Equipoise by Fielding Kim

Author:Fielding, Kim [Fielding, Kim]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-01-26T06:00:00+00:00

***

Three more days passed before Miner and Hils grudgingly agreed to permit Ennek to travel. They spent those days strategizing as best as they could, helping Hils devise arguments to persuade people to join their cause. They also decided that in six months, Ennek would send a bird to Praesidium to see whether Hils was ready for them.

“I look forward to meeting a talking bird,” Hils said with a grin.

Miner looked up from the bag he was packing. “I just hope it doesn’t get you in as much trouble as the seagull got us.”

They ended up keeping most of their belongings at Hils’ house, and taking with them only the necessities. Miner regretfully packed his drawing things in a box Hils gave him and they watched as Hils put the box in one of his overstuffed closets. Ennek did persuade his lover to take a single book with him, however: a fancifully illustrated volume on the history of Praesidium. They chose that one not so much for the content as for the fact that it was quite challenging, and therefore would help Miner improve his reading skills.

Hils brought Ennek a very nice sword. Although Miner still carried the one he’d taken from the bandits on the way to Luli’s village, Ennek had abandoned his in the Chief’s office—not a memory he cared to dwell upon. And in any case, the weapon that Hils gave him was much better.

The three of them had discussed at length the practicalities of the journey. A wagon would be comfortable and swift, but dangerous. Neither Ennek nor Miner were skilled as coachmen, and they couldn’t risk recognition by hiring someone to drive them. Horseback was another option; Ennek was practiced enough at that. But as it turned out, Miner had ridden the minimum required by his Guard training and that had been many years before he was placed in Stasis. Besides, they would be very visible on horseback, and unable to duck off the road easily when they came across other travelers.

So in the end, they settled on their own two feet. As Miner had pointed out, they were used to that particular mode of transportation and it had served them well enough.

They double-checked their bags as they waited for night to fall. The silence was slightly awkward as Miner and Ennek laced up the boots Hils had bought them, buckled on their swords, and buttoned their coats. They each lifted their bags onto their shoulders. Hils walked them down the narrow back stairs and then stood in the small doorway, his body silhouetted in the light behind him.

“Thank you,” Ennek said, his voice unexpectedly hoarse.

Miner murmured his thanks as well.

And then, to everyone’s astonishment, Hils grabbed Ennek for a strong embrace and quick, fierce kiss. Miner looked more bemused than upset when the two men parted, but then Hils grabbed him as well, giving him a kiss that was equally intense. Hils stepped back into the doorway, smiling. “I couldn’t let you either of you go without doing that, just this once.

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