The Trials of Alar

11

As Alar awoke upon the gravelly riverbank, King Fagan’s entourage approached the gates of Boarra. It was a grand sight without a doubt, especially considering how much smaller Corallia was than Kentros. Word of their early arrival had evidently reached the ears of the king, as their procession was welcomed into the city by rows of Corallian soldiers lined up along the streets. Fagan smiled and waved to the crowds as they passed, but Adam could see the guards’ heads turning this way and that searching for any sign of trouble. Though he still enjoyed being in a sort of parade for others to admire, he had learned from his recent experiences, and likewise kept a weather eye out. Just like his Alar would have done.

Nothing untoward occurred on their route to the royal residence. There they were met by the king and queen themselves, standing at the top of the stairs. A pompous and slightly paunchy middle-aged squirrel stepped forward to announce the arrival of the royal party.

“Sire! His Royal Majesty King Fagan and the company from Kentros!”

The gray squirrel king nodded slowly and waved majestically for the announcer to step aside. He bowed and did so, allowing the two kings to greet each other at last.

“Good morning, King Fagan,” spoke King Basil. It had been difficult to judge before how old he was based on his pelage alone, but his voice denoted that he was certainly older than Fagan, though not by much. Queen Helen, standing calm and dignified beside him, was fairly plain by the standards of most squirrels, and like her husband, she maintained a polite but cold demeanor that could keep even good friends at bay.

“Good morning, King Basil,” Fagan replied. “And thank you for your cordial reception.”

“I trust your journey was not too difficult, as you come slightly earlier than expected,” spoke Basil as the party dismounted.

“I apologize for sending no warning. But alas, we were hoping to throw off any would-be assassins who might have known of our plans ahead of time.”

“Quite understandable under the circumstances. Did your tactic work?”

“I’m afraid not,” replied Fagan as he arrived at the top of the stairs. “We were waylaid in the mountains by a few, and one enterprising fellow even tried to crush me with a cart on the way out of Parras.”

“Good heavens!” exclaimed the queen. “I hope you were not injured in any way.”

“We sustained three losses, a sore blow to us all. One in particular was a dear friend to myself, and much more to others present.”

“I am so very sorry to hear that,” said the king, sounding as sincere as his disposition would permit. “Please, come inside and tell us all about it over lunch. Your mounts will be well cared for.”

“And what of my guard?”

“They are welcome to join us. We have plenty of room at our table.”

Thus, they retired inside and were given a brief opportunity to refresh themselves before joining the royal couple at board. There the retinue of Kentros acquainted themselves with the members of Corallia’s delegation who would be present at the next day’s ceremony.

“Now you’re here, there is no reason to delay,” explained King Basil. “The signing will take place at Saint Roxa Cathedral down the street tomorrow afternoon, presided over by our delegation and witnessed by our own Father Thangar.”

“Sounds quite reasonable to me,” said Fagan. “I take it the cathedral is secure?”

“More so even than this palace, I assure you. We shall have guards aplenty posted outside and along the avenue, and our court mage will create a spell dampener around the building to prevent the use of any harmful magic. It should be a simple matter of a short ride followed by a brief formal signing, and all is done. If these would-be assassins are foolish enough to try anything, they will find us more than prepared.”

“Splendid. We look forward to it, then.”

“As do we. And I thank you for coming all this way, especially given the danger.”

“Think nothing of it. Just be sure we’ve a keg to open afterward, and the pleasure’s all mine.”

Fagan laughed, and even Basil couldn’t help but grin at his fellow monarch’s wit as they took another bite of the rather light lunch, which was but a holdover until the much grander supper planned for that evening. And so the chatter went on between the two parties. Of all the Corallian squirrels present, Adam was most intrigued by the chief minister and mage of King Basil, whose name was Findar. Although a gruff old gray with a very drab sense of fashion, Adam nevertheless liked Findar. He had always heard that mages were broody and severe with no sense of humor, but Findar proved that quite wrong. He was the kind of squirrel Alar would have gotten along with immensely: one who liked his drink and his songs, and had what Adam considered a rather bawdy sense of humor.

“Mages have only got a few hundred years to live,” said Findar at one point. “Why waste them trying to be as saintly as a damned statue?”

After lunch, Fagan’s entourage dispersed to their lodgings while the two kings continued talking with their personal advisers. As an honored guest, Adam was conducted to his chamber by a palace squirrel named Algernon, who would act as his personal servant for the duration of his stay.

“Here you are, sir,” said the servant, whose name suited well his crisp, extremely well-mannered exterior. “Your living quarters for the duration of your stay.”

Adam looked around. It was not huge or spacious like his room with Alar had been back in Parras, but it positively reeked of luxury. There was a fireplace, plush carpeting, and a dining table with two chairs. Two more chairs sat along the wall, and a rack for hats and outer garments stood beside the door. Adam walked to the other side of the room and opened a door leading to a private bedchamber. His belongings had already been brought up, and rested beside the massive, silk-covered bed. The soft blankets and pillows looked very inviting after a morning of travel on a half night’s sleep at best.

“It’s lovely, Algernon,” he said at last. “Thank you.”

“It is entirely the king’s doing, sir. Is there anything more you require to make your stay more comfortable?”

“Not just now, thanks. I was thinking of retiring for a little nap, in fact.”

“Very good, sir.”

“If you could, though, I’d like a reminder about half an hour before dinner so I can get ready.”

“Nothing simpler, sir. Will there be any further orders?”

“No, thank you. That’s all.”

“Very well, m’lord. I shall retire and allow you to rest now. Should you need anything in the meantime, I shall be in the next chamber.”

“All right.”

The dutiful servant bowed, backed out of the room, and closed the door all in the same fluid movement. Truly, there was a master of his art. His talents were utterly wasted on such a simple, humble squirrel as Adam. Still, he figured, he may as well make the best of it. And since he really was feeling drowsy from lunch, he decided to slip out of his traveling clothes and try out the bed.

It was every bit as comfortable as it looked, and within mere minutes, he was once more asleep. It was not a dreamless sleep. Visions came to Adam from throughout his life, all involving Alar in one way or another. He wasn’t even sure they were real, most of them, but they comforted him immensely. He settled on one especially warm memory of the two of them lying together in their bed back home. It was early one summer morn just a couple years after they had gotten married. It was a Sabbath day, so they had stayed abed long enough for the sun to start streaming in through the window.

His eyes were half closed as the golden rays reflected off his radiant white chest fur. Alar was propped up on his elbow behind him, his other arm wrapped loosely about Adam’s waist as usual. He remembered the exact feel of Alar’s whiskers as he bent over to kiss him on the cheek.

“Good morning, my love,” he said softly.

“Good morning, indeed,” Adam answered. “Best one I’ve seen in a long time.”

“Mmm, and what makes it so wonderful?” asked Alar, kissing him again.

“Looks beautiful out, for one.”

“Mhmm…”

“And I slept so well besides.”

“Good, good…”

“I’ve just got this one little problem.”

“And what’s that?” Alar tried to sound concerned, though the corners of his mouth were curled into a knowing smile.

Adam took hold of Alar’s paw and guided it down to rest upon his already semi-erect shaft. “This right here.”

“I see,” said Alar, stroking it gently. “Maybe I can take care of that for you.”

“Mmm, that’d be just great.”

The two kissed on the lips as Alar took firm hold of his member. And that was it. Even now in his hazy dreamy state, he could feel Alar’s experienced paw as it moved up and down along his shaft; his tongue as it licked his muzzle vigorously; his erect member as it pressed against Adam’s tail hole. It all joined together into a single beautiful sensation, and an indescribable warmth within that grew more and more intense as seconds went by. Adam’s grip on the sheets tightened as his muscles tensed up. Then came that moment of purest joy. The sheer intensity of the physical sensation, mingled with the powerful emotions he was experiencing on beholding his life’s love, proved too much for his dreaming self, and at last he simply passed out. Then things began to lighten again.

Adam stirred and opened his eyes drowsily. As he stretched, he noticed the sheen on the fur of his midriff. He touched it, then immediately realized from the warmth what it was and smiled. He hadn’t had a wet dream since his youth. Evidently he had gotten so used to his almost daily release with Alar that after a couple days without, his body had decided to help itself out.

“Thanks, hon,” he whispered, glancing out the window toward the heavens where his beloved no doubt resided.

Suddenly the door opened, and in stepped Algernon. The gray squirrel averted his eyes modestly, but announced: “I’m sorry to disturb you, sir, but supper will be served in half an hour’s time.”

“Ah, thank you, Algernon,” said Adam as he sat up on the edge of the bed.

The servant nodded as best he could, then stepped sharply out and closed the door swiftly but silently behind. Adam felt more amused than embarrassed, and chuckled to himself like a little kit. Shaking his head, he wiped himself off as best he could with his blankets, then got up to go make himself presentable for dinner.