Quiet, was the night's lingering luminescence; fog hazily wafting about the shore. Boats in such beauty of Greek decor would be arriving in the morning. Heron remembered how he cherished gazing as boats roll by lazily within the water as a child, finding their grace to be so eminent and endearing. But these boats would not please him so - If anything, it worried him most for the time being. His father, king of Valkari, has proposed treaty to wed Heron to an unknown Greek princess in pact with alliance and wealth. Of course, Heron never minded company of women; quite the contrary, he enjoyed their ideas and styles. But if ever were someone to find out his true being would no less question his position than to take it right from beneath him. It has stressed him from the moment he had started this change of perception - Countless times he has thought someone would know, someone would find out, and if not- Only a matter of time. But sitting on the shore, waves lapping gently through the sand and waning around his feet, he smiled at the thought of how it all began, one tear gently making way down his seemingly wizened features.
Mysterious as he was, Keshen always had air of understanding left in his wake. Traveler would he be; not so enjoyable, but simply to make a living. To the women, charming and perfect; suave and gentle. To the men, muscular and wise; beautiful and bearing. He had always the right way with things, perfect with timing and always improving. But no one ever actually knew his true profession. Simply put, he'd be not only shunned for his profession, but feared and hunted for it and his beliefs as well. Perhaps it was always the secrets he kept from people that made them attracted so, yet the irony was so obvious. For it was the very secrets he hid from them that would drive them away if they knew, but he cared not. To get by in the world was to get by and nothing more. But it would not be long until something would indulge his life with beauty and peace- At the cost of letting go of the very thing which would make him happy.
He had been assigned a new mission, from a king whose residence was known as a place called Greece. He had been to exotic and foreign lands through-out his life, but had never heard such a name emerging this new continent; this new world. His assignment was to rid the kingdom of Valkari of its crowned prince, Heron. He was to get an unbelievably large amount of wealth with this new assassination, the most ever compromised in his profession, actually. It was on a brisk, cool night he was to do this; nothing too unique or different. And amongst the beach, where told it was the prince's solitary resting area, he had seen him gazing into the stars from the sand. Supposedly from this sight, even within the moon's grace, the appearance of this soon-to-be man had caught him off guard. Sleek, gentle brown hair cascading just barely onto his shoulders, amazing star-lit hazel eyes peering beneath sets of ashen lash. His frame seemed to be in the same build as Keshen's own, but only slightly paler. Donned in the kingdom’s attire (As Keshen was to be in disguise), robes delicately wrapped around respectable lower half, sash and rope holding fabric into place. There was one thing different, apart from his own garments; a single necklace wrapped twice around, embracing one tiny feather in the center. Overall, beautiful.
It had never occurred to Keshen in any way of his idea for love or lust. As a matter of fact, it never occurred to him to uphold any emotions at all. But within that solitary instant- In that breath-taking sight, he had simply wanted him. He had donned a simple bow and arrow for this assignment, for his own weapon too "unworthy," as he would say, to anyone short of the hand of God. Yet, as more of these emotional ideas hit him, little by little, the bow and arrow lowered. To Heron, he had spent so much time alone amongst the beach that the slightest winds sifting through the sand had caught his attention. From not so far away, he had heard something creeping; although this could have easily been a tiny creature dwelling for food to his idea, he had still kept watchful eye in the general direction. But once hearing a very soft thud, the distinct thud of Keshen's bow lowering to the ground in fact, he had become too aware for his own good and sat up.
Once realizing that he had been spotted, and the fact he had let his guard down, Keshen retrieved the bow and arrow to defensive stance and simply- Sat there. For the first time in his well-trained life, he had become unprepared. Before he had time to realize and take account for what was occurring, Heron was crouched in front of him. Of course, the strangest thing would not be that he had approached him, but the fact the look on his face was in sheer curiosity. In many ways, he seemed a simple boy with a lot of questions, especially then, crouching there and staring as though seeing a new wonder for the first time. For Keshen, trained and perfected in the art of ruling out emotion before an assassination, could not help but be simply fascinated by the beauty in this boy. It was always said that Keshen could no sooner find a worthy beauty in the world than to find true happiness (Which for him, seemed impossible); but it was in that moment that he could not deny beauty when right under his nose.
To Heron, the moment of silence seemed to last ages, both staring at each other in a somewhat adoring fashion. He seemed quite handsome when setting his eyes on this young man and had definitely sparked a flame in his ambitious, youthful heart. Quite odd, actually, that it seemed to different than what he thought attraction should feel like. But this thought was only for a split second- Before he had found himself pinned. As his initial reaction would supposed to be, he would have tried to free himself. But it was indeed quite the opposite – He was intrigued and held the expression of a blossoming search for lust.
Keshen had seen the surprise in the boy's eyes as he had no sooner pinned him down, than to realize that he had been surprised himself. There wasn't a thought in the world to bring him to that sort of conclusion or act. There wasn't even a moment for words, for the stillness to be broken, until they both inclined for a kiss. It seemed so passionate and so understanding for two strangers, both of whom were destined to be enemies. Every object, every sign of life dissolved around them, entwined beautifully within each other’s embrace, a divine kiss to begin something which could be epic. It seemed to last a lifetime, magnificent and succulent; neither had ever experienced anything so wonderfully amazing, it enthralled them to pull closer, pull together during that moment.
When they finally pulled away, both could tell the other had the distinct understanding, as though they had known the person their entire lives. It was a fleeting understanding, for not even a moment, but it was there. And when gazing into each other’s eyes, under that star-lit night, under that harvest full moon, no one could deny that it was something more than lust; something so much more that it had to be love- At first sight. Now of course, the stereotype who would hear of love would think of an astonishing and fragile woman, with a muscular, handsome and romantic man. But when love is true, its bearers could be in any form- That love would still exist as fruitful and beautiful as ever.
In all this silence, aside from the gentle waves and the nightly sounds lifted through the wind, each had finally spoken. Not in tones of hostility or in tones of polite stranger, but in sensual whispers that could not bear to be any louder. Keshen had simply whispered his name, as Heron responded with his own. And seemingly, this was all it took for them to indulge within another passionate embrace. Everything melted away, falling out of meaning – Only them and the night sky existed in those blissful moments... Even though this would be more than likely the only time they'd ever encounter, it was nothing like just a passing in the night. It was so much more, so enticing and true for such strangers to have never even crossed paths in their lifetime.
The interlude lasted for a better portion of the night, in silence and in beauty. In between times of their lustful embrace and moments to hold each other and just enjoy the encouraging waves, the world was their own; two souls entwined, the only things to exist and understand. Just as dawn seemed to peak its head over the horizon, painting its beauty in various colors, they had both sat upright – Sounds of numerous people and hurried footsteps along the beach disrupting the stillness of the silence. Soldiers from the Greek empire had come pouring in, invasion for plotted conquer seeming to take place as more boats coasted towards shore. Before either of them were able to move, despite both of their quick instincts, arrows had come flying in all directions. Both had luckily gotten to their feet in time to barely evade the first set of arrows, but Keshen seemed not to be as lucky as the attacks continued.
They hadn't run even four feet before Keshen's hand slipped from Heron's and had fallen, simply a bloody mess. At the exact same time he had been hit with one directly in the heart, two more had flown and gotten him in the shoulder and thigh. Heron knelt to grasp the bloody corpse and attempt to make escape – He did not wish to lose the very thing to bring him happiness just the previous night, the only stranger that had accomplished what many well known friends and family members could never achieve. Keshen seemed to be paralyzed, yet in the noise, he briefly uttered the word, "Go!"
Heron continued dragging as the Greek foot soldiers advanced closer, more troops already in the kingdom, but Keshen shoved and pushed, "Go! Go! Save not what thou hast yet to cherish later!"
Despite his own disagreeing heart, he let go – It was not easy, it even jerked a tear or two; something which was a first coming from the once boyish face. Having not even a moment's last glance towards the dying lover, all he could do is run. He darted as quickly as he could towards the only place he knew the Greek would never find, clutching in his hand the rope belonging to Keshen's garments...
The End
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