The General's male consort

A PROPOSITION

A duo of diurnal cycles hence, General Adrian rushed out room in a fine linen and jewelry. "Won't you have breakfast, my lord", the front desk lady asked in a graceful manner, "I might be late to see the young artist" "it's still early in the morning, you should try this lovely home made meal" the front desk lady while speaking seated the general and served him with a piquant and epicurean meal which General Adrian couldn't resist. "Well if you insist then it must be good", General Adrian eat with the joy of having taste of a mother's food after a long time in service, after the meal he thanked the front desk woman with a pouch of silver coins and with that departed to the shores.

General Adrian rushing out the Inn got to the sea shore in no time settled between the hours thirteen and fifteens. Upon his arrival, no one was at the coast area, not a single pin could be heard. "Uhhh, oh what peace one can find in simple things, peace that can make an angry spirit calm as the heaven, no wonder this young artist, comes here to paint, oh what a life" Resting his soul for a minute, he began to look around, left first then right, "hmm, he doesn't seem to be here yet" thinking to himself for a while he says," let me take a stroll until I meet this young talent", he paced on the shores, running his feet through the wet sand while thinking about home and all the responsibilities he must carry as soon as he goes back home.

Frazzled from the stroll, he looked around for a shelter to rest his head and then spotted a shelter a bit further from his standing, right under the tall coconut trees. He moved towards that direction but before he could arrive at his destination, another party came to sit. He stopped having the fast walk and walked slowly toward the other party, judging from the hair tied in a bun, long strapped with jewelry and fair , seamless and picture perfect skin, he spoke,"my lady, may I sit next to you, the sun is insufferable and this shelter is enough for two" waiting for a response, General Adrian stood there beseechingly. The other party just noded in approval without a head turn or a word.

The General sat and to put a cool on himself he drank some water. The other individual stated to arrange some things, first a board and then some paints ranging in different colors, then came out brushes in it's sizes. As soon as the General spotted the materials, he spoke softly, "Oh have you come here to paint, I myself infact have come here in search of an artist, they say that he comes to sit at the shores from dawn to dusk as an inspiration for his portrait, so I have been waiting all day to see him" General Adrian gave a long pause thinking the other party would question out of curiosity but hearing no response or questioning, he continued, "he made a portrait and placed it in the in I reside as of now", now the other individual, intrigued by the general's previous statement spoke in a slightly heavy tone, " And who might you be that he would make a portrait of you?". " I am Adrian" he paused for a long second then continued, "General Adrian from the capital and I am here on a sabbatical which was a gift from the king after a conquest over the peng family".

As he spoke the last of his words, " the other party stood up abruptly from his seat and bowed Infront of the lord, " I apologize for keeping you waiting my lord, if only I knew you were coming I would have come to meet you without hesitation,please do give me any punishment you deem right for", the general in a confused state asked," my lady I think you are confused, the person I am in search of is a young man and" , before his sentence could end , the other individual restored his position, facing the General, the general stood there in a stern position without bating an eye, an intriquet nose, medium sized eyes with a small frame. General Adrian stared in amazement after a while, a sentence continued, " you are the fairest of all the women i have seen in my life" a sudden kick in his brain caused him to look downward at the person and realized, the other party had a broad chest just like his and that's when it hit him, the other party was a male all along. " My lord, if I may ask why where you in search of me" He asked, General Adrian was still in dought of what's in his sight, thought to himself, " A handsome woman, No, a beautiful man". While the general was still in shock, the other party snapped fingers Infront of him to spawn him back to reality, " don't worry, I enjoyed the scenery while waiting for you". " Thank you soo much for your benevolence but I would like to know General Adrian, to what do I owe this visit", " before that, if I may ask what is your name ". " Sorry for the late introduction, my name is Liam, my lord", " okay Liam, the portrait in the Inn was made by you, hope I am not wrong", " you couldn't be more correct, my lord". " That's the most breathtaking portrait I have ever seen of myself, so I am here today to ask if you could make something of it's similarity, if it turns out just like that or even better, I will give you all the gold and silver you shall request as payment".

" To not worry my lord, you yourself are an amazing and strike up charming, I will definitely make it for you and it shall be my outmost pleasure ".

The dialogue ended abruptly and both men went back to their seat, Liam resumed painting while general Adrian layed back under the shelter to relax.

After almost a long while, the General heard his name being called, " General Adrian, General Adrian, my lord, General Adrian" he woke up almost immediately, looked up and saw Liam who apparently was one shouting The general's name. "Why is something the matter" the general asked while wearing an anxious face. " My lord nothing is the matter, I was trying to wake you from your slumber because it's already dusk", " oh it's night already, then i guess we should move to our humble dwellings, come let's get going" Liam held General Adrian's hand which caused him to stop in his tracks, "umm, I am done with your portrait my lord" The was a long pause after Liam's utterance, staring at each other, seeing eye to eye, General Adrian thought, how mesmerizing can a man be, he is soo beautiful with such enchanting features, only if he was a woman", with that thought going on in the general's mind, Liam who was also stuck in a daze, thought, " what a charismatic man, with suck an alluring figure and hypnotic gaze, he the true definition of any woman's dream". Both just standing and making their thoughts run wild, Liam snapped himself out of his phantacy, let go of the general's hands at a breakneck speed. "My lord your portrait is done", he said once again", General Adrian quickly spawn back to reality and said, " already, are you sure?" He asked with a look of dought and disappointment, thinking to himself that Liam must just scribbled some features of him on the board but as Liam brought out the board to reveal his painting, the general gasped in surprise with his eyes wide open, " you are really talented as they said, it's beautiful as daylight yet dazzling as, unsettling as the capital markets yet as calm as the evening shore, it's not just a portrait, it's a masterpiece, I must say ", " Thank you my lord, it's my honor you are delighted by my humble work, you are someone with very handsome features, it's no wonder the portrait came out perfectly " , " Now tell me, what is it that you require of this handsome man" the general said smiling shyly after being completed by Liam, " I dare not demand anything from you my lord but please do give me anything you deem fit for a humble peasant that I am" they both stood there for a long minute and then General Adrian broke the silence

" Anything you say? hmm", thinking to himself for a second, " meet me here at this very hour tomorrow and I will give a reward for your hand work", " okay my lord", okay then I shall see you tomorrow", " yes my lord" Liam said in respect as they parted ways to their various abodes.

At the very next dawning, General Adrian only had one objective in mind, " Fifty thousand gold coins, hundred thousand silver plates and ten of the finest linen, what else should I gift, he doesn't seem to be the materialistic type, he dresses in plain linen, I think he wouldn't care for that" the general thought to himself before coming of bed.

He drowned himself into his bathtub still thinking of the perfect gift to give Liam . "Aha, what if I make him a proposal such that will make him known across the entire kingdom and beyond, he is talented so I know he will make it but how"." I think I got a gift to give" his face brim with excitement as he bathed as fast as he could and dressed quickly, then headed for the shore after having breakfast.

On his path to destiny, a firework display caught his eye, the general stared while walking and bumped into a middle aged man which caused him to drop a basket of fresh fishes, "hey, can't you watch were you're heading" the man shouted at general Adrian in an impertinent manner. " My apologies, mister, I didn't mean to bump into you, I was captivated by the firework, I am soo sorry " General Adrian said to the man apologetically. "Pay up", "pardon me","you have to pay for the fishes, two hundred silver coins

"Oh alright then ", General Adrian reached for his pockets but found nothing, "I am sorry, I think I have left my bag, I lodge right around the corner, if you don't mind, please if you would come with me, I will make the payment" the man sat on the market ground immediately and started to larment and cry making a scene which attracted the attention of the traders and buyers, they gathered to see what was going on, "he refuses to pay me after scattering all my

fishes on the floor", " that's not it,..." The general tried to defend himself but looking at peoples expressions, looking at him like a petty thief, embracement had grown over him, he stood there in silence but the man suddenly started larmenting again which made him very furious, he snapped and molded a fist with his hand, ready to feed the man with his fist, right then someone said holding the general's fist and said, "how much is it", the general turned his head and saw Liam.", " how much does he owe you "," two hundred silver coins ", " this fishes goes for two silver coins and there ......" Liam paused and stared at the fishes on the ground , counting them and then continued, " Ten fishes, so that should be twenty silver coins, how did that turn to two hundred coins, I think you were him right ?. The man looked around just to see some looking with face of disappointment, others murmuring, cursing the man's behavior.

"This is twenty silver coins and this is ten silver coins, for other casualties" the man took it and scidadle out of the market place, those who had gathered quickly dispersed into the crowd.

"My deepest thanks for your help, I wouldn't know what to do if you weren't there in time to save me", " No need to thank me my Lord, it is my honor to free you from such catastrophe"

" Now you deserve a much more astonishing reward than I have prepared ", " You are wise, I know whatever the reward is, you have my best interest at heart, therefore I thank you in advance, my Lord"

"Speaking of which, I do not think I will get a better reward than I what I have thought off"

"Thank you for your benevolent, my Lord"

"Since I know for sure that we are moving to one destination, then please" Stretching his right hand in a direction, they both took that path and headed on.

Silence preached between General Adrian and Liam from the market until they reached the shores, General Adrian spoke nervously as if courting a lady, "umm, how was your night", " It was fine", Liam replied shyly while to the general while brushing hair of his face,since the cold breeze was coming in, from there the silence continued as they took a stroll on the shores.

"Umm, my Lord you asked me to meet you here today, at this specific hour" Liam stared a conversation as it was getting too awkward like newly weds"

"Yes, I have prepared several gifts for you, that you will receive once my sabbatical is over" General Adrian rested for a second and then said, "but the most important reward that I shall give you is that, I want you to come with me to the capital" Liam paused in his tracks with a Shockened face as the general relayed his word's, he came back to his senses, "General Adrian, I am truly honoured by this but I apologize I can't accept this reward, please do forgive me for being unfalial while you are benevolent" Liam said to the General while he kneeled and pleaded with the general "

"Please stand up, think about it, this a big opportunity for you, I want you to come with me and I can help you make a name for yourself, I can ask for a chance for you to paint some high status people, then you will be known all over the kingdom". General Adrian ended his statement before realizing that Liam was still kneeling, "please stand up" The general held Liam's hands to help him unto his feet but as he got up, he tripped and into the general's arms he fell, whilst the general's hands getting around Liam's waist to get a much tighter grip on him. "Beautiful face that puts even angels to shame, an enchanting waist that can make the court dancers hide in shame, what a man he is" Liam quickly resumed his posture and stood there awkwardly, waters rood ashore, splashing them yet wetting Liam, who was in thin plain linen. Liam who was soaked as if he went swimming stood there helplessly, "what an alluring figure, if he was a woman, even the king would want him as a concubine, hmmm how mesmerizing". The general thought to himself once more, when he looked up from admiring Liam's feminine figure, Liam's ddistressed expressions snapped him back to reality, "you are wet", " I am fine", "there is cold breeze being blown, you are definitely not fine" General Adrian took of his cloak and around Liam it went, "you can wear this so you don't feel cold", " My Lord there is no need", "please I do not wish for you to catch a cold"

"Thank you my Lord " Liam said with a simple yet sweet smile "

"Now tell me, why do you not want to go to capital with me" The General asked liam. "My Lord, I have lived here all my life, I truly believe that my peace lies here, I do not wish to move anywhere else but here, I am sorry my Lord"

"I will not force you to do anything that is not of your own will but I will not accept your answer, I want you to sleep over this issue, then you can give me an answer in two deil periods after, is that okay with you" The general said to Liam, invoking an aura of command and authority.

"I know you are king and a good man at heart but I do not aspire to live in the capital, I do not want to leave this place and also I want to be able to make my own faith, right here at the eastern coast" Liam said to the general. "I am not in discord with your decision, you are a young man and a talented one at that but time is of essence and I hope you can make that decision for your own good, once you are able to make a name for yourself, you can leave the capital and come back here, then all you need will flow to you like an ancient river"

"Okay my Lord, I take your proposition into consideration as you suggest but I want you to know that my decision might not change" Liam said with honesty and integrity.

Since they both agreed to here from Liam after two solar days, they headed on with their stroll and then they arrived at the shelter they sat together the previous night. They sat to take a rest, Liam layed down to the evening night sky.

"The stars here a truly an amazing sight, pardon me for the questioning but I heard the capital sky has no stars at night", " I haven't gotten the time to star gaze at the capital, so I really don't know anything about that", "you should relax and actually appreciate this beautiful night sky"

General Adrian layed down beside Liam, staring at the night sky like newly weds on a honeymoon, "it is really is beautiful sight at the coast, the sea is calm, whispering little sounds like music to ear, the stars are out, even though they are appear like diamonds, they are just gases you know that right? Waiting for a response but nothing came, General Adrian turned to Liam and saw he was already sleeping soundly like a baby tucked in bed, "he is really beautiful, if he was woman I would make him my consort and I wouldn't get another", the general said, brushing hair of Liam's face, Liam seemed to have felt the general's touch and moved a bit, "he is also a sound sleeper, if only he was a woman" a cold breeze blew which again Liam seemed to feel even though he was out cold, General Adrian brushed hair of Liam's face again , liam held the general's hand to his face and tight at that.

The general stood there in a position with his face all red, blushing, he stared away in a distance and then back at Liam, he stared and was getting closer as if being drawn by a charm, he rose to reality and slowly removed his hands from Liam's grip, he sat up and touched his chest, "why is my heart racing as though I just had I run, why do I feel hot at this very cold night, what is happening?", questioning himself without answers, he continued " keep in mind you are a general, a man and he is a man too, snap out of it Adrian", General Adrian thought to himself, not letting his thoughts get the better of him.

"What are you thinking, General Adrian?", Liam rushed into the general's thoughts at the very end., "I am doing nothing,was just about to wake you so we can go home, I mean to our various abodes ", " okay my lord"

They both stood up and headed on along the shores, back to the market bustling with noise from night marketers and traders, the headed from there, " you seem to logde very close to my home", " not actually, the Inn I am lodging at right now is on the opposite street from the market,", " then why are you on this street", " I thought it will be gentlemanly of me to send you home", " Thank you my lord " liam said with a confused face, " I thought such things happen when a man is courting a lady or perhaps does the general think I am a lady because of my feminine looks but my name should have given it out, wait he said he I was a young talented man so he knows I am a man, I guess he just wants to know my house, get your mind out of the gutter Liam and stop thinking about the general like that, he has being kind to you all this while, Liam thought to himself and a came to a calm conclusion. "Well this is my humble abode, general Adrian", " please,call me Adrian",

" I dare not, my lord, I know you are humble man but I dare not my lord, even if you insist "

General Adrian stares down at Liam for a while, " well then, it's fine by me either ways" he said.

"If nothing else my lord, I want to take my leave it getting late,"sure, stay safe see you in two days" , Liam said goodbye with a humble bow and entered his home, General Adrian also took on his way, waiting patiently for two solar days, to pass, so he could hear Liam's answer and yet still hoping in heart that it will be a positive answer, one that he desires to hear.