Dreamwalker

33- Captain of the Rebellion

Crashing from outside and shouts floating through the air drew Soutine's attention to the window. When he left the bed and peered between the curtains, he could see people running to the western side of town-- citizens and soldiers alike. He furrowed his brow. Some of the yelling could be heard faintly through the glass. "Something is going on out there," he muttered.

"Come back to bed, love. Close the curtains."

"Wait-- I think--" Soutine watched a little closer. One of the tiny figures in the streets looked familiar. She wore a powder-blue dress and brandished a sword as she ran. Could it be the princess Aysal? Had they broken out of prison so soon to begin the war? Not just anyone could do that in such a short amount of time.

He felt a pair of arms wrap around his torso and lips kiss the back of his shoulder. "I'm sure it's nothing," Laurier slurred into his ear.

"This is suspicious. I think the commotion is coming from the jail."

"Oh?" Laurier rested his chin on Soutine's shoulder so he could look out the window too. Soutine could feel the heat of his breath on his neck. "Trembles and tremors. If only it could wait-- just a little longer--"

"These always seem to come up at the most inopportune times. And yet, I understand if you need to find out what is happening. It may be serious."

Laurier didn't say anything. He just let out another sigh and tightened his hold on Soutine. "I told you that I hate being king, didn't I?"

"More than once," Soutine chuckled.

"It's because I mean it. Don't make me leave, please? Let's stay here and hide away together instead. Forget all of the violence outside."

"I won't make you do anything-- I just don't want the kingdom to fall because of me."

"I suppose. However, whoever is causing trouble," Laurier said, "... I will personally ensure that they pay with more than their lives."

"I would expect nothing less." Soutine turned around so he could smile up into Laurier's face. "Now put your clothes on and knock some heads together."

"Responsibilities are highly overrated. If I were anyone else, I would take you right here and now, against this wall. And yet I must leave you again. Ah, Soutine, how my affection for you grows by the moment." Laurier kissed him and reluctantly let him go so he could get ready to leave.

"What do you think the matter is?" Soutine asked, sitting down on the bed and reaching down at the floor for the untouched bottle of wine.

"I don't know. It's probably that despicable carness causing trouble again."

Soutine was about to take a swig of wine when he put the bottle down. "What carness?" he remarked, trying to sound innocent and hoping that Judicael didn't know about his original escape plan.

"He calls himself Morie and he's caused trouble in Solancee for years. I'm sure he's stirring something up again. Don't worry about him, my dear."

Soutine decided that he did want some wine. His throat was terribly dry anyway. He uncorked it and drank straight from the bottle as Judicael continued, "will you be here when I return?"

"Yes, of course. Why would I leave?" he lied.

"You know, I like you this way."

"What way?" Soutine teased. "Passionate? Zealous? Submissive? Or did you have another term in mind?"

"I was going to say domestic. Don't patronize me, Monsieur Rigal, or you'll end up back in jail." Laurier smirked at his own joke while he tucked in his shirt.