The Mist and the Lightning. Part II

Orel got pale.

"Yes, Orel, that's how low you fell. Your friends say such things in your face, do you like it?"

"I don't say that," Tol said.

"Orel, you haven't been such a fool, what happened to you? Where is your brain, up your ass?" Lis was shaking.

"Get out," Orel whispered. "Get out, I don't need you."

"We are not leaving, we are not like someone else who ran away. We don't ditch our friends!"

"He didn't ditch me!" Orel shouted. "He'll come back!"

"If he comes, I'll sort him out," Lis didn't stop. "And I don't care about those scary tales of him!"

"Just try to say something to him! I'll kill you!" Orel growled.

"You're defending him," Lis smirked. "And he is an evil, lying bastard. And a thief!"

"I gave him the ring, I gave it to him!"

"Do you think he is not coming back?" Enriki asked Lis.

Lis shrugged. "I don't know. It depends on what he wants. If he wanted the ring, we won't see him again."

Squint-Eye got up and came up to the bar.

"Why would he need the ring? It's bullshit!" He poured a drink.

"Stop drinking in the morning," Enriki said.

"Enough of watching over me," Squint-Eye snapped. "Ooh, there is a lot of shit." He opened a casket on the table. "No, he'll definitely come. There is all his money, jewelry and drugs."

"Squint-Eye, stop rummaging through someone else's things!" Enriki gasped.

Squint-Eye took out a few capsules.

"I wonder what it is. A medicine or…"

Lis and Tol walked up to him. Lis took several capsules from the casket and put into his pocket.

"What are you doing?" Orel asked darkly.

"I'll show them to knowledgeable people to check something. Soon I'll know everything about your beloved."

"You fool," Orel said. "Ask him, he'll simply tell you."

"No, I've had enough of his tales, now I know their worth."

"Don't play an insulted gentleman, he didn't deceive you. Nikto didn't touch me, not even once!"

"Yes. Calm down, I know."

"I think it was stupid to demand such promises from Nikto," Squint-Eye said. "No matter how much he'd try to control himself, his real essence would come out, sooner or later. He is not human, the whole city knows that. He is a dangerous predator, you have to be careful around him – since Orel decided to take him on our team. I don't mind Nikto but we have to take his nature into consideration and remember that he lives according to different concepts."

"He is human! You don't know him at all!"

"Well, now you know him," Squint-Eye smiled dreamily.

Tol took out Nikto's jewelry, the chain with nose and ear rings.

"Wow! It's heavy!" Tol admiringly weighed it in his palm.

"Put this disgusting thing back," Enriki winced.

Tol looked at Orel.

"Can I try it on? I wanted to see how it looks on me for a long time!"

"Why are you asking me, it's not mine," Orel turned away; he felt sick.

Tol came up to the mirror.

"Beautiful!" he whispered admiringly, pulling out the ring from his nose to put on Nikto's chain.

"We need to bring a doctor," Lis shut the casket. "We're wasting time."

"I won't let the doctor touch me," Orel shouted, "I'll kill him, I have enough strength for that, rest assured!"

"But why, for fuck's sake?"

"Because Nik will heal me, that's why! He wounded me and he'll heal me!"

"But it is stupid, Arel! Let me take a look, at least!"

"No! Get your hands off me! Get your hands off, Lis, or else!"

"You're burning! Oh gods! You have fever!" Lis grabbed Orel and yanked the bandage off. Orel screamed wildly. There was a crimson swelling in the place of his eye, seeping blood and white mucus.

Enriki covered his mouth. It seemed Squint-Eye's bad eye managed to look straight at the moment when he stared at Orel. Tol dropped the chain, forgetting to stick the ring into his ear, and the chain hung swaying onto his chest from his nostril.

"He knocked out your eye!" Lis screamed holding his head. "What shall we do? He mutilated you! Gods, what shall you do? You're a warrior! How will you fight without an eye? How?"

"Well, I do fight, after all," Squint-Eye said. "Orel will get used with time, I'll help him."

"What? What are you talking about?" Lis was ready to pull out his hair in anger.

"Nik will heal him," Tol said taking off the chain. "He did heal Asa."

"Orel, my poor Orel, forgive me! I'll bring the doctor!"

"No!" Orel tried to get up to stop Lis.

Lis ran to the door and at this moment it opened and Nikto entered the room. He and Lis nearly bumped into each other. Everyone froze.

"Curse you!" Lis shouted. "Curse you, you freak!"

He slapped Nikto's cheek, then the other, the first again, then once more, it happened very fast. Nikto pressed to the door, he was without his mask. Lis yanked off his glasses. Nikto screwed his eyes shut, tried to cover them, he didn't even try to counter Lis. Lis grabbed his hair, yanked it with all his force, pulled Nikto closer at first and then pushed slamming Nikto's head against the door.

Orel got up but grabbed his face moaning and fell back onto the bed.

"Pull Lis away!" he yelled with his last bit of strength.

Tol rushed to Lis, wrapped his arms around him from behind. Lis turned to him.

"Don't touch me, I'm all right. It's over."

He walked away from Nikto.

"If I'd wanted to kill or maim him, I'd have done that, you wouldn't have time to stop me. But I didn't harm this animal because I hope he might really help Orel."

Nikto slowly slipped down and sat on the floor; his cheeks were aflame, Lis's fingers left imprints on them. He pressed his head to the door and didn't open his eyes.

"I challenge you," Lis said.

"No," Nikto shook his head, "I don't accept your challenge."

"You cannot refuse to accept it, I insulted your dignity slapping you like a cheap whore."

"I don't care. You just love Orel, and so do I."

"Shit," Lis turned away and lit a cigarette standing at the window.

Orel clenched his teeth with pain and walked up to Nikto, sat down next to him. He picked up Nikto's glasses and put them into Nikto's hand.

"Nik, put on your glasses, it's too light for you," he said and his voice shook. Nikto turned to the sound of his voice.

"Arel, you shouldn't get up."

Orel hugged him.

"Nik, Nik, forgive Lis."

"I've already forgotten," Nikto smiled.

"Will you heal Orel?" Enriki asked.

"Yes." Nikto put on his glasses. "My vision will restore now and I'll take care of him."

He passed his palm over Orel's face.

"You're in pain! I was away for too long," he pressed Orel's head to his chest. "It'll get better now, my poor Arel."

Orel clung to him. Nikto leaned to him and kissed his damaged eye.

"Let's go," Lis stubbed his cigarette.

Tol looked at Nikto and Orel grinning like a madman.

"Yes, I think we should leave," Enriki said.

"Really? What a pity," Tol said laughing. "I wouldn't mind staying and holding a candle for them."

They left.

Chapter 3

A New Set-up

Orel woke up and yawned with enjoyment. Still half-dreaming, he stretched lazily and covered his face with his palms, trying to rub his sleepy eyes.

"Oh gods!" he flinched feeling thick cloth of the bandage over his right eye and recalling everything. He shivered, his sleepiness gone without a trace. He sat up in bed abruptly trying to suppress trembling.

Nikto who slept next to him opened his eyes and reached his hand squeezing Orel's palm.

"Easy, easy, don't be afraid. Lie back," he said.

Orel lay down obediently.

Nikto didn't let his hand go, kept squeezing it. "Don't tremble, calm down," he smiled at Orel. "C-a-l-m d-o-w-n."

With his free hand Orel stroked Nikto's fingers, black with tattoos, and gently touched the short stump of his ring finger.

"Nik, you're here, with me," he said, moved.

"Yes," Nikto stopped clenching Orel's palm but didn't let it go. "Though it is you with me. It is my room." He laughed softly.

"What happened yesterday? I don't remember anything," Orel tensed again.

"I healed your eye and soon you will be able to see as before."

Orel touched the bandage on his face.

"You healed me."

"Yes, yes," Nikto took his hand off the bandage, "just don't touch it."

Orel turned to him.

"I won't be single-eyed, will I?"

Nikto smiled shaking his head.

"You won't. You'll have two eyes, like before."

Orel lay back in the pillows, relaxed.

"It's so good. But is it for sure, Nik?"

"For sure, don't worry. But you can't get up yet, do you hear me?"

"Yes, I hear. I won't make a step without your permission!"

Nikto laughed again but didn't say anything.

"What time is it?"

"I don't know," Nikto shrugged. "But your friends are gone."

"Why are they just *my* friends?"

Nikto rose slightly smoothening his hair.

"Well, they are mine, too," he grinned.

"I asked you not to quarrel again."

Nikto turned to Orel. "We didn't quarrel."

"And with Lis?"

"And with Lis."

"Do you resent him badly?"

"Arel, I don't want to talk about it now. I need a shot. Later, okay?"

Nikto got out of the bed, came up to the table, took his bag and started preparing a dose. He stood near to Orel, turned with his side to him; Nikto's bare feet were buried in the thick fur on the floor. Setting the syringe against his neck under the angle only he knew he injected the needle into his vein.

Orel turned away.

"You're doing it standing," he said. "You really are a finished man."

"Orel, it's ridiculous," Nikto said.

Orel passed his hand over Nikto's thigh.

"Nik, will you stay with me for a while longer?"

"As long as you want," Nikto returned to him. "I'm all yours."

Orel moved making some place for him. "Then sit down."

"Okay," Nikto took out a few pills from his casket and swallowed them washing them down with wine from a bottle. Orel swallowed hard.

"Nik, can I drink now?"

Nikto gave him the bottle. Orel grabbed it gratefully and gulped quickly. Having emptied it, he stretched happily.

"Gods! Can anything be better? I'll have my eye, I have my wine, and my Nik is with me!"

Nikto sat next to him, turned Orel's face to himself.

"I need to check if everything's all right."

Orel got pale.

"I'm scared."

"Don't be foolish. Besides, you take pain well, I noticed."

Nikto untied the knot and took the bandage off carefully. Orel froze submissively.

"Nik, you can't see well, how can you check my eye?" he said suddenly. Nikto covered Orel's mouth with his hand.

"Keep quiet. Don't worry, I'll always see what I need."

He passed his fingers over Orel's eye, just like he'd done many times before, then smiled.

"It looks fine!" he said at last, smiling. He covered Orel's good eye with his palm. "Look. Can you see?"

Orel blinked his damaged eye.

"Yes! A little…" he squinted, his eye was tearing with light. "Nik, thank you!"

"Not at all," Nikto again covered his eye with the cloth soaked in the healing ointment and tied the bandage.

"When can I take off this shit?" Orel asked.

"Well, wait a little, not everything at once."

Orel got up.

"Hey, where are you going to? I've just told you that you couldn't get up!"

"But Nik, I need to piss," Orel looked at him fearfully.

Nikto shrugged.

"As you wish. Choose yourself what is more important for you, a good eye or…"

"Nik, you're joking, I hope?"

Nikto lay down in the bed. "I'm joking."

Orel flushed. "Idiot!" He got up carefully and slowly walked to the bathroom door. At the door he turned to Nikto. "Did you hear what I said? You're an idiot!"

Nikto laughed and threw an empty bottle at him.

"All right, go!"

Orel barely managed to dodge; the bottle hit the wall and fell on the floor rattling. Thick glass resisted the fall and didn't break.

"Fuck you!" Orel yelled and hid behind the door. When he came back, Nikto was still in bed. Orel came up to the mirror.

"Oh gods! I look like shit!"

He tried to smoothen his twisted hair.

"Nik, what have you done to me? I've never looked shittier!"

"Really?" Nikto could barely keep from laughing.

Orel turned to him.

"You're laughing! At first you mutilated me, made me a laughing-stock and now you're amusing yourself!"

Nikto reached his arms. "Come here, come to me!"

Orel lowered his gaze and silently walked up to him. As soon as Nikto could reach to him he grabbed Orel and overturned him onto the bed.

"Enough!"

Orel didn't resist. Nikto put him onto his back, leaned over him, his eyes glittered merrily.

"I hear, you're angry," he said. "Prince Arel Chig is displeased with something again."

Orel kept silent.

Nikto patted his hair, pressed his lips to it, then blew at Orel's temple.

"Should I call for Mina to comb your hair?"

"No, I don't need Mina, I don't need anyone but you. But I'm afraid – you didn't particularly like me before, and now when I look like that, you'll like me even less."

"Indeed," Nikto said. "You're simply disgusting: one-eyed and – just imagine! – with dirty, not combed hair."

Orel laughed. "Uncombed!"

"Whatever. You understand me."

"No, I don't understand. Are you just keeping me company while I'm sick? Or do you really want to be with me?"

"What do you think?" Nikto moved away from him slightly, supporting himself on his elbow. His other hand fingered his earrings mechanically.

"I'm afraid even to think about it," Orel got pale. "If you're just playing with me and then will leave me, I'll die. No, I don't even want to think about it!"

"Calm down, it's all right, I'll stay with you," Nikto lowered his gaze. "And I accepted the idea that I have to be not only a warrior here but also you lover."

Orel shivered and sat up in bed.

"But you don't want that! You just submitted to me because you were cornered! I didn't leave you a choice from the very beginning. Right?"

"Arel, calm down."

"Enough of calming me down!"

"Are you not tired of discussing our relations? I am," Nikto took a cigarette and lit it.

"Why do I always start a quarrel with you?" Orel said, depressed. "I don't understand."

Nikto smoked silently. Suddenly Orel raised his head.

"Nik, get up and dress."

Nikto looked at him in surprise but didn't say anything. He stubbed the cigarette and started dressing. Then he looked at Orel questioningly.

"Should I take the weapon?"

Orel nodded. "Now take the armchair, move it to the bed and sit down."

Nikto did everything as Orel said. Now he sat in the armchair, Orel, on the bed.

"Shit. You're obedient," Orel laughed. "I like it."

Nikto shrugged silently. Orel stopped smiling. He seemed to gather his strength.

"Nik, I rendered you a service accepting you into the circle of humans. You thanked me fulfilling my wish. Now we are even. Maybe I said it wrong, it isn't really so but it doesn't matter. The main thing is that you don't owe me anything any more," he looked at Nikto. "Do you understand? No more gratitude, no nothing. You submitted to me, accepted my whim, gave me what I wanted – it's enough. Now you're free."

Orel looked at Nikto's face but couldn't understand what he was thinking at this moment, no matter how much he tried. He would like to know it so much! He lost the track of his thoughts, stammered, trying to express what he wanted to say.

"No, don't think I fell out of love with you, I think it's just impossible… and maybe because I love you even more I don't want to keep forcing you. I don't know if you understand me but I swear by all my ancestors that you will be just my friend. Do you think I won't be able to stand it? I'll stand it, don't doubt. You said it yourself that I handle pain well. You will be on the team, as before, we'll talk but there will be nothing else for my part, just friendship. Believe me, believe me, Nik, you're free from my love, and there will be no hard feelings from me. You know it's silly," he smiled sadly, "but I hoped that since I love you so much, you'll get to love me too," he paused.

"Yeah, I was too self-confident. Well, it's just that it never happened to me before. If I showed any interest about anyone, they were glad to respond to me. And for some reason I decided that it would be forever like that. Well, it didn't work – and to kiss you knowing that you just want to please me and you don't have any feelings towards me – I don't want that. It is humiliating me, and you too. I need everything or nothing – yes, that's it. I decided to make a choice like that. Enough of this illusion of relationship, it is stupid. That is why, Nik, leave – go to the Lower City, to the others. And when you come back, I won't be in your room, I'll go to mine. We'll forget everything that happened. I'll never remind you about it," he looked away. "Perhaps I've talked for too long but I wanted you to understand that I don't need your gratitude any more, you're free. Leave, Nik, it'll be right. I respect your choice and there are no hard feelings from me."

Nikto kept silent. At last he slowly got up from the armchair. Orel tensed all over but didn't look at him.

"Arel…" Nikto started.

Orel stopped him with a gesture.

"Don't. Don't explain anything, I'll be all right."

Nikto knelt down at the bed slowly, took Orel's hand.

"Nik, leave! For your gods' sake!" Orel said hoarsely.

"But I don't want to leave! I don't need your Lower City and your friends, I don't need anyone but you!"

Nikto pressed his face to Orel's hand.

"You say you don't want my gratitude any more but I was not thanking you! I did only what I wanted myself. I kissed you not because I wanted to thank you but because I wanted to kiss you. Let me stay with you!"

"What? Gods, Nik, I can't believe my ears!"

Nikto raised his eyes at him.

"Orel, I want to stay with you. It's my choice."

"Nik, Nik!" Orel pulled him closer; Nikto readily leaned towards him, kissing his hands.

"Nik," Orel laughed, "stop kissing my hands, you silly! What a habit you have! I'm not your master and you're not a slave!" he hugged Nikto's shaggy head, pressed it to his chest. "You're not my slave, you're not my servant, we're equal, hear me?"

Nikto nodded.

"Nik, you won't regret your choice," Orel was shining with happiness. "I swear you! I'll do everything for that, you'll never regret staying with me!"

"I know," Nikto said, "I know."

In a fit of insanity Squint-Eye cuts off his long hair and bangs.

Lis tries to get friendly with Asa. He wants to use her to find out something about Nikto and to get to Tol by making her his lover.

Bey manages to find allies in his war against Orel. He attacks.

With enormous efforts and great losses Orel's soldiers hold the positions they recently acquired.

They manage to fight back the enemy but by paying a great price.

Chapter 4

After the Battle

"Everything will start tomorrow again! Do you understand it?" Lis said looking at Orel seriously. They returned to their rooms at 'Backara' to have some rest and lick their wounds. Orel sat in his armchair at the head of the table. His face was pale, he held his damaged eye with his right hand.

"I understand everything," he said tiredly.

Nikto and Asa talked quietly in Unclean over wounded Tol. Nikto said something pointing at the deep cut on Asa's side. She sat down on the sofa, at Tol's feet, and took off her ruined vest. The cut was not bleeding, it was smeared with the ointment in time; it looked much better than Tol's ragged wounds but still it wasn't too good. Not embarrassed at all that she was sitting with her breasts bare in front of them, Asa raised her arm for Nikto to examine her wound. He squatted in front of her, started preparing a thread and a needle.

"Now she'll have a scar on her side," Lis said. "Why don't you apply 'sama'?"

"She can't bear it. She still isn't restored after her overdose," Nikto said without looking aside.

He pierced Asa's dark beautiful skin and started sewing the cut neatly. Asa tensed with pain, screwed her eyes shut but didn't make a sound.

Lis turned to Orel again.

"Orel, what shall we do?" he asked.

"A stupid question, Lis. We'll fight." Orel poured a full glass of wine.

"Can you drink?"

"Of course I can, for fuck's sake! I'm not drinking with my eye!" Orel emptied the glass in a few gulps. "I don't know how Squint-Eye manages to fight but if not for Nikto standing by me, I wouldn't be sitting with you here! It would be my last fight today!"

"Arel, I'll finish with Asa and deal with you," Nikto turned to him.

"Don't hurry, I'm all right."

"Shit, I want to fuck Asa," Lis said. "This Unclean bitch arouses me."

"Do you want me to translate it?" Nikto laughed.

"No," Lis came up to them, squatted near to Nikto and passed his hand over Asa's arm gently. She flinched and opened her eyes. Lis looked at her with his eyes full of sympathy, his face was sad.

"I'm so sorry," he said in Unclean. He looked very upset. "You were very brave in the fight. You helped us so much!" He shook his head in distress. "I'm so sorry you are wounded."

"It's okay," Asa said, "don't worry about me."

"Yes, you're right," Lis smiled at her. "You're so beautiful no scar will spoil you." He reached and touched her dark-brown nipple with his lips gently. She laughed, pushed him away but did it lightly.

"Lis, I haven't done yet!" Nikto shouted at him.

"Finish quicker, I can't wait to do it," Lis laughed speaking in Black. Nikto didn't answer, he finished sewing the wound and smeared it with the ointment.

"Asa dear, let me dress your wound, I want to help you," Lis's voice was sweet like honey.

"No," Asa said.

"But why?" Lis was in despair. "Don't you trust me? Do you trust Nikto more, do you like him more? Tell me and I'll leave you alone."

"I like Tol," Asa said.

"But Tol is sleeping and he won't wake up soon, let me dress your wound, let me!"

"No."

Nikto prepared the bandage and Asa got up, raised her arms for him to be more comfortable to do it.

"You're so cruel!" Lis was getting angry. "I'm ready to do anything for you and I don't want to give me such a small joy."

"Lis, fuck off," Asa snorted.

"Shit!" Lis slammed his fist against the table. "Shit!"

Orel raised his head.

"Go get a wench if you need it so!" he growled. "Just don't make a noise, for gods' sake! My head is splitting!"

"I don't want a wench! I want this beast!"

Nikto laughed. "Hold back your tongue, she understands a little in Black."

"Oh fuck," Lis covered his mouth.

"Maybe I can be your friend," Asa drawled, "but you can't count on anything more."

"Fine, fine," Lis became submissive again. "I agree to anything, my queen!"

Asa smiled to him indulgently.

"You have a funny accent," Nikto said. "Did you learn Unclean among Reds?"

"Yes. Frankly speaking, I thought I forgot it but no. When I need it, it comes back."

"Lis, you want to a fight with Tol, right?" Orel asked.

"No, I don't. He won't even know," Lis sat at the table and smoked. "Like Enriki doesn't know everyone fucks his sister," he laughed.

"What a bastard you are!" Orel leaned back in the chair.

"So what?" Lis shrugged. "Does it trouble you?"

"No," Orel winced in pain. Nikto came up to him, sat down on the table.

"Let me see," he said.

Orel looked at him fearfully. "Nik, I'm afraid a little."

"Don't be afraid," Nikto took off his bandage and looked closely.

"What's there? Tell me, don't torment me? Did it burst again?"

"No, no, it won't burst, don't worry," Nikto made him toss his head back, examining his swollen eyelid.

"Aah, hu…rts, it hurts!"

"Quiet, quiet," Nikto let him go. "It's all right but it's going to heal slowly. If you stayed in bed for a few more days…"

"But you see I can't afford it!"

"Yes, I know. I just warn you that it will heal slowly, that's all."

Nikto applied a thick layer of the ointment over the eye and bandaged it again. Orel touched the bandage in distress but didn't say anything. Lis looked at them.