In the morning a servant with a security guard came for Kai. He was politely invited to come with them. While they were leading him through the corridors and halls, he examined the furnishings of the palace in the daylight. Well, it was a fairy tale. It was a real oriental tale with an overabundance of luxury, wealth, and splendor in everything.

They came to a room like a bathhouse. There were several baths, plunge pools, jacuzzis, and steam rooms. This was the fiefdom of Maksud - just here they preened feathers to those who got in his way.

Maksud bowed to Kai, he had not seen him for a day and was already bored. Maksud was once again convinced that he was not mistaken and was right that his prisoner was unique.

He started small talk about nature-weather, leading Kai to one of the baths.

"This bath is for you; you will like it."

Kai understood that it was stupid to resist taking a bath, if it was necessary, he would be killed in any case, whether he wanted it or not. So what for to put on an act? He looked at Maksud.

"I will turn away," Maksud caught the embarrassment in his eyes.

Kai undressed and got into the bath. All this Maksud observed in the mirror opposite him. He did not discover anything new for himself, he just made sure once again that this young man was beautiful without clothes.

The bathroom was filled with a mixture of different tinctures and even oils. Kai got the pleasure of lying in it.

Maksud sat next to him and continued to entertain him with conversations about everything. Then Kai was brought a glass, he drank without hesitation and felt that it was a soft drug. The body became weightless, the world bloomed with rainbow colors. Lightness and emptiness formed in consciousness. He no longer resisted, and, most importantly, did not ask questions anymore, when he was moved from one bath to another, then wrapped in a robe, put in an armchair, where his arms and legs were tidied up, then put again in the bathroom, then there was a massage after which he fell asleep.

He woke up in a large bower in a fairy garden. All around he saw rose bushes that exuded a delicate scent, birds chirped in the tree branches. "This is probably what heaven looks like," Kai thought, recovering from the drug. He was lying in wide trousers, covered with a light blanket, on a soft mattress, surrounded by numerous pillows.

The servant and the guard came for him again. The servant helped to put on the robe and tie it with a belt, Kai was taken along the beautiful paths of the garden to another bower, a table was laid there, Maksud had already been sitting at it and offered to dine together.

Maksud again conducted a small talk about everything. Kai, as a scout, guessed the essence of everything that was happening. By the different dishes served at the table, Maksud tried to understand whether he knew etiquette and rules of conduct in society. For casually thrown phrases and questions - his level of education. Since Kai had no plan to make himself a redneck, he passed the Maksud exam with dignity. He saw it in his admiring eyes.

"Why are you eating so little?" Maksud was worried about this problem. Compared to the concubines, for whom Maksud was responsible, Kai ate just a little, and those beauties simply fressed and it was necessary to limit their food to keep their figures.

"I have problems with food, I do not feel its taste, it is nervous," Kai decided to warn about this right away. He was already tired of tables full of food

"Allow the doctor to examine you."

Kai nodded, again realizing that in his position it was better to agree.

"Maybe, after all, there is something from the food that you like?"

"Fish and vegetables."

"Ascetic food of a true warrior," Maksud smiled again, "among drinks, I understand, you like wine?"

"Yes, the red one."

Maksud smiled again, remembering the completely drunk jugs of wine. Then he waved his hand. A glass of wine was poured out to Kai. He drank. He looked at Maksud and named the brand of wine.

"Have I passed your exam?"

"Yes, you have. I can see that you are not stupid. Forgive me, but I must know how wide your knowledge is."

"In etiquette, education ..."

"Yes. You got me."

"You could just ask."

"If you don’t even say your name, how could I expect you to admit it?"

Kai knew that Maksud was right - he did not take offense at him for such testing.

"Will they always get me drunk before baths?"

"Wasn't that pleasant for you? Well, if you are calm about everything, they will not get you drunk. Do you agree?"

Kai smiled and nodded his head.

"Maybe you have some requests, wishes for me?"

Kai thought, looked at Maksud.

"Is there anything to read?"

Maksud raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"What do you want to read?" then he took thought. "Let's do this, let's go now to the library, and you will choose whatever you like."

Kai nodded.

After passing fabulous halls, stairs and corridors, they found themselves in a huge room filled to the ceiling with books. There were thousands of books in this library, and walking quickly past them and looking through the spines of titles, Kai saw that these were unique books. He forgot about everything, read aloud the names in Arabic, English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese ... Climbing the stairs, he chose three books and, going up to Maksud, saw that he was "frozen".

"Maksud, I've chosen, but I read quickly, and there is still so much more! Can I come here again tomorrow?"

Maksud was silent, took the books from Kai, looked at them completely distantly. One was in Japanese, there were some hieroglyphs, but, apparently, it was old, historical. The second one was in German, the third was in Latin.

Maqsud froze again, then inhaled air.

"Let's do this. You may settle down here," he pointed to a table with an armchair in the center of the library. "Read, security is at the exit, if you need them, call. In the evening they will take you for supper. And tomorrow... " Maksud had already come to his senses and smiled slyly, " first all the procedures for beauty, and then read as much as you want. Okay?"

"Agree. Thanks."

Kai went to the table and after a second went deep into the reading of the book.

Maksud forced himself to leave the library, realizing that he did not expect this at all. Well, he saw that a prisoner was with good manners, held himself well at the table, talked on any topic - that is, he was educated and brought up, but with all these advantages there was also knowledge of so many languages, and, most importantly, such a passion for books.

He would drive Arshad crazy, Maksud understood this already now. Arshad would not resist, and was it possible, and why?

Maksud knew that tomorrow he would have to drink Kai again so that the doctor examined him and took all the tests. He needed to know everything about him.

Everything!

***

The next day, after all the already planned procedures, Kai mentally called for himself soaking in the bathroom, since he was moved from one bath to another with different fillers, including oils and other odorous liquids. After all this, he trustingly drank the brought wine, remembering the words of Maksud that there would be no more drugs, and felt that he was sinking into sleep.

He woke up again in the bower in the garden. The sensations were strange, the whole body slightly tingled and itched. He checked himself with his hand and immediately jumped up, threw off the veil, and looked at himself, lying naked, covered only with a veil. Kai saw with horror that his already rare vegetation on his body was completely removed, and everywhere, even there, in the most intimate places. He passed his hand there and felt that he was not mistaken, everything was smooth and soft there. Then he touched his face. He hadn't grown anything on his face anyway, but now he realized that he wouldn't grow up anymore. And this was hardly a temporary hair removal. This was a laser or something more modern, he had heard about this, after which the hair does not grow at all, he accidentally learned about this from another girlfriend of Prokhor, who loudly shared these wonders of progress on the phone with her chatty friend.

Kai sat wrapped in a blanket and did not know whether to be upset about it. When your life is generally in an uncertain state and it is not clear whether you will remain alive or not, is it worth worrying about the absence of body hair? He did not idealize Arshad, even though he saved his life, Arshad was not obliged to save his life. This was not a movie about noble princes - this was life, politics, war. And Arshad would treat him exactly as it would be beneficial for him. Moreover, he still did not know who he was, and when he found out that he was a Russian, he could give Kai to Mahmud's gang in exchange for a profitable deal. Therefore, the sadness about the lost vegetation turned into general thoughts about the complete uncertainty in his life.

In such a sad state Maksud found Kai. Unlike him, Maksud was in a great mood, the doctors confirmed that Kai had never slept with men, that he was untouched, and the tests showed that he was completely healthy.

Looking at the sad Kai, Maksud guessed the reason for his sadness.

"Will you forgive me for this?" Maksud sat down next to him on the mattress.

"For what?" Kai looked at him. "For the hair?" he smiled, realizing that it sounded stupid.

"They are superfluous on such a beautiful body, a few more procedures - and they will never bother you. Would you mind doing this?"

"Have I got a choice? You’ll put me to sleep again."

"I'll give you a drink for sweet dreams," corrected Maksud. "Is that the only reason for your sadness?"

"Are you making a concubine out of me for Arshad?"

Maksud burst out laughing, through the tears that came out he sentenced:

"You are a boy; how can I make a concubine out of you? Then a boy-concubine."

"And what? Are there such boys?

Maksud stopped laughing, seeing that his mysterious prisoner was really genuinely surprised to hear about it.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"You did not know? Tell me, were you brought up in a monastery?"

Kai remained silent, feeling his lack of enlightenment in these matters.

Maksud took his hand in his.

"You have nothing to worry about. I'm just following Arshad's orders to take care of you in his absence. You see, Arshad appreciates beauty, he does not allow anyone around him to cast a pall over his eyes. He can afford such a whim. If he is not happy with your appearance, I will suffer."

"I don’t want you to get hurt because of me. Tell me, how can the hair on my legs cast a pall over his eyes?"

Maksud smiled. He missed this question and turn to another:

"If you don't want me to get hurt, can I ask you for one more little thing?"

"What else?" Kai was already lost in conjecture, what could cast a pall over Arshad's eyes.

"May I touch up your eyes?"

"Are you making a transvestite out of me?"

"Well, after all, you are not completely unenlightened in this matter," Maksud began to laugh again. "No, what are you talking about! Wait, listen, you've seen - here everyone's eyes are rimmed with black eyeliner, this is the tradition of the East."

Yes, Maksud was right. Here even the guards had black eyeliner. Kai read about it in books, in the east, men always rimmed their eyes with soot.

"Okay," he grunted, realizing that they would still put him to sleep and make up his eyes anyway, so why resist? So far, this was not the worst suspicion that began to arise in his head.

Servants brought his clothes. Kai was no longer ashamed of Maksud, although he lowered his eyes, dressing, feeling that he was examining him. But Kai was unconscious so many times that he understood - probably, Maksud had examined him all long ago.

Kai also noticed that the clothes he put on became more luxurious and richer each time. And now they were harem pants embroidered with gold, a silk shirt also embroidered with gold, several thin robes on top, everything was tied around the waist with embroidered belts with hanging golden laces, low boots made of the softest leather were put on his feet.

They did not cut his hair, only tidied it up and constantly took care of it, applying all sorts of masks and oils, combing and rubbing with odorous liquids, so now it lay on his head in large curls of the color of a black wing, shimmering in the sun.

Then two servants came with boxes and a thin young man who took out all kinds of tubes of makeup from the boxes.

Kai stared in horror at the amount of makeup on the table.

"Maksud, you've only said to rim my eyes - and why is this all?"

"Sit down and trust. If something goes wrong, you simply will wash your face. Okay?"

Kai flopped into the armchair. The young man bent over him, lifted his chin, and, brushing the hair from his face, began his work. In the behavior, in the look and appearance of the young man, Kai felt a strangeness, and then the thought flashed through him that, probably, this young man was also a eunuch.

"He’s a eunuch, you don’t have to worry," Maksud saw that Kai was nervous about touching his face.

Kai felt sorry for this young man, although that one did not look unhappy, on the contrary - he did his job with enthusiasm, and it was clear that he liked it. Then he pulled away from Kai, managing to put something soft and smelling of strawberries on his lips.

Maksud let out a vague sigh and fell silent, looking at Kai. Then he came to his senses, went up to him, and brought a mirror to his face.

At first, Kai did not recognize the one who was looking at him from the gilded frame of glass and then realized that it was himself. His already huge eyes, framed by thick dark lashes, were now properly underlined and darkened with eyeliner and shadows, a tone darker than his skin. This created the effect of depth in the gaze and made the color of his eyes stand out. The light mascara lengthened the lashes even further, casting shadows over the shimmery sheen of the emeralds that now represented his eyes. The light tone evened out the skin, removing abrasions and bruises that had not yet been smoothed out. The eyebrows were perfectly lined, emphasizing their beautiful curve, the thin line of the lips gleamed in the transparent gel, the cheekbones stood out due to the transition of tones. All in all, the makeup was applied so skillfully that it seemed to lack. But it was, and it emphasized and strengthened Kai's natural beauty a hundredfold, allowing it to sparkle.

"Now you will always look like this," said Maksud in a strange voice, looking at him.

Kai understood that he needed to come to terms: while he did not know about his future fate, it was stupid to think about such trifles.

Then the week passed in the standard schedule: a huge number of beauty procedures, regular meals, and walking with Maksud in the garden with peacocks. Then there was lunch in his company, then sleep, and finally, as a bonus to everything, the opportunity to visit the library. Then again soaking in baths, massages, rubbing.

At his request, Maksud installed a game console in his room, first surprised by this, and then happily watching Kai play it before going to bed. His sleep was also monitored, not allowed to sit up for a game, first fed, then given medicinal drinks with the smell of herbs to drink, and he fell asleep like a baby, suspecting that these drinks clearly contain medicinal herbs for such a deep sleep.

There were two joys in his life now - reading in the library and playing the console. He decided to ask Maksud for it, realizing that such a life schedule was simply killing him. He was tired of these baths, massages, and everything that was done to him but did not resent it. He waited for Arshad to finally arrive and pronounce his verdict.

***

Gifar was the first to return, informed Maksud that Sheikh Arshad had sent him here to settle all matters here in connection with the past events, once again double-check all the people in the palace, and prepare for his return, being firmly convinced that a traitor had not lurked in the palace.

Gifar told all this to Maksud, then at the end of the conversation, he casually asked about the prisoner. Maksud smiled enigmatically. Gifar tensed. He knew Maksud too well, they were friends with him, under Arshad's rein they had nothing to share with each other. Gifar was engaged in all the security, Maksud did not pretend to this, and Maksud did all the leisure of Arshad, Gifar did not pretend to this, so they became friends and for many years remained in excellent relations, enjoying each other's company and understanding that there was one who would not betray.

"Maksud, what a smile? Is there anything I don't know? Has he run away?"

"No," Maksud purred. "He is here and ready to appear before the eyes of Arshad."

"Yes, Arshad wants to thank him and send him home, he does not need him here, he does not want to waste time on him, remembering his impudence and insolence."

"Okay," Maksud purred again, "he will thank him, but whether he sends him home - this is unlikely."

"What's wrong with him? " Gifar looked blankly at Maksud.

"With him everything is alright."

"Enough! Let him be brought here. Immediately!"

Gifar shouted angrily and gave the order to bring the prisoner to them on the terrace, where they were sitting on low sofas, waiting while the servants set the table for dinner.

Maksud did not oppose Gifar's wishes. He waited and looked at him, he now needed to see how Gifar would behave when he saw the captive.

Kai was brought in. He saw Maksud and immediately recognized Gifar sitting next to him, went up to them, and froze, seeing that Gifar's eyes would now crawl out of their sockets.

Gifar saw the approach of a short youth who stepped softly on the carpet. He was slender, wearing expensive clothes that emphasized his elegance, resin curls, and a face, looking at which Gifar was speechless.

"Who is it?" he said not in his own voice, getting up from the sofa. "Do we know each other?"

Kai amused it all. He laughed loudly and held out his hand to Gifar.

"We fought shoulder to shoulder, by the way, I did not thank you, you then closed me with a sword a couple of times. Thanks."

Gifar realized who was in front of him - it was that boy, a brazen, dirty, filthy ragamuffin at the plane, who then with sabers, beat off enemies from Arshad. And now he ...

Gifar stretched out his hand, as in a dream he felt a confident handshake, thin fingers, and a small hand.

Maksud saw that Gifar needed to be saved, otherwise, he would not come out of his stupor.

"My friends, the table is set, let's go and have lunch. Our prisoner still does not want to tell us his name, can you imagine, Gifar?" pushing Kai to the table, said Maksud to Gifar standing in a stupor. He finally woke up, went to the table, and drank a glass of wine in one gulp. Apparently, this returned him to his previous state.

A relaxed atmosphere reigned at dinner. Kai had already accustomed to the company of Maksud, and he generally considered Gifar a comrade-in-arms, a fellow soldier, so he chatted freely, answered questions, and told. Their conversations were neutral. Kai clearly followed the thread of the conversation and always, feeling leading questions, deftly walked away from them. Gifar understood this as well, although he began to talk throughout the dinner, continued to freeze regularly, looking at Kai. He saw his manners, his knowledge of etiquette, aristocratic movements, and the way he, despite his playful tone, avoided questions.

At the end of lunch, Maksud said that the prisoner would be taken to the library, where he regularly spent time reading. Kai got up, said goodbye, and went after the servants, in his heart grateful to Maksud that he did not send him to a child's sleep, but made changes to his life schedule.

Maksud again looked at the petrified Gifar and decided to deepen an impression by listing the books that the prisoner had read, and in what languages.

Gifar silently poured another glass of wine and drank it just as silently. Then he turned to Maksud.

"He will never let him go."

Maksud understood what Gifar was talking about.

"It's unknown. You see, this is not the version of a boy who will be seduced by the wealth of the palace and the values of luxury in life for the opportunity to be with Arshad. It's different here. I do not know how Arshad will be able to subdue him so that he will stay with him or at least stay for a while."

"He can get everything all by force."

"It will be stupid. I don't think Arshad will go for it. Then he will lose him forever."

"I also do not like such a plot, but at the sight of him, will Arshad resist? And how much will he cope with his desires?"

"Arshad is hot, but not stupid, and he is already over thirty, I think he will act wisely."

"I do not doubt the wisdom of our master."

Having exchanged such phrases, they no longer touched upon the slippery topic of the Sheikh's wisdom. Maksud turned the conversation in another direction.

"Are you satisfied with my work?"

"How did you descry him?"

"I saw him right away. Still there, by the plane. However, I did not expect that he is so handsome. And you, stupid, almost hit him with a whip."

"He was insolent and did not kneel before the Sheikh."

"Yes, he has a strong character."

"Maksud, I saw him fighting with swords. Let me take a couple of tricks from him, let me practice."

"Not! But not that! I know your training, then he will be covered with bruises and abrasions."

"Maksud, you've said yourself, this is not a boy, he is a warrior! It is interesting for me to talk to him, he has so many fighting techniques!"

"To chat? Well, you've swallowed your tongue at the sight of him today!"

"Well, I was not ready for that. Maksud, let me. Everything is in your presence. No injury. He will show a couple of lunges with swords and that's it. Maksud, please, my friend!"

Maksud was prim for a long time but realized that Gifar would not lag behind him with this fighting technique. And, taking from him a promise that he would take good care of the prisoner, and he would be present during their training, he agreed.

***

The next day Gifar went to the prisoner's chambers, knowing that he would find Maksud there too. He didn't want to postpone the possibility of a practice fight. Entering the chambers, he saw a wonderful picture - an angry prisoner threw scattered clothes at Maksud and everything that fell into his hand. Maksud laughed and caught these objects.

"Are you having fun?"

Kai froze, bowed to Gifar.

"Hello."

"Hello, by what did my friend make you so angry?"

Kai could not stand it and told everything as his heart had swelled with hurt and anger.

"Here, look!" he pointed to his hands, decorated with rings, then to the ears with clips with emeralds, then to the neck with threads of pearls.

"So what? It suits you very well."

"Are you turning me into a f*g? Kai blurted out and froze.

Gifar and Maksud laughed.

"Not. Why do you say that?" Gifar asked seriously.

"These outfits, constant baths, painted eyes, nails, and now jewelry! I'm already afraid to look at myself in the mirror!"

"You are a European, you have different traditions, I understand that, but here, in the Sheikh's palace, everything has been unchanged for centuries. Here men always rim their eyes, wear expensive beautiful outfits and jewelry. Am I f*g if I wear rings?"

Gifar raised his ringed hand.

"Sorry, I didn't want to offend anyone," Kai sat down helplessly on the bed. "I just don't know ... I don't understand what for all this is."

Gifar felt sorry for him, for the first time now he saw his real one. Not that impudent ragamuffin, not a brave warrior and not a beautiful young man, but a frightened boy who did not know his fate. Gifar caught himself thinking that he was not indifferent to the fate of this man and that he really wanted everything to come to his senses in his life. He had to endure a lot. It's good that at least he hadn't hit him with a whip then.

"You fought like that there then! Can you give me some lessons?" Kai uncomprehendingly raised his sad eyes to Gifar. "Maksud has now allowed to regularly conduct training swordsmanship, of course, if you do not mind."

Kai's eyes sparkled, he came to life, jumped up.

"Is it true?" he ran up to Maksud, hugged him. "Can I train with swords?" Then he rushed to Gifar, "Let's go quickly!"

Maqsud and Gifar saw that it was so important for this mysterious young man in this life. It was not beauty, luxury, or pampered conditions, but the opportunity to feel who he was, to become himself with a sword in hand. He was a warrior - that says it all.

***

Now hell came for Maksud, he watched with horror how Kai fought with swords every day, fell, got up, flew off, then rose again. Maksud had already stopped counting how many bruises he would find on his body. The main thing was that nothing would be chopped off. But when Kai cut himself several times, Maksud threw such a tantrum that the sharp swords were replaced with blunt ones.

Gifar was delighted, and so were his warriors. This prisoner really knew a lot and was capable. They understood each other perfectly. They listened to him, repeated the movements, showed their techniques. Their training took place in the morning, then Kai humbly followed Maksud and fell into his power - beauty, then lunch, then sleep, then the library - Kai won this right. Then there was an evening walk in a conversation with Maksud along the avenues of the garden. They were now regularly joined by Gifar, then - dinner. The three of them also began to have dinner, they were comfortable in each other's company. Then Kai was sent to his chambers, where he was allowed to play console a little, and then sleep. During this time, Maksud moved him to more luxurious apartments. In Kai's opinion, it was just a mini-palace: several rooms, a huge bed, a rich interior in the style of fabulous orient and modern technology: a plasma on the wall and computer game consoles. Everywhere there were carpets, cushions, sofas, silk, gold, and vases of fragrant flowers. It was just the dwelling of a princess. Kai was calm about such a situation, as he understood that there was no need to be indignant. It was necessary to understand at first what Arshad would decide. And then could understand what him to do.

And finally, Sheikh Arshad returned to the palace.