krystalkatzficz | Your Grace part 91

“Your grace” Nino whispered as the rode away from the camp with a pair of dove grey dune foxes following them. They were larger than Fee and Swift and were almost completely grey though both had matching white markings around their eyes and noses. They were more serious than Swift and Fee more focused on the track in front of them.

“Yes, beloved?” Ohno asked his arm wrapping around him more securely as he shifted the Shire into quicker pace over the grass land. The dune foxes also picked up their pace their heads becoming bowed as they ran.

“Are we going somewhere dangerous?” He asked softly knowing that Ohno wouldn’t take him somewhere
dangerous and yet confused as to why two foxes he had never seen before were coming with them.

“No...”

“Then why are the dune foxes coming with us?”

“Dune foxes tend to go where we go, beloved, they are never far away but these are the pair Masaki has chosen to be the protectors of the new low King” Ohno answered with a smile giving the two serious foxes a look that they ignored. “Umbra and Penumbra they are twins...Their mother and father are the alpha female and male of the fox pack”

“Do you have protectors?” Nino asked curiously somewhat disappointed that Fee and Swift weren’t with them though he understood that those two were special to Masaki. While with the clan he had learnt a lot about the Dune Foxes and although Masaki and the younglings could play with them as though they were puppies they seemed to live separate lives to the clan.

“No, the high king doesn’t have protectors though I suppose you could say that all the dune foxes would follow me if I asked and Swift and Fee tend to follow me even when I don’t ask if they aren’t with Masaki and Sho” Satoshi chuckled “In truth it has been a long time since the low king had protectors the former low queen didn’t have them...”

“But I am too weak...”

“Oh my sweet beloved, you have learnt so much about the clan and yet you still have much to learn” Satoshi sighed gently stalling the Shire and causing the foxes to stop short too. Nino turned to look at the elven king feeling ashamed and embarrassed about his lack of knowledge. Satoshi was helping but there was still so much that he didn’t understand or know. “Having a dune fox as protector is not a sign of weakness, in fact it is quite the opposite. You have seen the way the foxes shy away from almost all that is not Masaki or one of the younglings...They are our protectors and they would defend us with their lives as we would them but they are not the tame beasts the humans have in their houses of stone...Fee and Swift act as they do only because Masaki and Sho raised them from very young...It is an honour but if you do not wish to have them then you simply have to say the word...”

“But you would rather I have them” Nino hummed looking into the sweet face of the elven king. He still had difficulty reading him and his motives but he could feel the desire humming on Ohno’s skin.

“The highlands is a beautiful place, it is filled with many wonders and as we travel deeper into it I believe that you will wish to explore. I can not always be with you and although the land is as safe as we can make it there is still many dangers. Phoenix is a fine bird and will one day be a fine protector for you but he is still very young I would be happier knowing that you had two of Masaki’s finest foxes with you...” The kind said slowly, not talking down to him but making him understand his feelings in a gentle way and Nino once again realised how treasured he was by the man that had taken his heart.

“I don’t want them to go, I’m sorry for always thinking the wrong way”

“Oh beloved, none of that is your fault, the Draven’s made you feel that way and that is not something that will be replaced easily but you will get there, one day you will learn to know your true worth and I will show you that” Ohno told him pressing a soft kiss to his temple while Nino smiled pressing his body further into the elf looking down at the two foxes who were waiting for orders.

“I am pleased to meet you, thank-you for coming with us” He said to the foxes who slowly wagged their impressively fluffy tails. Just once before going back to their alert poses. Nino smiled and then hummed “We should continue ne, we don’t want to be away from the clan for too long”

“They won’t mind beloved, they are just happy to see us happy, but it is still a long way to travel and the best time to see what I wish to show you is during the midday sun” Ohno hummed clicking his tongue loudly as he flicked the reigns of his Shire urging the beast to run again. Umbra and Penumbra followed swiftly at their sides and Nino stared at them for as long as he could before he started to feel sick. He closed his eyes and leaned against Ohno enjoying the sound of thundering hooves until the Shire stopped again at Ohno’s urging. “Beloved, keep your eyes closed for a moment but hold firm to the saddle...”

“Your Grace?” He whispered softly doing as he was bid but feeling nervous as Ohno slipped down from the Shire.

“It’s okay, I am still here I’m going to help you down but please keep your eyes closed, you trust me don’t you?”

“I do...” Nino answered immediately and honestly. Ohno’s hands were on his waist straight away and Nino felt himself being lifted up from the back of the shire. It was hard not to open his eyes as he was carried towards the sound of running water. “Your grace...?”

“Just a few more minutes...” Ohno whispered against his ear and Nino swallowed breathing shallowly for a moment before the elven kind said “Open your eyes beloved...” Nino did as he was told and gasped loudly as he saw a ribbon on gold rushing down from the side of a mountain churning up the water below them but instead of white froth it was still a golden colour.

“What...”

“The elves call it the golden falls. It is only like this during summer and at midday. Because we hardly come this close to the edge of the highlands we don’t see it as much but I thought you might like it...It is said that if you tell your fears to the fall they carry them far away...”

TBC

A/N: Urgh....I hope that this isn’t boring >.<