The House of Morgan 2, Supernatural RPS AU, R

[phantisma]

Fandom: Supernatural RPS
Title: The House of Morgan 2 ( all of Courtesan can be found here)
Pairing/Characters: Jared, Jeff, OMCs
Rating: R
Word Count: 1741
Summary: Total AU. Jeffrey plays his own games while Jared fights before an audience that includes Prince Fallon.


A/Ns & Warnings: Um. Short chapter with a little insight into Lord Jeffrey.

Art, from apieceofcake...




Lord Jeffrey Morgan was not a man who liked to lose. Not even to those who clearly out ranked him. So the fact that Prince Fallon had out maneuvered him didn't sit well.

Still, he managed a smile and a tight bow in deference to the Prince as he entered the Lord's box above the arena in Marion. "Your highness, I did not expect to see you so far from the capital."

Fallon was clearly not happy. "I'm here because my father thought it necessary to show a royal presence to the barbarians on the western borders."

"And we are most grateful for his Majesty's attention." Lord Devlin Marion offered with a smile.

Jeffrey kept his disgust hidden behind the façade of detached noble amusement. He liked Devlin less than Fallon, truth be told. "At least there are games to divert you, Highness." Jeffrey said, gesturing to the arena.

"Please, it isn't as if any of the hooligans who fight out here in the provinces are entertaining. Nothing but scrappy bleeders and over-muscled thunk-heads." Prince Fallon strode to the edge of the box, looking down into the sands of the arena where young boys were fighting in groups. "Children, fodder to dull the senses of the masses."

"It is said that the two warriors who will do battle in the top match are fighters worthy of the King's tournament." Jeffrey eyed him closely. The man's ego was a fragile thing. He had to move carefully.

"You say that because one of them is your boy."

"You have seen him fight, Highness. He has only improved since you last saw him." Jeffrey slid back from the wall, taking the offered goblet from a servant. "I have heard trainers speak of him, comparing him to the great fighters. Lord Tellis compared him to your uncle Almus."

"Almus was a fool." Fallon said. "To waste a royal life fighting in the coliseum like some common gladiator, it was a mockery."

"Perhaps." It wasn't anything common, that was true. But, there were times when royalty or nobility took to the sands. Sometimes it averted war. Other times it was merely to stroke their own ego. "Yet the annuls declare Almus the greatest gladiator to ever fight."

"They declare that because my father pays them to declare that." Fallon returned to his seat beside Devlin. "Or would you have me believe that you hold my uncle in some high regard for his foolery."

Jeffrey joined him, sitting casually. "There is nothing foolish in being the best at something, Highness."

"When you are trained from infancy to hold a sword and strategize, it is no challenge to face those who fight just so that they will not die, my Lord."

That was just the opening Jeffrey wanted. He hid his grin behind his goblet, drinking deep as the sands were cleared for the next battle. "Then your Highness believes that you could best even the greatest gladiator in single combat?"

Fallon frowned, his hand fluttering in a gesture Jeffrey took to mean he considered Jeffrey a bother and waste of his time. "Of course."

"Interesting."

Fallon was looking at Jeffrey now and Jeffrey kept his eyes on the arena. He held his tongue. The bait had been set. He had only to be patient.

"Look, Highness, here we are. Lord Jeffrey's champion and the favorite of my brother Marcus. It should be an excellent match." Devlin said, sitting forward in his chair.

It was a match Jared had orders to win, but not quickly and not easily, though he was much more skilled than the older gladiator. Jared was to play to the crowd, make it look more difficult than it was, perhaps even bleed a little. It was all a part of the plan.

Jeffrey watched with passing interest as the battle began, his eyes steeling to Fallon from time to time as Jared pressed an advantage, only to take a hard blow to the jaw and stumble backward.

The prince was responding, unconsciously rooting for Jared's opponent, slowly becoming invested in each blow Jared took. The fight was long and bloody, both warriors looking worn. Jared readied himself to put the enemy down, Jeffrey had watched him fight enough to know the look on his face when he was done playing Jeffrey's games, but as Jared turned, thrusting his blade to take out the other gladiator's leg, leaving him alive and looking to the ranking Lord on hand for a decision, the other man stumbled.

Jared's blade slammed through his stomach, emerging bloody and dripping gore on the other side. It was a clean blow, the spinal cord severed neatly. The man was dead before Jared stepped back and pulled his blade free.

The crowd roared. Fallon stood, clapping politely. Jared looked up at the Lord's box for a long moment, covered in blood, before he bowed, leaving the sword in the sands and returning to the dark underbelly of the arena.

Fallon tossed several coins on the ground at Devlin's feet. "For your loss, my Lord." His face was set and his eyes dark as he turned to Jeffrey. "I will meet this champion of yours."

Jeffrey raised an eyebrow. Perhaps Jared had done more than pique the man's interest. "As you wish your Highness."

"Take me to him."

"Now? Surely he would be more suited to your royal presence once he has bathed--"

"Now."

Jeffrey controlled the smirk and bowed, leading Fallon away from the Lord's box and down into the dark bowels of the arena where gladiators lived and trained. Jared looked as though he had expected Jeffrey's arrival, though Jeffrey lifted a hand to hold off what he might have said as he stepped through the doorway and made room for the Prince.

Astin stopped fussing with Jared's armor and fell back behind him. Jared dropped to one knee instantly. "Your Highness, may I present Jared, gladiator and champion of the House of Morgan."

"I would see you. Stand."

Jared did as he was told immediately. His face was painted with blood, his armor sprayed with it. There were small wounds on his arms and one leg, but nothing serious.

"You have a fair face for a fighter."

Jared's eyes flicked to Jeffrey's, then to the floor. "Thank you, your Highness."

"You fight well."

"Thank you, your Highness."

It was very clear that Jared was uncomfortable. He kept his eyes on the floor however and his hands safely behind his back.

"Your Lord here seems to think that your skills are a match for any champion that could be brought to the arena."

Jared looked up at Jeffrey. "My Lord is generous with his praise."

"You fight to honor him and his house?"

"I fight to win, Highness." Jared countered, his gaze daring to lift to the prince's face.

"And what of you, gladiator, do you think you could beat any warrior put forth to challenge you?"

"I have not been defeated, by man or beast."

Prince Fallon stepped closer, standing toe to toe with Jared. The prince was not as tall, but nearly as big, his strong, broad shoulders a match for Jared's, his arms maybe even bigger.

"What of me?"

"You, Highness?"

"Your Lord seems to think that you and your crude skills are a match for the lifetime of training and preparation for war that a royal son is given. Do you agree?"

"I would not know, your Highness. I am but a simple gladiator. I do what is expected of me."

Fallon smiled. "Indeed." He turned to Jeffrey. "Bring him to court. See how he fairs against real champions. If he is as good at what he does as that courtesan I took from you is at sucking my cock, we will talk again."

Jeffrey bowed as Fallon swept out of the room.

"My Lord?"

Jeffrey pushed the door closed. "You were not supposed to kill him."

"I didn't mean to."

"But you did." Jeffrey couldn't really stay angry, not when they'd gotten what they wanted out of it…and not just the invitation to court, but the notion was in Fallon's head now. "Clean up and get some sleep. We're going to be leaving in the morning. You've got training to do."



Jeffrey would be expected to be in the capital with Jared by the time Fallon got back from his tour of the western provinces, which gave him nearly two weeks. He stalked through the dark corridors and out into the late afternoon.

If Jared was going to best Fallon, he had a lot to learn. Fortunately, Jeffrey had the perfect man to train him for it.

"My Lord, what brings you all the way out to these parts?"

Jeffrey smiled. "Looking for sorry old men with nothing better to do than harass nobility."

The older man in question was leaning against the outside wall of the arena. "I got your message."

"Obviously."

"I don't get why you want me."

Jeffrey nodded, moving around the man and looking him over. "I have a job for you."

"I'm retired."

"Yes, Kallin, I know you are. But I'll make it worth your while."

Kallin pushed off the wall. "You know what you're asking me to do isn't exactly legal."

"It isn't illegal either."

"If Fallon finds out I was involved, he'll have my head."

That was true. Kallin was once trainer to the royal family and Fallon was his star pupil, until Fallon was injured in a training accident and demanded Kallin be fired. Actually he had demanded him killed, but Jeffrey's father had intervened and given him sanctuary and a job training Jeffrey and his brothers.

"I only need you to give the boy a few pointers, teach him how to take Fallon down."

For a long moment Jeffrey was sure he'd refuse. "Tell me why. I get the whole thing with Fallon. But why this boy? Why like this?"

"Isn't it enough that Fallon will be disgraced? Publically. In the coliseum, in front of his father."

Kallin's eyes narrowed and he walked around Jeffrey. "For me? Sure. Plenty good for me. But you? I sense you have other reasons."

Jeffrey smiled. "We leave in the morning. If you're coming with us, meet us at the gates."

Jeffrey walked away, knowing Kallin would join them. He wouldn't be able to resist the temptation. Now all Jeffrey had to do was make sure that Fallon couldn't either.