Magic's Slave

NOW PRESENTING..... CHAPTER 4!

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A few days later, halfway on their trip to Amaranthine, Nathaniel unobtrusively watched Anders set up his bedroll through the fire that separated them. “Are you alright?”

“Huh?” Anders looked up from his fussing and nodded. “I’m fine. This is the least strenuous trip I’ve been on.” He laughed. “No one ever took this slow of a trip with me along before.”

A pained look passed over Nathaniel’s face. “Anders…” He stood and crossed over to the mage. “I’m going to take the first watch.” His voice was oddly quiet and soft and he placed a hand on Anders’ shoulder. “You get some sleep.” And he strode over to the edge of the clearing.

Anders settled into his bedroll, determined to get in some rest before it was his turn on watch, waking as he became aware of lips kissing him and teeth scraping his bottom lip, causing him to moan. He buried his hands in dark hair as the owner of that hair grabbed his own blonde locks and tugged his mouth away. “Now now…” A dark chuckle. “I’m in charge here. Or have you forgotten who your Master is? Has this soft life already erased your training?”

Anders moaned again and whimpered. He wanted to be kissed like that again. Hungry, passionate, demanding and claiming. “Nathaniel, please…” he whined.

“That’s not how you ask, Anders.” Hot breath in his ear, teeth on the lobe. “Ask correctly.”

“Master, please…”

“Good boy…”

Anders sat up with a startled yell. Nathaniel, who was standing watch with his back to the mage, whipped around, thinking something had snuck up behind him but relaxed when he saw nothing. “Bad dream?” The dark haired rogue asked softly.

Anders turned bright red. “N…n…no.”

“Ah.” Nathaniel nodded and abruptly turned back to the forest, a blush staining his own cheeks. He’d heard the mage thrashing around and moaning, but he’d assumed it was nothing more than a simple nightmare. And Maker’s breath, I’m not his babysitter. I don’t have to wake him every time he may be having a bad dream. “Go back to sleep Anders. I’ll wake you for the watch in a few hours.” He heard the mage mutter something incoherently and then settle back down.

True to his word, Nathaniel woke him shortly after the middle of the night had passed. The noble rested a hand on his shoulder and gently shook him. “Anders, wake up it’s your watch.”

Anders blinked blearily at him. “Hrrmmm? Nate?” Then his eyes widened as he realized who he was talking to and he babbled out an apology and staggered off to the edge of the trees.

Nathaniel stared across the clearing at him and opened his mouth as if to say something. Thinking better of it, he shut his mouth and crawled into his own bedroll and hoped the Fade would be kinder on him tonight.

They arrived at Amaranthine shortly before midday. “What are your policies on,” Nathaniel swallowed, “Slaves?”

The guard looked at him with a bored expression. “Slaves are to be collared and on a lead at all times within the walls of the city.” Then he looked behind Nathaniel at Anders, who was staring up at the walls. “That one eh? The Templar only brought him here once. Caused a huge fuss.”

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow. “I have him well in hand. He doesn’t need a lead.”

“Oh, I’m certain you do.” The guard smirked and leered at Anders. “He’s a pretty one, though. Almost like woman with that hair. Care to rent him out for the night?”

Nathaniel leveled a cold glare on the man. “You are aware that’s my property you’re leering at?”

“So?” The guard laughed coarsely. “That’s what the little cocksucker likes.” The guard reached a hand out to grab Anders by the arm. The mage let out a squeak and hid behind Nathaniel. “Last time he was here, the Templar lent him out to the guards after he tried to run away. I heard he was begging for it by the end.” There was a smug grin on the man’s face.

Nathaniel calmly reached out and grabbed the front of man’s tunic, bringing him in close. “If I ever hear you say anything about my property again I will gut you and leave you for the vultures.” He shoved the man away and stalked into the city, hand firmly attached to Anders’ arm.

When they rounded the corner, away from the eyes of the guards, Nathaniel let go and sighed wearily. “How many times?”

Anders stared at him, eyes wide. “How… what?”

Nathaniel growled. “How many times did the Templar do this to you? Use you like this?”

“I…I thought you knew. They… everyone.” Anders wilted. “Doesn’t matter how often.” He mumbled.

Nathaniel took a deep, calming breath. “I swear to Andraste and the Maker, we will get freedom for the mages. No one, especially no one who has no control over the way they were born, deserves to be treated like this.”

Anders blinked at him. “Ser, we’re going to make a scene. Please, let’s just go. It doesn’t matter what they did to me. I’m not going back.”

Nathaniel nodded. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” He waved a hand to head off Anders’ protests. “I know, you’re slave, I don’t have to apologize.” He sighed wearily. “Come on. The tailor is this way.” Letting out another sigh, he led them down a side street and though a door.

A short, fat and balding man met them midway to the counter. “Yes? What do you need?”

Nathaniel pointed. “I need five separate outfits for him.”

“Ooooh! I know just the style, Ser. Your slave will look stunning in this…” He rummaged around a box and pulled out a small vest-like top, and sheer pantaloons with embroidery on the side. “He will be the envy of all the others. This is the latest style. Just in this season.”

Nathaniel let out an incredulous snort, though he turned an impressive shade of red. “No. I need something he can move in. Not that ridiculous… harem… outfit.”

“Move?” The man looked baffled. “But is he not a pleasure slave? He is too scrawny, what else could he be good for?”

Nathaniel clenched his hands to restrain his temper. “Not only is he the new Healer for Vigil, but he’s the personal bodyguard for the Grey Wardens. Now find me something he can move in! And get this...trash out of my sight. I never want to see it again.”

The man huffed indignantly, and started rooting around in the back, muttering to himself. “Aha!” He came back with a set of robes that had multiple straps and layers around the waist, accented by furred sleeves. There was also light chainmail woven into the fabric, and the fur covered metal plates. “Here! Worn by the Arcane Warriors of the old Tevinter Imperium, and meticulously copied for authenticity and practicality!”

Nathaniel studied the robes for a few minutes and then nodded. “These are perfect. Take his measurements, but leave some room for muscle growth. Once they're done, they're to be transported to Vigil as soon as possible. You're to make this your top priority, understand? Money isn’t an issue. Just get them done.”

The man puffed up indignantly. “Ser, I don’t know who you are but you can’t just demand that I move you to the top of the list!”

Nathaniel pulled out the pouch given to him by Thomais and withdrew a handful of gold. “There are one hundred coins in here. I’ve been authorized by the Commander of the Grey to give you the full amount.” The man’s eyes bulged and he snatched for the purse. Nathaniel jerked it away. “Provided you can fulfill the order within the next few days.”

“Yes, yes. You'll be my top priority. Now leave, if you want me to get started. No need to measure. I’ve been doing this a long time.”

Nathaniel nodded at the man politely and, taking Anders’ arm in hand again, they left Amaranthine without further incident.

Halfway back to the Keep they set up again for the night.

“I’ll take first watch this time, Ser.” Anders hadn’t bothered to pull out his bed roll yet. “You sleep as much as you want. I appreciate what you did for me in the city today. I wish there was a better way to repay you.” An image from his dream flashed through his mind and he flushed. Thank the Maker he can’t tell through the fire…

Nathaniel blinked wearily at him. “Everyone keeps telling you that you’re one of us now. What will it take to make you believe it?”

Anders laughed softly. “More years than I have left. I don’t think I’ll ever be truly free from them.”

Nathaniel heaved a sigh and curled up in his bedroll. “Just wake me when it’s my turn.” He closed his eyes and did his best to drift off to sleep.

The weight of a hand on his hip roused him from slumber and he blinked his eyes open to find Anders perched at his side.

“I’ve thought of a way that I can repay you…” The mage murmured, sliding his hand along to the front of Nathaniel’s breeches.

Nathaniel’s face flamed and he pulled away. “I don’t know what’s come over you, but I don’t---”

He saw Anders grin. “You think I don’t see how you look at me? How your eyes watch me wherever I go?” He chuckled. “And you can’t claim it’s to make sure I don’t try anything. You trust me enough to stand watch, so there’s no need to watch me like that… Unless you want something from me.”

Nathaniel shook his head violently. “I’d never ask that of you! How could you even want to? After what was done to you?” His voice was soft, pleading.

“For my Master, I will.” Anders stretched out beside him and slipped his hand past Nathaniel’s waistband.

Nathaniel groaned at Anders’ touch and gave in. He gently pulled the other man’s hand away and pushed Anders onto his back, straddling the mage’s waist. When Anders reached out again, he growled and pinned the mage’s hands to the ground.

Anders tugged at the hold, whimpering a little, and Nathaniel nearly purred. “You wanted this; you’ll do as I tell you.” As he leaned down, he felt a sudden rush of vertigo, opening his eyes to find himself on his back, staring up at the stars, with Anders shaking his shoulder.

“Ser, Ser! It’s time for you to take the watch. Wake up.”

Nathaniel groaned and sat up. This is going to be a very long day.

They arrived at the Keep mid-afternoon and Nathaniel immediately sent Anders away to the kitchens and went to see the Commander.

“I can’t do this!” Nathaniel groaned and put his head in his hands.

“Can’t do what?” Thomais was alone in his study today.

“I can’t take care of him. I can’t do this. You can’t do this to me. I’m going to end up hurting him,” Nathaniel rambled.

Thomais raised an eyebrow and shut the heavy wooden door. “Alright. Why? Tell me what’s going on.”

Nathaniel raised an incredulous look at him. “Do you know what the Templar did to him? They…” He sputtered, “They used him. They rented him out to guards when he misbehaved. And I see him and all I want to do is…” He blushed bright red and lowered his face to his hands again.

Thomais covered his mouth to stifle a snicker. It would not help at all for him to laugh at Nathaniel’s plight. When he was sure he wasn’t going to start giggling, he walked over and patted Nathaniel on the head. “I’m sure you’ll do just fine,” he murmured.

Nathaniel twisted to look up at him. “I can’t believe you’re encouraging this! How can you say that?!”

“Because you don’t want to hurt him.” Thomais said simply. “If you didn’t care about his feelings, you wouldn’t be here. So, no matter what happens between the two of you, you won’t be hurting him.” He shrugged.

Nathaniel made a strangled noise. “You could just eliminate the temptation completely if you’d take his damn papers back.”

“Nathaniel. I’m not taking the papers back. Now get out of here. I have more work to do.” Thomais opened the door and pointed out into the hallway.

Nathaniel sighed and slunk out of the study, heading back to his room. When he opened the door, he blinked in surprise. Anders was on the floor with a large washtub, stripped to his smallclothes, and elbows deep in the soapy water.

“Ah!” Anders looked up. “There you are. I need your clothes. Strip.”

"I beg your pardon?"

He motioned to the tub in front of him. "Clothes. Now."

Nathaniel remembered how insistent he'd been the other day and wordlessly handed the mage his top.

Anders raised an eyebrow. “Breeches too. You’ve been in them for three days.” Then he looked back down and continued his washing.

Maker, there was no way that was happening, especially not now. He was blushing again and used the momentary distraction to flee to the training grounds. Once there, he was determined to work until he was no longer picturing a wet and soapy, nearly-naked Anders or unconscious, whichever came first.

After a moment, Anders looked up from his task and raised an eyebrow when he didn’t see Nathaniel or the breeches. Then he sighed, shrugged, and went back to washing.