Sacrifice part 4

[krystalkatzfics]

 “Little one, we have reached my home” The lord whispered against his ear and Nino jerked his head awake. The clouds had broken while they climbed the mountain and the rain from earlier had all but vanished now. looking around his mouth falling open into a gape as he saw a castle perched on the very top of the mountain. It was huge, at least three stories, and many windows. It was like houses were built on top of houses, with each layer slightly smaller meaning there were many roofs. In some ways it looked like the mountain it was sitting on and it appeared to be made of the same blue stone of the mountain, but it was polished brightly causing it to seemingly shimmer in the light of the moon that was hanging overhead. The slopped pointed roofs were as black as the night as was the wooden frames which poked out here and there. Not even the temple in the village of Shadows was as fine and he couldn’t believe that they couldn’t see it from the village.

“This…This is on top of the mountain?” He breathed, and the lord let out a chuckle carefully jumping down from behind him and guiding the horse closer to the entrance of the house. Nino had never been on the back of a horse before and he thought that he should be afraid, but no fear came to him. The horse moved easily and, although it was big, he never felt as though he would fall from its back.

“Yes, did you expect me to live in a cave?” The lord’s voice was low and teasing and Nino caught the playful look which flashed before his eyes but still he blushed. He had thought that if he were honest, most in the village did, they had never seen even the hint of a house on the mountain much less a castle, so it seemed, to them at least, that was what made the most sense.

“No! Of course, not my lord, I…I am just surprised that it cannot be seen from the village”

“Why so surprised, my little one? I have told you I am death, that I see all under the sun, do you not think I would not know how to make my home unseen if I should wish it?” The lord was once again amused, and Nino fell silent flushing warmly and continuing to look around in wonder. “You will have more time to view your new home tomorrow, little one, and more light to enjoy it for now let us go in and I will show you to your room”

“My room? I will not be sharing…” Nino’s voice was a squeak. He didn’t understand a lot of what was going on right now, but he did know what a consort meant, and he had assumed that the lord would immediately want his rights. To know that he would have his own room was more of a blessing that he could ever have imagined.

“…Not yet, my little one, you have only just met me, I would not force myself on you or your company. Never fear that from me” The lord paused in his walking and turned to look at him as he spoke. His eyes were fixed on him and his face was truly sincere and Nino nodded slowly his heart jumping in an awkward way against his ribs. “Your room will be on the second floor, my own are on the first, you are free to go wherever you may wish only I ask that you do not go to the third floor alone. At least not until you have been trained a little more. The third floor contains many items relating to my work and until you are trained I will not risk your safety by going in there. I will give you a full tour tomorrow but now your room and then we shall have a little food” The lord turned from him and to the door, which had opened while they were speaking, and let out a hot shout of “Masaki!”

“Coming master” A voice, bright and eager, called from the depths of the house and Nino was surprised when a boy not so much older than him came running from within. Although they were close in age Masaki was several inches taller and had muscular arms coming out from the sleeves of a short sleeve top. His hair was long, though not as long as the lords, and his face was uncommonly pretty with a near perfect nose and beautiful well shaped eyes.

“Kazunari, this is my…Man servant, familiar Aiba Masaki. He tends to the horse and does several little jobs around the castle. Masaki, this is Kazunari of house Ninomiya, he is my consort” The lord explained helping Nino down from the back of the horse and Nino nodded awkwardly at the beautiful boy whose face split into a huge warm smile his eyes dancing like the stars in the sky.

“I am so happy to meet you, my little master! The lord told me he would be bringing you today” Masaki bobbed his head up and down before taking the reigns of the horse and leading it away from the house.

“You will have time to speak to him later, for now let us go in” The lord hummed gently as Nino watched the boy leave surprised by the genuine warmth he had been greeted. He allowed the lord to lead him up the steps and through the open doors into a grand hallway. It was more of the polished wood but this time it was painted with golden figures of trees, birds, animals, and people. It was all things that you would expect to find on the mountain, but the level of detail was amazing, and Nino tried to take in as much of the sights he could until the lord chuckled yet again. “like with the house you will have plenty of time to study the paints in better light tomorrow”

“I’m sorry”

“Don’t be sorry, little one, an inquisitive mind is never a bad thing and the look of wonder on your face is a thing of beauty, but you have had a hard day preceded by harrowing months. You must rest and regain your strength” The lord led him to the stairs and Nino was once again struck by how nice the dreaded lord was being. In the village he was treated with fear and respect in equal measure. He had never expected him to be so…Obliging. “I know you have questions but for tonight rest and then eat and tomorrow we can go through the most important ones…”

TBC

A/n: I hope that this is okay ^_^

Comments

[yumi_usagi]

Jun is sooooo nice and gentle. And Nino is so cute!
I'm sure Masaki and Nino will be friends soon
Thanks for sharing!

[kemala_octi]

ah a new matsumiya series, read the chapter from beginning and I love ittt

waiting for the next chapter^^

[reveetoile]

Poor little Nino is totally overwhelmed XD

[jheili]

Masaki appears!

[denyclamp]

I wasn't expecting it but of course a castle suits this man, and I'm so glad Masaki is here, I really hope Nino has some fun there! TwT

[gambitsfox]

So right now he is human....so maybe the magic of the job will change him later? Is Masaki in a magical state so he won't age? Is he human? Where did he find Masaki? So much to find out!😊