Jale breathed in deeply.

This was the definition of bliss.

An evening in the town's bathhouse accompanied by his new favourite person, Drean. A week ago, the pair had struck a vigorous conversation over a jug of ale on the strategies of star barrel horse racing while Jale had been visiting the town's inn. They had been very good friends and lovers ever since.

Drean was a handsome man whose trade depended on his ability to entertain and sure enough, he had kept Jale entertained for hours with his stories of his travels, retold folk legends, his strong singing voice and dirty jokes.

The sound of men and women talking and laughing over the tinkle of a harp traveled through the gaps of the wooden pillars and walls of the bathhouse. It helped to create a warm ambiance, and the room that Drean had chosen, was more than adequate with a wooden massage table, a large bath and a heated concrete slab that was covered in blankets and cushions. Steam rose from the hot bath only a short distance away and the waft of incense helped to relax Jale's body, although that could have also been due to the jug of ale he had already finished off.

The bathhouse was full of both Keglan and Talbecan men. After completing his first patrol on the mountain, Prince Rathner had been more than happy to accompany Jale with two of his own Talbecan soldiers. He appeared to have handled his watch successfully with Jale's soldiers arriving to relieve them on time. Although the Prince's eyes had been downcast and dark the next day.

To make up for the cold and tiredness he must have been feeling, Jale had introduced the Prince to an exotic beauty named Delba. To Jale’s happiness, Prince Rathner had quickly become entranced with her sensual and sophisticated demeanor.

Jale let out a light moan, Drean's fingers working diligently into the muscles in his shoulders.

"I think I'm going to have to invite you to take full residence in my tent," Jale murmured. "I could do with this every night."

Drean chuckled. "As much as that sounds inviting, it would have a great impact on my ability to make ends meet."

"Oh, don't worry," Jale replied, hanging his head, Drean's fingers working up the back of his neck. "I would make sure you were financially compensated."

Drean let out a short laugh. "And what would I do with myself while you were off going about your duties and I'm cooped up in your tent all day? Sounds a bit boring."

That's what Jale liked about Drean. He was not afraid to voice his thoughts despite the difference in their social standing.

"What?" Jale asked coyly. "You're capable of doing other things than providing pleasure?"

"Hmm," Drean responded. "I'll have you know that I'm capable of doing many things."

"Oh, really?" Jale asked, twisting his body so he could see Drean's face.

"Wouldn't you like to know." Drean smiled, and there was hidden determined look in his eyes.

Jale reached up and placed his hand at the back of Drean's head, pulling him closer to his face. "Oh boy, wouldn't I like to know." He brought their lips together, both men breathing heavily into the kiss.

A loud, sudden knock on the wooden door to their room, cut through the quiet of the room. Jale pulled away and swore. "We're busy," he called out impatiently.

"A moment, if possible." Jale frowned, recognizing the sound of Prince Rathner's voice.

He had been polite and spent enough time with the Prince, welcoming him to the pass and even finding him a beautiful maiden. Why was the Prince knocking on his door now? Jale sighed and rose from the table, ensuring he was still wearing enough clothes to be presentable. He walked to the door and opened it.

"Prince Rathner," he said, not hiding his annoyance. "Isn't Delba suitable for you tonight? She is quite talented at giving pleasure from what I've heard."

Prince Rathner ignored Jale's comments, walked straight past him and entered his room. He swept his fingers through his hair, appearing frazzled. He spied Drean and waved him towards the door. "I need to speak to Prince Jale," he said.

Drean hesitated and looked towards him.

Jale's frown deepened. "Do we really need to talk now?" He waved for Drean to remain in the room, and watched as he swayed uncertainly at the serious look on Prince Rathner's face. Clearly, he was unsure of who he should listen to and which way he should go. To Prince Rathner, Jale continued, "My friend here is to help with other things tonight as well."

Prince Rather paused and took better stock of the room, the wooden narrow table, the ointments, the scented incense burning. "You have issues with your shoulder," he stated.

It was not the response Jale was expecting. "Yes, how do you know?"

"I noticed it bothering you this morning. Sleeping on the hard ground last night would not have helped." Prince Rathner waved Drean off again. "No need for your help, I'll see to Jale's shoulder. Wait by the door, and I'll still pay you for your troubles when I leave."

Drean glanced at Jale again, and Jale gave a comforting smile before he turned back to Prince Rathner.

"You'll help me with my shoulder?" Jale asked surprised, and then somewhat exasperated, "Drean is also here to attend to some other needs I have." He stared pointedly at the Prince.

Prince Rathner paused and really looked at Drean for the first time. He then nodded in such a non-committal manner, Jale still wasn't sure if he understood what Jale wanted Drean for.

"We still need to talk," Prince Rathner said, starting to show his own impatience.

Jale sighed, finally acknowledging that he was going to have to deal with Prince Rathner first if he wanted to keep enjoying his time with Drean. "I'm sorry," he spoke to Drean. "We won't be long. If you could come back in a moment."

Drean smiled and bowed his head before giving Jale such a lingering gaze, Jale wanted to follow him right at the door and have him in the hallway.

The door closed quietly behind Drean. Jale squared his shoulders and faced Prince Rathner. "I thought the purpose of this evening was to enjoy ourselves. You were certainly enjoying yourself when I left the lounge."

"And I will enjoy myself some more when I leave, but this is more pressing." The Prince stopped and then started to pace the small room. Now that he had Jale's undivided attention, it appeared that he didn't know where to start.

Jale tried to hold onto whatever little patience he had left. "What's wrong?"

Prince Rather stopped, stared at Jale and then back at the wooden massage table.

"Sit," he said so firmly it surprised Jale.

Slowly, Jale approached the table and without taking his eyes off the Prince, he eased himself up, legs hanging over the edge.

"So, you have suddenly gained an interest in helping to ease the tension in my shoulders?" Jale asked sarcastically.

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Prince Rathner ignored his words. He stepped up behind Jale and after a pause, placed both his hands on Jale's shoulders. "I don't care for the oils. Some do, I don't. I find a dry massage is much more satisfactory."

"I'm surprised that you even know how. Aren't your servers back at your palace meant to be serving you?" Jale asked dryly.

Prince Rathner managed a short chuckle. "I did. But I got fed up with being served on all the time, having such obedient minds molded only to serve. I started to want something more mutual. Don't you get annoyed with everyone doing everything for you?" he asked. "I have so many different servants waiting on me hand and foot. When I was younger, I enjoyed it. As time passed, I became bored."

"Interesting," Jale commented, allowing his upper body to move with the firm pressure that Prince Rathner was applying to his shoulder. His fingers had already located the knot near his shoulder blade. The pressure deepened.

"So," Prince Rathner continued, "I decided to educate myself in ways of seduction to hopefully improve the pleasure for my lovers, and I was pleasantly surprised by their response."

"I hope you are a bit more sensual than what you're applying to me," Jale stated, grimacing.

Prince Rathner laughed again. "I don't actually have experience in providing sensual massages to male shoulders. However, one of the many things I studied was not only the sensual side of massage but also the healing aspects of the art. My teacher was very comprehensive."

They were silent as Prince Rathner worked his fingers up and over the top of Jale's shoulders. Jale's muscles relented and started to relax at the rhythmical kneading. Prince Rathner was true to his words. He had been taught well at finding pressure points and relaxing tired muscles.

The sound of a lady laughing and a drunken man's shout bellowed from outside in the hallway, signals of men enjoying their evening of freedom. It had the effect of jolting Jale back to the present. He opened his eyes. "What was it that you wanted to talk to me about?"

Prince Rathner's hands paused, and he remained silent for several seconds, as if he had forgotten what he had disturbed Jale for in the first place. He coughed, using the time to find the right words to use. "I hope that despite the short time we have been acquainted, we can speak frankly."

"Sure," Jale responded, confused by where this conversation was going.

"I also wanted to state that I am not one who usually bides his time in speculation or gossip. However, I wanted to ask if, since you have been here, whether anything unusual has taken place to either to you or your men?"

Jale frowned. "Unusual? In what way?" He turned his body to face the Prince, only ten minutes earlier he had done the same to face Drean.

The massage was completely forgotten, and Prince Rathner folded his arms across his body.

"Something strange occurred to me last night while I was on watch."

"Something strange? Why are you only telling me now?" Jale looked him up and down. He really was a handsome man. Jale blinked hard and refocused. "Did you see someone trying to cross the pass?"

"No," Prince Rathner started. "I don't think so."

"You don't think so?!" Jale jumped off the table so he could stride round the table and face Prince Rathner square on. "What do you mean you don't think so? You do realize the seriousness of our situation, don't you? We can't let anyone pass. Where...."

"No," Prince Rathner interrupted firmly. "It wasn't like that. Someone approached the cave. They were dressed in a cloak, and I was wondering if it was one of Menelt's men."

"One of Menelt's men? No," Jale said, shaking his head. "Menelt's men do not walk around in black cloaks. What did the person do? And more importantly, where did they go?"

It was the first time Jale saw the Prince narrow his eyes and gaze at him with suspicion. "I don't know. All I remember was the person reached out to me and then, I don't remember anything else."

Jale raised both his hands to his head in disbelief, missing the Prince's judgement of him. "Why are you telling me this now? I was sleeping in that cave too?" He glared at Prince Rathner, and it was his turn to pace the short distance of the room. "They didn't steal anything," he said to himself. "I didn't notice anything gone."

Prince Rathner remained where he stood, but his appearance had taken on an accusatory glare. "I was starting to wonder if it was one of your men playing a trick, an initiation of sorts or a welcome gesture so to speak, at arriving in this hell hole. You mentioned a man called Uleron. Did they drug me? Put something in my drink?"

Jale stopped pacing. "No!" he gasped as if whiplashed.

He had suspected the Prince had not done his duty properly but that was not why the Prince had come to his room. He had come to Jale's room to accuse him of foul play. He stepped towards the Prince. "There's no way any of my men would do anything of the sort, even Uleron. He's too brutish to try anything that clever, and I've threatened to send him to one of the busier border crossings if he causes any trouble. All my men know better than to try anything to disrespect the son of our neighbouring empire."

Prince Rathner was quiet, assessing Jale's words and body language.

Jale waited anxiously.

"Prince Rathner," he continued. "I assure you. Whoever approached you last night in the cave was not one of my men. My men would not act in such a manner." Jale looked away.

On the one hand, he was worried that the Prince didn't believe him, and then on the other hand, he was concerned that if what the Prince had said was true, then who had approached the cave and what had they wanted?

"Did the person speak to you?" he asked.

Prince Rathner paused before he responded. "No," he said evenly. "They didn't speak, and it is of my belief they did not come across the trail. I may have dozed off but when I woke, the path was not disturbed. Wherever they came from, it must have been over the rockface which is why I also considered the possibility of it being one of Menelt's men."

Somewhat relieved that Prince Rathner had moved away from accusing him, Jale considered his next words carefully. "I could ask Menelt. Although, while they are quiet and stealthy men, I would not believe that the mountain men would act in such a way. They are not secretive with those they work with. Instead, they are more known for being blunt and direct."

"Then who do you suspect?" Prince Rathner asked.

Jale paused and thought. "I honestly don't know. I am more worried about where they are now to be honest."

"I'm more worried about what they did to me while I blacked out," Prince Rathner shared.

Jale looked the Prince up and down. "Do you feel well?"

Prince Rathner scoffed, "Of course I do, as I stand in front of you. It is unnerving though not remembering what happened."

Jale stood up tall, considering another possibility. "Is it possible it was all a dream?"

It was Prince Rathner's turn to straighten his stance. "I don't think so. Yes, I may have been exhausted from my journey but no more than any other man. I don't believe I dreamed the encounter."

"You should have informed me of this earlier today," Jale sighed, thinking of all the implications this news brought with it. "We could have patrolled the area to ensure no one had crossed the pass. Although, I would have suspected the mountain men to have found their tracks in the snow." Jale took a step closer to the Prince. "I will talk to them first thing in the morning to determine if they saw anything. Have you spoken of this with anyone else?"

Prince Rathner shook his head. "No. If it had been your men, I wanted to give you the opportunity to deal with them without risking damaging the relationship between our soldiers."

Jale relaxed. "I thank you for that trust and for dealing with this in the way you have." He reached for his shirt that was draped over the end of the massage table. "I will ride back up to the camp to ensure that my men are continuing with their vigilance."

Prince Rathner reached out and clasped his fingers around Jale's arm to stop him. "There's no need. I sent my men on an extra patrol around our camps this morning, and they did not find anything untoward. I have also doubled the patrol of my men at my camp during the night. Let's wait to see if anything comes from your talk with Menelt." The Prince looked around the room. "You should enjoy the rest of your night."

"I'm sorry that you felt the need to double the men on your patrol," Jale said in a low voice. "I don't want to destroy the very thin thread of trust we have."

Prince Rathner nodded and turned to leave. "I will call in your friend, and I better go see whether Delba has been patient enough to wait for me."

Jale smiled. "I doubt that she would miss the opportunity to spend the evening with the son of an empire."

Prince Rathner smiled. "Hmm, I bet not." He turned towards the door but stopped before he reached it and took one last look at Jale. It looked as if he was about to say something else and then second guessed himself. He opened the door, looked down the hallway and must have spied Drean for he waved for someone to approach.

Drean paused at the room's entrance.

"I have worked on his shoulders so it should be good now," Prince Rathner informed Drean.

Drean looked cautiously between the two as if trying to determine what had occurred in the room knowing all too well that it was not in his place to ask. Prince Rathner patted Drean on the back. "I'll let you see to his other desires."

And then, all of a sudden, Drean found his voice. "Maybe you'll join us one evening?"

Both Jale and Prince Rathner looked at Drean in surprise and before Jale could respond, Prince Rathner answered for him. "Maybe."

"Maybe?" Jale asked with a light laugh. "Maybe you misunderstood."

Prince Rathner gave a chuckle and winked towards the two men before he closed the door behind him.

"Maybe you'll join us?" Jale asked Drean in disbelief when they were alone.

Drean laughed. "What? He's a good-looking man. Who wouldn't want to have some fun with him?"

Jale shook his head while he pulled Drean by the hand. "I think he's more interested in the female form to be honest. He's about to go and devour one of the ladies."

Drean shrugged. "I don't know. I just get a sense of things sometimes. I might be wrong, but I get the feeling you might be surprised if you made an offer."

Jale continued to tug Drean towards the concrete slab of pillows and blankets. "And why would I want Prince Rathner when I can have you?"

"Oh, now I am flattered," Drean swooned, leaning over Jale who was now sitting on the edge of the concrete slab pulling at his clothes.

Jale only smiled and pulled Drean on top of him.