauriah teases with his tone, "Yeah, I heard him say men either. Sounded like equal status to me. Maybe play your trump card and have him."

Barade sasses, "Oh, sure.
"Well, Erray, everything I've told you about me, even my name, is a lie. Now, come and live in my castle with me so I can stop coming to copy and steal your letters and visit you."
He sighs, "I never dreamed I could get so wanting of a man."

"Well, my friend, the longer you play knight the worse it gets. You best tell him who you really are."

Barade shakes his head, "I can't risk it. What if he hates me for it?"

"He's the smartest man we know, he'll get that the Lorady can't just go visiting the natives. Give him a chance."

Barade snorts a dry laugh, "I just don't think he wants one. Would you?"

Lauriah laughs hard, but short, "Not with my best friend, but I'd go around in the sheets with another Lorady, just to find out how it work with you all."

Barade frowns at his friend, "Works the same, just nonproductive. We shift our genitals to suit the needs of the moment, but we can't make babies either way."

Lauriah snickers, "Sounds fun, but do you have tits?"

Barade pushes his shoulder, "I wasn't really offering, you walking testicle."

They have a good long laugh.
When it settles, Lauriah asks with a serious tone, "So, what do you want to do about our monk-like friend?"

"No changes. All knights are still ordered to check on them at every clandestine opportunity. We'll go back when he's turned in forty letters again."

They ride with only the sound of the wild forest for a long while, then Lauriah shifts in his saddle, "What if you give him something bigger than pens? He clearly gets that they're from you."

"Like what?"

"A horse."

Barade considers, "I guess it's believable that a knight can afford a horse."

"Not with the way we spend. That's the point. A mystery. Knowledge drives him. He's already got Barade figured out, as simple as an actual braid. Give him something to wonder about and he'll think of you. That's your beginning."

Barade thinks on it silently for a long moment, "I am worried of upsetting the status quo, but I'm also worried he'll grow old and died before I riddle out how to tell him who I am. I'll risk it. I'll buy him a Clydesdale and you'll take it to him."

Lauriah laughs, "Me? Why not we?"

Barade sasses, "Cause I'm the Lorady so I can chicken out when I want. Plus, it was your idea."

Lauriah's wordless fussing is interrupted by were-signal. They listen in silence as their nervous horses speed up their walking.

When it stops Lauriah translates, "Reporting a pair of men on the road. We better move."