NaraSeth: A Historic Romance (MxM)

A Moment of Solace

มีบางคนในโลกที่ยับยั้งด้วยความอาย Few can restrain themselves through their shame of sin.

The art of archery was taught to him first by his grandfather or as others knew, his adoptive father. The first time he hunted, he watched as the deerling cuddled with its mother as it breathed last. An arrow that he hadn't left his bow; incompetent and cowardly; the King, his father had called him, as he shot the arrow. He had promised himself since then, through harm or not he'd never appear cowardly. The thoughts had him in a trance as his arrow staggered away from the bullseye. He sighed as Nakayama made his way into the training grounds. The worried look on his faces indicating that something was gravely wrong.

"Your Majesty, the treasury...", Nakayama spelt out, which left him alarmed. There was no exchange of words before the King, Commander and the guards marched towards the treasury. Thasit stood appalled at the empty crates.

"Her. Bring her to the training grounds", he spoke without a second thought. Naga frowned lost in thoughts, as he walked back to the confinement grounds.

The grounds were lit up with torches, the woman tied amidst the crowd of ministers and guards. Thasit walked down the main steps towards her.
"The treasury, you know who's behind it, don't you?" He asked to receive no response at all but a short chuckle which she immediately suppressed.

"Why? Why the treasury? Who wants me gone this time? Which kingdom is backing you? Ligor? Chaiya? Mua? The Burmese? Speak or you'll suffer with no end in sight!"

"Your end has already been scripted...", she managed to laugh as she uttered through a bloody mouth, as the rusted edges of the iron club burnt into her thighs. "..all you can do is wait for it".

Thasit clutched his chest as he felt the words stab at him and rushed out. Naga halted as he walked past the woman tied to a chair in the middle of the mud arena.

"Take her back in. I'll let the King know", he spoke and walked out, glancing at the woman once more.

...

The more he twisted his hands to free himself, the deeper the the splinters of the rope lodged themselves. He ignored his reddening wrist determined to make it out of whatever place he was imprisoned at. The reflection along the river of a dark shadow was all he could recall before waking up this way. He paused his movements as he heard the thuds of heavy footsteps. The black bag over his head came loose as he looked ahead to spot Subana along with his guard.

"You're up? I still don't know what about you charms the King so much. So much as to order a 1000 caning upon my son!" He clenched his fists looking towards his guard.

"I should have done this way earlier", he said as Nara watched the guard walk behind him with a thin rope in his hand. He gasped for air as the rope tightened around him, his fingers trying desperately to leap out of the bond and free himself. His vision darkened around the sides, like the room was folding in on itself. Crack. The sound of something hitting along the walls of the house made their way into his ears, almost as loud as a beaten gong. Each distinct sound that followed were crystal clear, although he had no vision.

***

A while earlier

"We have 10 of the 15 guards helping us. The rest are along the port and market looking for us. We'll use the main roads along the abandoned temple. Transporting there shouldn't be an issue", he spoke as others listened around the campfire. Their plans called for initiation since their helpers were being caught one after the other. Once they were done checking their weapons and transport carts, they came together once more.