Gladiator 5, Supernatural RPS AU, NC-17
Aug. 18th, 2008 05:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
phantismaFandom: Supernatural RPS
Title: Gladiator 5 ( all of Courtesan can be found here)
Pairing/Characters: Jared/OMC, Jared/OFC, Jeff/OMC
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 3313
Summary: Total AU. Jared fights to win the man he loves, one opponent at a time.
A/Ns & Warnings: Um. Warnings for this section include Het sex, dub-con sex.
Art, from![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
apieceofcake...
The crowd was loud, rowdy. It was a hot day for the autumn, and they always screamed for blood when it was hot. The hotter it was, the more violent the crowd.
That suited him just fine.
His face was set and hard under his helmet. He cracked his neck waiting for the gates to open.
No one spoke to him. No one dared.
That too suited him just fine.
The gates finally opened and Jared moved out into the bright afternoon sun. The crowd roared as he emerged from the shadows, his armor bright, his blade singing in his hand as he warmed up.
Today's match was one more on the road to the capital. One more man between him and what he wanted most. There was a time when Jared would have pitied that man.
That time was long past.
Jared watched his opponent appear at the other end of the stadium. He had heard stories of the man's strength and bravery and showman ship. Jared liked the ones who were brave and showy. It usually meant they were stupid too. Risk takers. Playing to the crowd instead of playing smart.
He turned to the Lord's box and bowed. Lord Jeffrey was there, Jared knew. He had visited Jared the night before. Brought him meat and a special bread he had the kitchen make before each match.
They had spoken of strategy and their goal, of Jensen so far away. It helped him focus on the task at hand. On building a reputation that would see him invited to the King's tournament, on winning his freedom.
The horn sounded, signaling the start of war. Jared watched his opponent coming, waiting, his arms loose, his feet planted in the sand. The plan was to let Talicus, the champion of the House of Tellis, wear himself down with his grandstanding moves, the leaps and twists and heavy blows he was known for…so Jared let him come, watching as he picked up speed, his sword swinging around in front of him.
Just as he came close enough, Jared side stepped, the blow glancing off his shield as the man ran past. Jared turned, expecting more of the same.
He wasn't disappointed. The man grunted and yelled as he took several swings at Jared, all of them landing on his shield. The crowd was screaming encouragement, though it fell away into a general din and Jared wasn’t sure which of them they were yelling for.
His opponent was big, but no where near as big as Jared, who had bulked up considerably in the last months. Jared rolled away from his next attack, raising his own blade for the first time, using the flat of it to swat Talicus on the ass.
The crowd laughed and Jared made a bit of a bow, even as Talicus roared and dove at him. Jared fell over backwards, catching Talicus with his foot as he threw himself at Jared, kicking his stomach and sending him hurtling into the sand.
He was angering the other warrior and Jared knew it. He was, however, getting bored with the games. He saluted the Lord's box, his signal to Lord Jeffrey that he was moving on to the next step.
When Talicus came roaring after him, Jared whirled, his blade flashing in the air, coming back bloody.
Talicus staggered away, blood dripping down his arm. Jared sneered, holding his blade aloft for the crowd to see. They cheered as Talicus rounded on Jared.
"Think you're funny, do you?"
Jared shook his head. "Not funny."
It was time for the real fighting. Dirty, hand to hand combat. Jared adjusted his grip on his sword and closed in. The crowd was on its feet. Talicus swung first, his blow serious and heavy against Jared's shield. Jared didn't wait, his own blade swinging out before Talicus had even finished his swing, nearly catching his shield arm instead of his shield.
Talicus backpedaled in the sand, nearly falling before he found his balance. Jared followed, feinting with his sword until he saw his opening. He dove in as Talicus raised his arm, raking his blade down the exposed side, cutting through the laces of his armor.
Jared pressed forward. Talicus tried to protect his now exposed side as his armor slipped and in the end, he chose to duck out of the armor, leaving it in the sand and facing Jared in nothing but his tunic.
Jared backed off a little, let his opponent catch his breath while the crowd chanted. With the armor out of the way, Jared could make him bleed for them. Already his arm was red with it. Jared aimed to make sure that more of him was painted red before this match was over. Next step was to rid him of the pesky shield. Jared moved in, readying his heaviest blow, bringing it, and half his bodyweight, down on the shield, forcing the arm down, and bringing his sword to bear on the shoulder.
Talicus yelled as Jared cut him and rolled away. The shoulder wound would make the shield too heavy to carry. Sure enough, Talicus shrugged it off. Jared dropped his and pulled a knife from the sheath strapped to his calf. He smiled and closed in, circling quickly, feinting with the sword only to swoop in with the knife, to the delight of the crowd. He drew a bloody line down his enemy's chest, and a matching one down his back.
Talicus staggered away, attempting to keep his sword up to defend himself. Jared punched him hard across the jaw with the knife hand. Talicus went down. He crawled a few feet, panting and attempting to get to his feet. Jared kicked him hard in the ass, sending him sprawling.
Jared closed the distance, straddling over him, then reached down to pull off his helmet. He closed a fist in his hair and pulled his head back, turning him toward the Lord's box with the blade of the knife tight against Talicus' throat. He looked up and waited. The crowd was screaming for more.
"Well, my Lord?" Jared called out, yanking back harder. "What is your pleasure? Does he die in disgrace or live to fight again?"
Lord Tellis stood, his eyes surveying the crowd before returning to Jared. "I leave the choice to you. Let him live, and dine with us in the Grand Hall tonight. Kill him, and win the hearts of the crowd. Which will it be, Gladiator?"
Jared's eyes moved to Lord Jeffrey standing beside Tellis. Jeffrey's eyes flicked to Tellis and back. It was the nobility Jared needed most. The recommendation of another Lord to the king could be the deciding factor in his invitation to court.
"Get used to this position, Talicus. I'll be claiming what is mine tonight after I dine with your lord." Jared growled in his ear before pulling the knife away and shoving his face down into the sand. He stood, holding his arms out to the side and letting his weapons fall. "I am honored, my Lord, by your invitation."
He bowed deeply, then turned and stalked out of the arena.
Astin was waiting for him with a damp towel, but Jared brushed past him and into the guest cell they had been assigned upon their arrival. The truth was, he'd rather have killed the man. Playing to the political mindset was not a gladiator's way. Jared pulled Astin into the small room and shoved the door shut.
He took the towel to wipe his sweaty face, throwing his helmet into the corner. Astin looked a little scared, but when Jared stared down at him, he nodded, going to his knees and opening his mouth as Jared began unlacing his armor. Astin's hand on his cock was hot and Jared hardened, shoving himself into Astin's mouth as he dropped the armor.
He was no courtesan, but he was learning. He closed his eyes as Jared's hand grabbed the back of his head, holding him still while he fucked into him. Jared made quick work of it, coming even as the door was shoved open and Lord Jeffrey appeared.
Jared pushed Astin away and looked at Jeffrey. "You could knock."
Jeffrey smiled, his hand reaching out to catch Astin and turn his face toward Jeffrey. "I could, but then I wouldn't have caught the end of that." Jeffrey pointed Astin to the table and the kid went, putting his hands on it and bending forward. He glance once at Jared, then looked down at the table as Jeffrey stepped up behind him. "I remember when this was you." Jeffrey said, his hand lifting Astin's tunic to rub over his bare ass. He opened his robes and let his own cock out, guiding it into Astin with no prep work at all.
Astin grunted, then fell silent.
"Are you here just to fuck my boy, my Lord?" Jared asked dryly, sitting on the cot and looking away.
"I could fuck you, if you prefer."
Obviously Lord Jeffrey was in a good mood. Jared waited until he had finished, then sent Astin out to practice. Once Jeffrey had adjusted himself, he turned to Jared. "That was an interesting match today."
"I thought you told me he was good." Jared thought the whole thing was over too fast.
"You are clearly better. And, because you are, I won a tidy sum from Lord Tellis."
"That's why you're so happy." Jared got up off the cot and sighed.
"You wanted blood." Jeffrey observed.
"I don't like playing games."
"Keep your eye on the prize, Jared. Your reputation is growing. You are seen as valiant and strong, skilled and merciful. This is good."
"How much longer is this going to take?" It had been months since his leg healed enough to let him really fight. Months with no word but that Jensen was locked away in the palace of the king, never seen. Even Lord Jeffrey hadn't been allowed to see him when he was last there.
"Your name is mentioned in the highest courts, Jared. It is only a matter of time before you are invited to fight in the capital, the coliseum. Then you only need to keep winning until the tournament is set."
He made it sound easy, as though Jared wasn’t risking his life with each step into the arena, as if the King's tournament were merely weeks away instead of half a year.
"I expect you to behave tonight at dinner. I will have clothing sent down for you."
Jeffrey left the door open as he withdrew. Jared stared after him for a time, then turned to the table. He pulled his tunic off, standing naked in the small room. He lifted the small knife left from his breakfast and raised it to his left shoulder. There were two columns of five thin scars, marks of each victory on his quest, under the thicker one left by the cat he'd killed in the first match after Jensen was taken away. He inhaled and pulled the blade over his skin, hissing as it bit into him and marked him.
He was growing accustomed to the whole spectacle of dinner in the noble halls, even if he was less than enthused about them. He figured if Jensen could survive wherever he was, submitting to the royal family, Jared could survive the occasional formal dinner.
Unlike similar occasions at home, he would walk in with Lord Jeffrey, as a part of the visiting House of Morgan. He was dressed slightly more formally than he would be at home too.
Jared held his head up as they were announced and he followed Lord Jeffrey closely, through the crowded hall. Jeffrey inclined his head to Lord and Lady Tellis, and Jared bowed deeply.
"Gladiator, you're string of victories is most impressive." Lady Tellis said, standing and descending the few steps to stand in front of Jared.
"Thank you my Lady." Jared murmured.
"Talicus has been most favored in this court for a number of years. I've never seen someone beat him as handily as you did today."
"I was fortunate, my Lady. The gods smiled upon me."
"Yes, they really did."
He felt her eyes work over him, and beside him Lord Jeffrey smirked. Jared had heard that there were noble woman as enamored of warriors as the men, but he had never known one.
Lord Tellis cleared his throat, and Lady Tellis smiled. "Please, allow me, on behalf of my Lord Tellis, to offer you a mere token of our appreciation of your skills." She held out her hand and a servant approached with a tray. On it a small chest rested. Lady Tellis opened the chest and withdrew a silver dagger. It was more ornament than blade, but worth more than anything he had ever owned.
He looked to Jeffrey who nodded tightly. "I thank you my Lady…and your Lord as well. It is a beautiful…thing."
She held it out to him across gloved hands. He took it cautiously, making sure not to touch her at all. He bowed deeply and she returned to her seat before Lord Jeffrey was moving them off to their table.
"This is a sign that you are on the right road now, Jared." Jeffrey said quietly. "It will be necessary once you are free. You have no trade but fighting, you will need money to live."
"If I can hold on to it that long." Jared muttered. There was a reason that gladiators didn't own much…and it went beyond how they were essentially property themselves. Unlike courtesans, who had ways of keeping gifts, a gladiator would find anything he tried to keep stolen quickly.
"I will hold it for you." Jeffrey lifted the dull blade. "It will fetch a fair price once you are ready."
They didn't speak again as dinner was served. Jared kept his attention on his plate. The sooner he could get himself out the Hall, the better, as far as he was concerned.
"You may go." Jeffrey said finally, though his hand fell on Jared's arm as he moved to stand. "And, I would be careful about spending yourself claiming Talicus." Jared frowned at him and Jeffrey's eyes rose to Lady Tellis. "Something tells me that you will be entertaining fairer company than mine before the night is over."
Jared wasn't sure he could believe him, but he wasn't going to let the possibility derail him. He'd promised Talicus he would claim what he'd won. He wasn't surprised to find the warrior waiting for him. There was, after all, expectation.
Talicus didn't speak, only bared his ass, bent over his cot and waited. Jared held his cock, coaxing it to life. Talicus hissed when Jared grabbed his wounded shoulder. Jared was slightly surprised to find his hole lubricated with oil. It would make this easier, on both of them.
He pressed in and Talicus leaned forward more, taking him deeper. Unlike earlier with Astin, Jared knew he wouldn't come quickly. This was about making it last, making him know he'd been bested. When he finally did come with a long moan, Jared stood back and let his borrowed robe fall back into place.
Talicus stood, nodding to Jared. "Until battle brings us together again." Jared said, slipping out of his cell and heading back to his own. A single candle burned on the table, the remnants of Astin's less humble meal beside it.
Astin was asleep on the cot and he stirred a little when Jared opened the door. Jared was content to let him sleep for the moment. He was tempted to go out to the training yard and work out the aggression still boiling in his veins.
There was a soft knock on the door and it inched open, a cloaked figure ducking inside. Small hands emerged from the long fabric and pushed back the hood. Jared bowed immediately. "My Lady."
She smiled, her hand lifting to his face. "Jared."
"I…" Jared stepped back, his foot hitting the cot. Astin sat up suddenly, his eyes wide as he took in the sight of a noble woman in court robes standing in their cell. "Ah…this is my apprentice, Astin."
Her eyes never left Jared's face. "Run along Astin. You'll be sleeping somewhere else tonight."
Astin scrambled to his feet and out of the room, pulling the door closed with a thud. "You look nervous, Jared."
"I am nervous, my Lady."
"Surely you know why I have come?"
"I have…an idea, my Lady."
She nodded. "You didn't even try to touch my hands back there. I was disappointed."
"It is forbidden." Jared swallowed as she stepped closer.
"Of course it's forbidden. Fortunately I can touch anything I chose." Her hand skimmed over his cheek. "I would see you without this silly thing." She tugged on the collar of the robe. "Take it off."
"As you wish."
She smiled at that. Her brown eyes were dark. Jared fumbled a little with the unfamiliar garment, finally getting it loose and dropping it beside the cot.
She frowned a little then. "Do I not arouse you?"
"I…have already…"
Her eyebrow lifted, looking at the door. "The boy?"
Jared shook his head and she smiled again. "Ah, Talicus. That would be why Lord Tellis let him live. He knows how much I enjoy Talicus and his…talents. It amuses him to know that I am not alone."
Jared wasn’t sure he followed all of that.
"No matter, of course, it only means you will last longer and I will get what I desire."
"And what is it that you desire, my Lady?" Jared asked breathlessly.
"You." Her hand lay flat against his naked chest and pushed until he was sitting on the cot. He lifted his hands as if to touch her, then realized he couldn't. Her hand moved over his stomach to his cock, grabbing a hold of it and tugging. It responded slowly, but it responded. "Perhaps it only likes boys and beaten enemies," she murmured and Jared turned red. She liked the response, grinning.
"Lay down Jared."
He did as he was told, stretching his arms above his head to keep himself from reaching for her again. She lifted her skirt and her leg, climbing over him, his cock still in her other hand. Before he was fully hard, she was straddling him, guiding him into her.
Jared gasped as he was swallowed up in warm, wetness so unlike anything he'd ever known. She rocked against him, her head thrown back. "You've never had a woman before." It was a statement, not a question. Jared nodded jerkily. "So much better than any man, isn't it?"
He couldn't say better, definitely different. She rose up and sank back onto him, making him moan.
"I am told that you fight for the love of a courtesan."
Jared's eyes opened and she pressed down onto him. Her wetness was all over him. She rolled her hips and Jared gasped.
"Is it true?"
Jared nodded jaggedly. "Yes."
She moved faster over him, riding him while she writhed and moaned, her hands squeezing against her covered breasts. Finally, she yelled out and ground herself against him, her fluids running out around his cock and over his groin.
When she had gathered herself, she rose off him, leaving him covered in her wetness and still hard. "That is a romantic thing. I wish you luck in winning your love." She leaned over him, smelling of roses and sweat. Her lips brushed his lightly. "Wherever you go, people will know your name, and whisper of this courtesan. It fuels the romantic in us."
She left him then, still dazed and not quite sure who she meant. Not that it mattered. Noble ladies aside, Jared knew what he had to do.
Title: Gladiator 5 ( all of Courtesan can be found here)
Pairing/Characters: Jared/OMC, Jared/OFC, Jeff/OMC
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 3313
Summary: Total AU. Jared fights to win the man he loves, one opponent at a time.
A/Ns & Warnings: Um. Warnings for this section include Het sex, dub-con sex.
Art, from
apieceofcake...The crowd was loud, rowdy. It was a hot day for the autumn, and they always screamed for blood when it was hot. The hotter it was, the more violent the crowd.
That suited him just fine.
His face was set and hard under his helmet. He cracked his neck waiting for the gates to open.
No one spoke to him. No one dared.
That too suited him just fine.
The gates finally opened and Jared moved out into the bright afternoon sun. The crowd roared as he emerged from the shadows, his armor bright, his blade singing in his hand as he warmed up.
Today's match was one more on the road to the capital. One more man between him and what he wanted most. There was a time when Jared would have pitied that man.
That time was long past.
Jared watched his opponent appear at the other end of the stadium. He had heard stories of the man's strength and bravery and showman ship. Jared liked the ones who were brave and showy. It usually meant they were stupid too. Risk takers. Playing to the crowd instead of playing smart.
He turned to the Lord's box and bowed. Lord Jeffrey was there, Jared knew. He had visited Jared the night before. Brought him meat and a special bread he had the kitchen make before each match.
They had spoken of strategy and their goal, of Jensen so far away. It helped him focus on the task at hand. On building a reputation that would see him invited to the King's tournament, on winning his freedom.
The horn sounded, signaling the start of war. Jared watched his opponent coming, waiting, his arms loose, his feet planted in the sand. The plan was to let Talicus, the champion of the House of Tellis, wear himself down with his grandstanding moves, the leaps and twists and heavy blows he was known for…so Jared let him come, watching as he picked up speed, his sword swinging around in front of him.
Just as he came close enough, Jared side stepped, the blow glancing off his shield as the man ran past. Jared turned, expecting more of the same.
He wasn't disappointed. The man grunted and yelled as he took several swings at Jared, all of them landing on his shield. The crowd was screaming encouragement, though it fell away into a general din and Jared wasn’t sure which of them they were yelling for.
His opponent was big, but no where near as big as Jared, who had bulked up considerably in the last months. Jared rolled away from his next attack, raising his own blade for the first time, using the flat of it to swat Talicus on the ass.
The crowd laughed and Jared made a bit of a bow, even as Talicus roared and dove at him. Jared fell over backwards, catching Talicus with his foot as he threw himself at Jared, kicking his stomach and sending him hurtling into the sand.
He was angering the other warrior and Jared knew it. He was, however, getting bored with the games. He saluted the Lord's box, his signal to Lord Jeffrey that he was moving on to the next step.
When Talicus came roaring after him, Jared whirled, his blade flashing in the air, coming back bloody.
Talicus staggered away, blood dripping down his arm. Jared sneered, holding his blade aloft for the crowd to see. They cheered as Talicus rounded on Jared.
"Think you're funny, do you?"
Jared shook his head. "Not funny."
It was time for the real fighting. Dirty, hand to hand combat. Jared adjusted his grip on his sword and closed in. The crowd was on its feet. Talicus swung first, his blow serious and heavy against Jared's shield. Jared didn't wait, his own blade swinging out before Talicus had even finished his swing, nearly catching his shield arm instead of his shield.
Talicus backpedaled in the sand, nearly falling before he found his balance. Jared followed, feinting with his sword until he saw his opening. He dove in as Talicus raised his arm, raking his blade down the exposed side, cutting through the laces of his armor.
Jared pressed forward. Talicus tried to protect his now exposed side as his armor slipped and in the end, he chose to duck out of the armor, leaving it in the sand and facing Jared in nothing but his tunic.
Jared backed off a little, let his opponent catch his breath while the crowd chanted. With the armor out of the way, Jared could make him bleed for them. Already his arm was red with it. Jared aimed to make sure that more of him was painted red before this match was over. Next step was to rid him of the pesky shield. Jared moved in, readying his heaviest blow, bringing it, and half his bodyweight, down on the shield, forcing the arm down, and bringing his sword to bear on the shoulder.
Talicus yelled as Jared cut him and rolled away. The shoulder wound would make the shield too heavy to carry. Sure enough, Talicus shrugged it off. Jared dropped his and pulled a knife from the sheath strapped to his calf. He smiled and closed in, circling quickly, feinting with the sword only to swoop in with the knife, to the delight of the crowd. He drew a bloody line down his enemy's chest, and a matching one down his back.
Talicus staggered away, attempting to keep his sword up to defend himself. Jared punched him hard across the jaw with the knife hand. Talicus went down. He crawled a few feet, panting and attempting to get to his feet. Jared kicked him hard in the ass, sending him sprawling.
Jared closed the distance, straddling over him, then reached down to pull off his helmet. He closed a fist in his hair and pulled his head back, turning him toward the Lord's box with the blade of the knife tight against Talicus' throat. He looked up and waited. The crowd was screaming for more.
"Well, my Lord?" Jared called out, yanking back harder. "What is your pleasure? Does he die in disgrace or live to fight again?"
Lord Tellis stood, his eyes surveying the crowd before returning to Jared. "I leave the choice to you. Let him live, and dine with us in the Grand Hall tonight. Kill him, and win the hearts of the crowd. Which will it be, Gladiator?"
Jared's eyes moved to Lord Jeffrey standing beside Tellis. Jeffrey's eyes flicked to Tellis and back. It was the nobility Jared needed most. The recommendation of another Lord to the king could be the deciding factor in his invitation to court.
"Get used to this position, Talicus. I'll be claiming what is mine tonight after I dine with your lord." Jared growled in his ear before pulling the knife away and shoving his face down into the sand. He stood, holding his arms out to the side and letting his weapons fall. "I am honored, my Lord, by your invitation."
He bowed deeply, then turned and stalked out of the arena.
Astin was waiting for him with a damp towel, but Jared brushed past him and into the guest cell they had been assigned upon their arrival. The truth was, he'd rather have killed the man. Playing to the political mindset was not a gladiator's way. Jared pulled Astin into the small room and shoved the door shut.
He took the towel to wipe his sweaty face, throwing his helmet into the corner. Astin looked a little scared, but when Jared stared down at him, he nodded, going to his knees and opening his mouth as Jared began unlacing his armor. Astin's hand on his cock was hot and Jared hardened, shoving himself into Astin's mouth as he dropped the armor.
He was no courtesan, but he was learning. He closed his eyes as Jared's hand grabbed the back of his head, holding him still while he fucked into him. Jared made quick work of it, coming even as the door was shoved open and Lord Jeffrey appeared.
Jared pushed Astin away and looked at Jeffrey. "You could knock."
Jeffrey smiled, his hand reaching out to catch Astin and turn his face toward Jeffrey. "I could, but then I wouldn't have caught the end of that." Jeffrey pointed Astin to the table and the kid went, putting his hands on it and bending forward. He glance once at Jared, then looked down at the table as Jeffrey stepped up behind him. "I remember when this was you." Jeffrey said, his hand lifting Astin's tunic to rub over his bare ass. He opened his robes and let his own cock out, guiding it into Astin with no prep work at all.
Astin grunted, then fell silent.
"Are you here just to fuck my boy, my Lord?" Jared asked dryly, sitting on the cot and looking away.
"I could fuck you, if you prefer."
Obviously Lord Jeffrey was in a good mood. Jared waited until he had finished, then sent Astin out to practice. Once Jeffrey had adjusted himself, he turned to Jared. "That was an interesting match today."
"I thought you told me he was good." Jared thought the whole thing was over too fast.
"You are clearly better. And, because you are, I won a tidy sum from Lord Tellis."
"That's why you're so happy." Jared got up off the cot and sighed.
"You wanted blood." Jeffrey observed.
"I don't like playing games."
"Keep your eye on the prize, Jared. Your reputation is growing. You are seen as valiant and strong, skilled and merciful. This is good."
"How much longer is this going to take?" It had been months since his leg healed enough to let him really fight. Months with no word but that Jensen was locked away in the palace of the king, never seen. Even Lord Jeffrey hadn't been allowed to see him when he was last there.
"Your name is mentioned in the highest courts, Jared. It is only a matter of time before you are invited to fight in the capital, the coliseum. Then you only need to keep winning until the tournament is set."
He made it sound easy, as though Jared wasn’t risking his life with each step into the arena, as if the King's tournament were merely weeks away instead of half a year.
"I expect you to behave tonight at dinner. I will have clothing sent down for you."
Jeffrey left the door open as he withdrew. Jared stared after him for a time, then turned to the table. He pulled his tunic off, standing naked in the small room. He lifted the small knife left from his breakfast and raised it to his left shoulder. There were two columns of five thin scars, marks of each victory on his quest, under the thicker one left by the cat he'd killed in the first match after Jensen was taken away. He inhaled and pulled the blade over his skin, hissing as it bit into him and marked him.
He was growing accustomed to the whole spectacle of dinner in the noble halls, even if he was less than enthused about them. He figured if Jensen could survive wherever he was, submitting to the royal family, Jared could survive the occasional formal dinner.
Unlike similar occasions at home, he would walk in with Lord Jeffrey, as a part of the visiting House of Morgan. He was dressed slightly more formally than he would be at home too.
Jared held his head up as they were announced and he followed Lord Jeffrey closely, through the crowded hall. Jeffrey inclined his head to Lord and Lady Tellis, and Jared bowed deeply.
"Gladiator, you're string of victories is most impressive." Lady Tellis said, standing and descending the few steps to stand in front of Jared.
"Thank you my Lady." Jared murmured.
"Talicus has been most favored in this court for a number of years. I've never seen someone beat him as handily as you did today."
"I was fortunate, my Lady. The gods smiled upon me."
"Yes, they really did."
He felt her eyes work over him, and beside him Lord Jeffrey smirked. Jared had heard that there were noble woman as enamored of warriors as the men, but he had never known one.
Lord Tellis cleared his throat, and Lady Tellis smiled. "Please, allow me, on behalf of my Lord Tellis, to offer you a mere token of our appreciation of your skills." She held out her hand and a servant approached with a tray. On it a small chest rested. Lady Tellis opened the chest and withdrew a silver dagger. It was more ornament than blade, but worth more than anything he had ever owned.
He looked to Jeffrey who nodded tightly. "I thank you my Lady…and your Lord as well. It is a beautiful…thing."
She held it out to him across gloved hands. He took it cautiously, making sure not to touch her at all. He bowed deeply and she returned to her seat before Lord Jeffrey was moving them off to their table.
"This is a sign that you are on the right road now, Jared." Jeffrey said quietly. "It will be necessary once you are free. You have no trade but fighting, you will need money to live."
"If I can hold on to it that long." Jared muttered. There was a reason that gladiators didn't own much…and it went beyond how they were essentially property themselves. Unlike courtesans, who had ways of keeping gifts, a gladiator would find anything he tried to keep stolen quickly.
"I will hold it for you." Jeffrey lifted the dull blade. "It will fetch a fair price once you are ready."
They didn't speak again as dinner was served. Jared kept his attention on his plate. The sooner he could get himself out the Hall, the better, as far as he was concerned.
"You may go." Jeffrey said finally, though his hand fell on Jared's arm as he moved to stand. "And, I would be careful about spending yourself claiming Talicus." Jared frowned at him and Jeffrey's eyes rose to Lady Tellis. "Something tells me that you will be entertaining fairer company than mine before the night is over."
Jared wasn't sure he could believe him, but he wasn't going to let the possibility derail him. He'd promised Talicus he would claim what he'd won. He wasn't surprised to find the warrior waiting for him. There was, after all, expectation.
Talicus didn't speak, only bared his ass, bent over his cot and waited. Jared held his cock, coaxing it to life. Talicus hissed when Jared grabbed his wounded shoulder. Jared was slightly surprised to find his hole lubricated with oil. It would make this easier, on both of them.
He pressed in and Talicus leaned forward more, taking him deeper. Unlike earlier with Astin, Jared knew he wouldn't come quickly. This was about making it last, making him know he'd been bested. When he finally did come with a long moan, Jared stood back and let his borrowed robe fall back into place.
Talicus stood, nodding to Jared. "Until battle brings us together again." Jared said, slipping out of his cell and heading back to his own. A single candle burned on the table, the remnants of Astin's less humble meal beside it.
Astin was asleep on the cot and he stirred a little when Jared opened the door. Jared was content to let him sleep for the moment. He was tempted to go out to the training yard and work out the aggression still boiling in his veins.
There was a soft knock on the door and it inched open, a cloaked figure ducking inside. Small hands emerged from the long fabric and pushed back the hood. Jared bowed immediately. "My Lady."
She smiled, her hand lifting to his face. "Jared."
"I…" Jared stepped back, his foot hitting the cot. Astin sat up suddenly, his eyes wide as he took in the sight of a noble woman in court robes standing in their cell. "Ah…this is my apprentice, Astin."
Her eyes never left Jared's face. "Run along Astin. You'll be sleeping somewhere else tonight."
Astin scrambled to his feet and out of the room, pulling the door closed with a thud. "You look nervous, Jared."
"I am nervous, my Lady."
"Surely you know why I have come?"
"I have…an idea, my Lady."
She nodded. "You didn't even try to touch my hands back there. I was disappointed."
"It is forbidden." Jared swallowed as she stepped closer.
"Of course it's forbidden. Fortunately I can touch anything I chose." Her hand skimmed over his cheek. "I would see you without this silly thing." She tugged on the collar of the robe. "Take it off."
"As you wish."
She smiled at that. Her brown eyes were dark. Jared fumbled a little with the unfamiliar garment, finally getting it loose and dropping it beside the cot.
She frowned a little then. "Do I not arouse you?"
"I…have already…"
Her eyebrow lifted, looking at the door. "The boy?"
Jared shook his head and she smiled again. "Ah, Talicus. That would be why Lord Tellis let him live. He knows how much I enjoy Talicus and his…talents. It amuses him to know that I am not alone."
Jared wasn’t sure he followed all of that.
"No matter, of course, it only means you will last longer and I will get what I desire."
"And what is it that you desire, my Lady?" Jared asked breathlessly.
"You." Her hand lay flat against his naked chest and pushed until he was sitting on the cot. He lifted his hands as if to touch her, then realized he couldn't. Her hand moved over his stomach to his cock, grabbing a hold of it and tugging. It responded slowly, but it responded. "Perhaps it only likes boys and beaten enemies," she murmured and Jared turned red. She liked the response, grinning.
"Lay down Jared."
He did as he was told, stretching his arms above his head to keep himself from reaching for her again. She lifted her skirt and her leg, climbing over him, his cock still in her other hand. Before he was fully hard, she was straddling him, guiding him into her.
Jared gasped as he was swallowed up in warm, wetness so unlike anything he'd ever known. She rocked against him, her head thrown back. "You've never had a woman before." It was a statement, not a question. Jared nodded jerkily. "So much better than any man, isn't it?"
He couldn't say better, definitely different. She rose up and sank back onto him, making him moan.
"I am told that you fight for the love of a courtesan."
Jared's eyes opened and she pressed down onto him. Her wetness was all over him. She rolled her hips and Jared gasped.
"Is it true?"
Jared nodded jaggedly. "Yes."
She moved faster over him, riding him while she writhed and moaned, her hands squeezing against her covered breasts. Finally, she yelled out and ground herself against him, her fluids running out around his cock and over his groin.
When she had gathered herself, she rose off him, leaving him covered in her wetness and still hard. "That is a romantic thing. I wish you luck in winning your love." She leaned over him, smelling of roses and sweat. Her lips brushed his lightly. "Wherever you go, people will know your name, and whisper of this courtesan. It fuels the romantic in us."
She left him then, still dazed and not quite sure who she meant. Not that it mattered. Noble ladies aside, Jared knew what he had to do.
