The King surveyed the arrival of his nephew's chariots from the front steps of the castle. He always enjoyed Caspian's visits, his temperament much more to the king's liking than that of his son's... there was too much of his mother in him. In Xander's opinion, it made him too soft and it worried the king, that his legacy was not shaped as he wished it to be.
"Your Majesty" said Lord Caspian, bowing before his uncle, before straightening up and ascending the stairs to grasp his uncle's open hand.
"You look too thin" said the king lifting his nephew's chin in his hand, turning his face in the flickering light of the torches.
"It is the Lorrean winter sir, it makes hunting a chore more than a sport." sighed Caspian.
"No matter, we'll fatten you up in no time! The cook is preparing a sumptuous feast in your honour tomorrow night, but meanwhile you may have whatever your heart desires from my kitchen" said the king, steering his nephew indoors.
"Thank you my lord" said Caspian, bowing his head again. "Where is Prince Henry? I have something I want to show him... I think it rather entertaining, maybe he will enjoy it too."
"Oh, he is... he has his hand's full at the moment. I daresay he'll enlighten you to the reason, soon enough" Chortled the king, watching his nephew shrug off his fur cloak. The king wanted very much to tell his nephew why his son was not present, but swallowed his pride to allow Henry the thrill of disclosing the identity of his newest captive.
"No matter. Please inform the prince, that if it pleases him I would request that he seek me out in two hours, my lord, for a most pleasant surprise ." he said, with a twisted grin.
The king nodded and snapped his fingers - a young boy in uniform nodded and scurried off down the halls.
"Now, come, you must be famished" said the king, steering his nephew by the shoulder towards the kitchen.
* There was a knock on the heavy oak door of Henry's bedchamber. "Enter" he replied gruffly, as he pulled a shirt over his head. A timid looking servant entered, bowing before the prince.
"Yes?" asked the prince, as he continued dressing.
"My Prince, Lord Caspian has just arrived and sends word, that if it pleases you, he would like for you to seek him out in two hours time, so he may show you something" said the boy in a low voice.
"Did my cousin say what he wanted to show me?" asked Henry, frowning at the thought that Caspian wanted Henry to come to him and not vice versa.
"No sir, just that it was a surprise that would be very pleasing." he answered.
Henry snorted, he doubted very much that what Caspian's idea of pleasing was the same as his. However, he looked at the boy and said "Very well, inform lord Caspian that I shall be coming." He waved his hand in dismissal and the servant closed the door behind him.
Henry rubbed his temples with both hands, not relishing the idea of being in Caspian's company. His mood lifter however when he remembered the Princess, and the look on Caspian's face when he would find out.
* Caspian was lodging in the east wing, and Henry was in no hurry to greet him. In fact, he was an hour later than when he was supposed to arrive, but that didn't bother him at all. Henry motioned for Caspian's guards to open the doors to his chamber. They knocked quickly but opened the doors without waiting for an answer. In that fashion, they respected their master yet heeded the Prince's order.
He stepped through the doors but paused after a few steps, taking in the scene before his eyes. Caspian was standing naked, his broad back to the prince. His back gleamed in perspiration as he drove his hips forward, into what Henry could only assume was a girl, judging by the screams. Oddly, there were two pairs of legs sticking out in front of his cousin, in a X -like pattern on both sides.
Henry cleared his throat loudly, causing Caspian to look over his shoulder, his smile widening as he spotted his cousin. He stepped away, allowing Henry a clear view, causing his breath catch in his chest at the sight. Two women lay on the bed, naked and tied together, front to front, with rope around their midriffs.
"I thought you were not coming cousin, so I started by myself- I beg your forgiveness" he smirked, as he wiped his sweaty brow with the back of his hand, inclining his head to the prince.
"This is your surprise?" asked the prince, indicating to the whimpering girls. Henry was not in the least bit surprise that this is what his cousin thought a 'pleasant surprise' consisted of, even less surprised that he had started without him. Henry suspected that this is what would have greeted his eyes even if he came on time.
"Does it not please you my Prince?" he asked, his face feigning surprise, at Henry's look of disapproval. "They were hiding from us, but we found them. These maidens are being punished, sir" he said, giving the rump of the top girl a playful slap, causing her to cry out in pain.
"And what was their crime Caspian? I know you enjoy a maiden like the next man- or more than the next man actually, but have you now outlawed it?" he jested, his eyebrows arched in mock surprise.
"Funny cousin, but they really did break the law. See, they were recently married and did not present themselves to the local Lord - in their case, me. They violated the law of 'Droit du seigneur'. They sought to deceive me, had their weddings in secret, but I found out, didn't I ladies?" he laughed, slapping the lower woman's behind this time, eliciting a sharp intake of breath.
Henry's eyebrows furrowed as he looked at his cousin. "You know, most lords regard that law as a guideline and not so much as a law that needs to be upheld."
"Oh don't fret cousin. I don't do this with ALL the young maidens," he said in a pseudo dignified voice "only the pretty ones" he winked as he stroked his erect shaft.
"So, are you going to join me? I could use a break for a few minutes" he said, a devilish look in his eyes.
Henry straightened his back and looked down at his cousin. "No, I have other business to attend to" he said, in an even voice.
Caspian sighed and returned to his previous place between the outstretched jumble of legs. He entered one of the women with a forceful thrust, causing her to scream. He looked over his shoulder "If you change your mind cousin, you know where to find me" he shouted over her scream, as he continued to thrust into her forcefully.
