1002nd night

It was hot. Smiling to himself the young man tucked one of his unruly long curls behind his ear, while he bit his pencil. His hair had never been that long. Would not have been allowed at the University. But they had been in this desert for more than three months now and had spent less and less time on grooming. Professor Wiesman and Dick had lost interest in their beards - both of the men were now looking like one of the arabian servants; much to the disappointment of Charlotte, beautiful daughter of his professor. Blair grinned again. She was the youngest member of this expedition, but despite the hardships that came with living in a tent, no other girls to talk to and being among men all the time, she seemed to enjoy every minute of it. Right now, while Blair was still sitting in front of the tent he shared with Dick, trying to write his diary, her crystal clear laugh rang through the clean desert air - she stood under a sun-sail and sorted out their findings, while her father was directing where Dick was supposed to dig. They had thought to go out on an anthropology-expedition in search of a certain nomad tribe, but after weeks of futile search they had ended up excavating broken plates and pots. After one last entry Blair sighed and looked up, when a shadow fell on his diary. "Professor Wiesman, I was going to join you..." Blair's voice trailed off, but he was interrupted by the tall man with the sparkling green eyes, dressed in a light summer three-piece like himself: "You deserved a break, Blair. Richard and I decided that we will close this camp. For four days we have not found anything new - this is just a dead site. We shall go south - one of our workmen said he had heard about this nomad tribe we were looking for. From what he told me, those people have changed their routes a few years ago. Just make sure that everything is packed by tomorrow evening. We shall start the day after tomorrow before sunrise." A few hours later Dick came and helped with packing their belongings. Blair had already taken care of his own things. A few books, a few shirts, trousers, underwear. He was not a wealthy man. Hadn't it been for his brilliant mind, his professor would not have asked him to join them. But Dick was wealthy and of noble birth - he was the one who would draw the attention of the news-people to their findings. So it didn't matter, that Blair was not able to pay for his passage. He was working harder than anyone else and he had started to teach young Charlotte latin and greek. "Blair, please help me with my trunk??!" "With pleasure, Miß Charlotte - just ask me again in greek, please" They shared a companionable laugh while Blair followed the young woman to her tent, totally oblivious to the longing glance of Richard. He didn't even hear his friend's sigh. Three days. They were on their way for three days to the glowing sun of the arabian desert. Each night some of their servants vanished. They could not do anything about it. They were too exhausted to keep their own guard. They were still heading south. When they made camp on the fourth day, their scout pointed south. In the distant, fluttering light they seemed to see a cloud of sand - but if it was whirled up by the wind or by horsemen, they could not decide. This night the last of their servants ran - and they took the last of their water with them. Professor Wiesman decided to find that cloud of sand - to go forward seemed to be their best chance - neither of them would survive the walk back. From the remnants of their luggage they rigged a barrow for Charlotte. She was the first - she had refused to go any further; when her father examined her, he found her feet bloody. Dick and Blair carried the stretcher with the young woman on it. Professor Wiesman lead them on. Until he broke down. This happened at about ten o'clock. They shared what was left in Charlottes water bottle - Blair and Dick drank nothing, they just wetted their lips. Then they waited for the inevitable. Dick finally fainted while he tried to wring some moisture out of the water bottle to cool Charlottes unconscious face. Blair felt the ground vibrate. He mused about this fact because he had always thought that dying would mean that he would have visions, hallucinations. But now the sand jumped in front of his weary eyes with thundering sounds. He rolled on his back, squinting into the merciless sun that would take his life in just a few more hours. Not that it mattered right now. He was just so tired. A shadow fell over Blair's face, made looking a little easier. He saw a white blur, coming closer, finally hunching over him. A white veil hid the whole figure, like the dresses the nomadic peoples were wearing. Strength - he got the impression of strength an commanding pride and for just a moment, before oblivion took him, he looked into - incredible - blue eyes, while the ground still trembled with thunderous vibrations. Cool; cool and quiet - and a soft bed - and the fresh breeze of a wind. Blair decided he would want to take a look to confirm if he was dead and in paradise or alive and in heaven. A woman in a black dress and veil dabbed his forehead with a wet cloth. When she saw his eyes open, she left without a word. Blair looked around: The soft bed, the room, all spoke of wealth and taste. The walls were covered in marble, large windows without glass but beautifully ornamented grating caught even the softest breeze, silk stores kept insects out and small oil lamps lit a wooden desk, carved stools, chests with mother-of-pearl inlays. The young student hadn't seen such beauty in his whole life. The bed he was resting on seemed to be bigger than his small student-room at the University. Even the sheet that covered his naked body was made of silk - his naked body? Before he could panic, the solid wooden door opened and a white-dressed man stepped in - and Blair was captured by chiselled features of classical male beauty, matching and even paling the beauty of the room and mesmerized again by the most incredible blue eyes he had ever seen. "You are awake." The voice that accompanied those eyes was strong, deep, rumbling and spoke english. Blair sighed - more than he'd ever dreamed of. One of the heithens that had rescued him spoke the language of civilisation. "Where are my friends?" Charlotte! What had they done to Charlotte? "Calm, stay calm..." The tall man stepped closer, concern showing on his handsome face. "Your friends are close by. They are alive. And the young " The white stranger seemed to search for a word, then, with a question in his voice "domina?" So he knows latin, too... "The Lady" Blair supplied. "Yes, the young lady - my personal ..." again hesitation " ancilla?" "maid?" "No, she took care of me when I was little - she is family..." "Wet-nurse!?" "Yes; now she looks after the lady. How are you feeling?" Another step closer to the big bed. "I think, I am feeling fine. I remember seeing you - your eyes - you saved us, didn't you. Thank you. I guess I owe you my life. " "My men and I found you - you seemed to be heading for our town, so we took you in. Though I'm afraid you will have to leave as soon as you are ready to travel again. I'll provide horses and supplies." The tall man's language seemed to improve with each sentence he spoke and Blair found himself listen to this magical voice not noticing that he had sat up in bed, the sheets slipping down his body, now barely covering his genitals. "When you are ready to get up ..." Did this magician's voice just sound deeper, more husky? ".. there will be a banquet in two hours. I shall be honored by your appearance." Another hesitation, while Blair swayed closer to this man that had captured him. "I am the sheik of this town. We call it the Sunbeam. My name is " Blair was sure he would never be able to pronounce that sound properly and he was so eager to try. But he just hurt his throat practicing. The sheik smiled gently. "It is almost the same as Jacobus." Blair lit up:" James?!" "James." The sheik rolled the name on his tongue, tasting the sound and liking it. "Now; Will you trust me with your name?" Blair blushed furiously and bowed his head in shame. "Forgive me. I have been rude. I am Blair Sandburg. My friends are Prof. Wiesman, his daughter Charlotte and Dick Burton. I guess I was overwhelmed by your generosity. So I forgot my manners. Please accept my excuse." *Overwhelmed yes, but not by his generosity, Sandburg, by his simple being, by his standing close to you. * "I do..." *He touched me, he patted my head, he touched my hair* a small gasp escaped the student while he listened to the deep voice ".. and I am looking forward to meeting you after you have refreshed yourself." With that the sheik left and it was not before the heavy wooden doors had closed again that Blair realised that this strange man's hair had been a shade of darkened gold. The black dressed woman came back and ushered him into the next room where a luxurious bathtub with perfumed water waited for him - and at least three other people yet to be named. The young student, always small for his age and now, at 24, just - small, was dwarfed by its expands. And intimidated by the maid still standing in front of him, waiting for him to slip into the water. But he clutched the silken sheet he had wrapped around his lower body, until, with a snort, the woman turned to face away from him, busying herself with arranging his cleaned clothes and a shiny light blue dress very alike the one the sheik had worn. With a sigh he slipped into the milky water to wash away the memories of those terrible hours in the desert. He had already decided: In order to honor his host he would wear the dress. It looked as if it was silk, too. It looked as if it would be cool and caressing on his skin. He didn't realize that the maid had left. Prof Wiesman and Richard were talking in front of his room's door, when Blair stepped out in his shiny new dress that came - to his utter relief - with a pair of trousers that were floating loosely around his legs. Fine suede slippers hugged his feet and his eyes were shining. The candlelight caught in his hair wove sparkles into his locks clasped together with a blue ribbon. The two men stopped speaking. Then the professor hissed: "I did not think that you would give into those heithen ways so easily, Sandburg. Are you really that blinded by all this impure wealth? I would have thought you would pay a little more respect to the fact that I let you join this expedition and at least dress properly..." At that moment Charlotte stepped out of her room. One look at Blair rendered her speechless. Then she murmured: "At least I'm not the only one dressed in what I found lying on my bed." Her father cast one look at her and snapped: "Cover your shoulders. This dress is indecent." She shrugged, hugging her shawl close to her. "It covers more than my opera dress that is currently rotting in the sand of that desert. I'm hungry, can we go now?" Blair was near tears. In order to please the man who had saved his life - and the lives of his friends - he had alienated the one person who could turn his scholarly life into hell. His eyes were still downcast when they entered the banquet room where cushions, pillows and thick rugs were beckoning them to sit down at the narrow tables almost breaking down with various fruits and caraffes full of flavoured water. Blair sagged down on one of the cushions as far away as possible from his still fuming professor and his stony-faced friend Richard. Needless to say that Richard had made the right decision. He wore his private clothes... And because he did not dare to raise his eyes Blair did not see the light in the sheik's eyes when he entered the room dressed in silvery blue. *He understands. The necessity to honor his host overruled a whole life full of rules. He is the one. I knew from the moment I first looked at him...* Despite the tension between the professor and Blair the meal went on smoothly. The old man seemed to melt when the sheik asked him about their expedition and finally promised to bring them all back to the borders of the desert in one week. "So that you are able to gather your strength." But what the strange man really meant was in his eyes. One week to become acquainted with the young student - one week of being close to him - to let him go again and suffer for the rest of his life. When Charlotte started to flirt shyly with the sheik - and Prof Wiesman watched restlessly that his daughter started to glance at their host too often, the sheik introduced his two sons and one daughter; pretty boys of seven, eight years, blue eyed like their father, hair the darkest shade of gold, politely bowing but not talking, the girl ten or eleven years proudly wearing a silken veil, her glistening eyes giving away her curiosity. When she took a seat next to her father, Blair looked up for the first time. When he smiled a shy smile at the little girl - and received another glistening sparkle from dark blue orbs he saw the sheik shift in his seat. *This boy's smile - it's magic... * *This man - what would it be like to sit next to him, to lean into him, like she does right now?* Soon after this interlude Charlotte excused herself, the children were led to their quarters again and dancing girls started to perform. Never in his life Blair had seen anything that could be compared to this. The girls were fully dressed but moving in a very ... invitating way and he felt himself blushing again. This was embarrassing. His body responded to the gentle swaying of arms, veils and dresses. And the Professor and Richard seemed to enjoy what they saw. After the dance, everything happened so fast, Blair was not quite sure if he had really seen it happen or if he was imagining things. But while the Professor went to his room alone, Blair could have sworn that Richard was followed by a slim, perfumed shadow. Both of his colleagues had wasted no second look at the young student. Then the sheik was back and sat next to the devastated young man struggling with his emotions for the sheik and his body's betrayal. "You did not enjoy the meal?" Blair shook his head, not knowing if he wanted to say yes or no. "The Professor gave you a hard time because you dressed like this?" A slender yet strong hand swept along the sleeve of the silken robe and left a trail of fire on Blair's arm. "He does not understand, sheik. I want to apologize. I do not regret my decision - although I shall not get a second chance to go on an expedition like this." Blair could not help to sigh. "So you should then make the best of this one. Which of the dancers did you like most?" And at Blair's shocked expression: "This is just a dream. You are living on a sunbeam, don't you forget this. Whatever phantasy you have, it will be fulfilled." "But..." "My dancing girls will be pleased to follow you - nobody forces them. They volunteer for the privilege to dance in front of strangers. We live in a very secluded place. Being with a stranger guarantees that our children are strong and healthy. " Blair drew in a sharp breath. Of course: this custom would prevent endogamy, which would cripple a secluded people like the inhabitants of Sunbeam. Yet he hesitated, blushing again. He could not remember turning red that often. A gentle smile cuved the classical set of lips, warmed sky-blue eyes. "I have heard your heartbeat during the dance. I can hear it right now. And I smell your fear, your insecurities. Don't worry." Blair just looked - how could he be able to hear his frantically beating heart? The mysterious man cocked his head, as if he was listening. "Your frind, Richard - he is already having a good time; And so is Shalmi." He chuckled and Blair couldn't help himself, he had to ask: "How do you know? How can you possibly know.. Unless you are a sorcerer?" "I don't have magical powers. It is just that my hearing, my sight and taste and smell are more powerful than with other people. That is why I am the Sheik. I have to know a lot of things to rule in wisdom and peace. And so, " the tall man looked into the student's eyes in search of the truth and found what he was looking for. A gentle hand brushed over the one lock that had escaped the blue ribbon. "I know the answer to my question. Have you ever been with a woman? No, you have not. The ecstasy is like almost no thing in the world. I would like to present you with this joy. There is only one single thing better than this joy. But you will have to find out for yourself. Now do you trust me?" The scent of incense covered Blair; thinking was getting harder and harder. a yearning ache in his groin made him dizzy. "I trust you" he leaned into the tall man, heard him chuckle again, deep in his chest. "So I shall introduce you to Miri ." "Just, don't leave me, please?" his voice sounded so small, Blair hated himself for feeling like an eight year old again. Somehow he still did not quite understand what was going to happen to him. The only thing he knew was that nothing would hurt him as long as the sheik - James - was close to him. The girl was truly beautiful. Her big brown eyes smiled at him while she slowly unveiled her heartshaped face to reveal pouting lips. Dark hair cascaded over her shoulders and when she shook her head to loosen it a cloud of bewitching scent rose to tantalize Blair further. Miri turned and looked back over her shoulder. Blair did not need another invitation. He stood and stumbled, only to feel a strong hand hold him upright. The Sheik's hand - James's hand. Blair followed her - but he never let go of James's hand while the girl brought him back to his room. A single candle lit the large room; Had there been any more light, Blair would have sent the girl away. But the darkness was his friend, allowed him to take cover from his fears, allowed him to follow the beautiful smile of an equally beautiful girl to unknown pleasures. And all the time he knew that his strong protector was close to him even though he could hardly see the shadow of the man. *The boy is beautiful. He does not know how endearing his shyness is, how lovable his attempts to seem experienced. Now Miri is slipping the first of her shawls. Her breasts are marvellous. His heartbeat - oh no, he is not going to faint, is he? The wicked girl is disrobing the boy. So much hair on his chest. And his sweat smells sweet, layered with musk. All those hair - it has to feel like satin - soft and crisp and springy. She is standing so close to him her breasts are touching his skin and he starts to pant. I am the one to remove the blue ribbon. I want to card my fingers through his hair. He gets a little bit distracted and leans back against me. mmmh, to feel his lithe body, warm and alive, against my chest. He is moaning while Miri steps out of her gown. Her body is perfect. She has shaved her pubic area to present herself as clean as possible for this special occasion. Her vulva is already swollen. While he stares at her, I can reach for his belt. The silk of his trousers puddles at his feet. He is beautiful. Aroused, flushed, panting, not sure what he is going to do. Oh, to touch him just once. * Blair cried out when the strong hands of the man standing behind him, skimmed his overheated skin. When one finger trailed along his erect penis he moaned. And he almost fainted in embarrassement when clear liquid escaped his length just when this tormenting finger brushed over the tip of his scepter. The finger collected as much hot essence as possible then disappeared from his sight. *He tastes like nectar and ambrosia. His offerings are like water in the desert. I want to take him in my mouth. But Miri leads him to the bed. She pushes at him until he lies on his back, until he is watching her straddle him. His member is resting on his belly arching upwards, drooling. He is beautiful.* Blair did not know what to do next. Never in his whole life had he seen a woman naked. When Miri took his cock and pushed it inside her hot, wet cunt, he froze. Then she started to move. He was shaking like a leaf. It felt so gooood. But although it felt fantastic, all the stimulation turned out to be too much. His strong member faltered, stayed inside her hot sheath because Miri stopped all movement, settled down on his groin. Fear came back. But the Sheik seemed to have sensed his sudden wave of fear. A soothing voice came out of the darkness: "I am still here, Blair, I have not left you. I could not leave you, not if my life depended on it..." The soft rustle of clothing , then the bed shifted as another body came to rest on the mattress. Blair turned to the new source of warmth, reached out with his right arm - and touched naked skin. When the student opened his eyes, he looked at the perfect body of James, gleaming like gold in the candle-light, at the soft smile and at dilated pupils so dark there was almost no blue left in the iris. Tentatively Blair touched pectoral muscles that twitched at his contact. His fingers brushed over erect nipples that were hard and hot. He did not realize that Miri had started to move again, gliding up and down his hard member that filled her wet pussy. She panted; her internal muscles tightened and her movements grew frantic. Blair looked up into the face of the man who had rescued him. The face that made him shiver in anticipation. He leaned into the man's hand that cradled his cheek. With a voice that did not seem to belong to him Blair husked: "Kiss me" And James bent down to fulfill the demand. His mouth covered Blair's lush lips in a gentle embrace. Miri was still impaled on Blair's rigid member, then she cried out once and came, massaging the hard length with her orgasm, riding out the waves of her climax. The student moaned into James's mouth and the Sheik took advantage of the suddenly parted lips and thrust his tongue into the moist, hot cavern of the man he craved. Blair surrendered with a shudder, welcoming the invading tongue, tasting James for the first time. A hot wave of overwhelming pleasure swept over him and while James possessed his mouth the younger man came deep inside the woman with explosive power. When Blair came to again, the girl was gone. Somebody had cleaned his body and he was nestled under cool silken sheets cradled against the large body of James - the sheik had kept his word. He had not left the student. Blair turned to look into sky-blue eyes as deep as the world itself. "That kiss... I wanted to thank you for your kiss. I do believe that this was the single most beautiful thing that ever happened to me. Your lips were on mine..." His voice trailed off, a small, happy smile shone through the darkness, but he was sure that the Sheik could see it though. "I would like to kiss you again, my sweet Blair. Would you let me do this?" "This and anything . .. I . . . I am sorry to be without knowledge . . . show me what you want me to do." " I want you to enjoy my kiss. And then I want you to rest. Do you think you could do that?" "I do not know, - but I think so - and I am a fast learner..." The kiss that followed soon had both men breathless and lightheaded. James teased the student's mouth open with his tongue, let himself slowly explore the wet hotness of this secret place and caressed the shy tongue that waited for him. He tasted the flavour of the fruits the young man had had earlier that evening and the sweetness that was Blair. And he was rewarded with a rush of male musk and - in the wake of this cloud of alluring smell - a questing tongue that lost it's shyness while tentatively trying to invade his mouth. He welcomed Blair in. When they parted all the student could do was dust small kisses all over the face of this most powerful man. The young inexperienced boy did not realize that he left burning skin wherever his lips touched. Then Blair pressed himself closer to the Sheik, shuddering when he touched the hot skin of the other man for the first time. A hot skin that throbbed and jerked against his thighs, that left a wet trail of desire and that triggered a tightening in Blair's groin. The boy just dared to whisper so as not to break that wonderful spell: "This feels beautiful..." "Oh, my young love. You are beautiful - don't be afraid, beloved." And with these hushed words, James brushed loving touches over Blair's hairy chest, the boy's soft, yet muscled belly, avoiding the hard evidence of desire, caressing the thighs instead. Finally the Sheik rolled over, to tower over his young lover but keeping inches apart to keep from crushing the moaning, writhing boy who was almost incoherent with pleasure by now. James had never seen anyone that beautiful held in the throes of passion. While he - tenderly, oh so tenderly - painted the dusky brown nipples with his agile tongue, he carefully fisted Blair's hard manhood and started a maddeningly slow rhythm. A look into the student's face confirmed: All the boy did was feel - sweaty, hot and panting the only thing that seemed to anchor the boy to the real world was one word he chanted constantly : "JamesJamesJamesJames..." The Sheik continued to stroke Blair's jerking organ that spit pre-ejaculate and gently undulated against the student's writhing body. Then James felt the living desire in his hand expand even further, lengthen and harden even more and finally releasing waves of joy while a wanton cry of extasy broke from Blair's lips. The boy's face was contorted in passion almost to the point of pain and James could not bear the sight of it, the smell of semen proving too much for him, the scent almost tangible. James roared, burying his face in Blair's neck and came bathing his young lovers body in his essence while he embraced the boy as if he never wanted to let go again. When the boy had calmed down after his shattering orgasm, James tried to climb off the bed to pick up a washcloth and clean both their bodies. But Blair obviously had other ideas: with surprising strength the young man clung to the powerfully muscled body that had been so gentle just moments ago. A soft wince escaped the lush lips while he tugged the Sheik even closer to his side. When James surrendered and settled against his small lover, the student relaxed and instantly fell asleep, still holding the tall man tight. Blair woke up - alone in the big bed, the sun pouring into the glassless windows. A dream? Had all this been just a dream? It could not have been real, after all. The boy sighed, defeated, then stretched, not for the first time enjoying the large bed. His hand bumped into something small, cool, that was lying on one of the pillows. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, he took a closer look. A flower - at least he thought it was, because he had never seen such beauty in his whole life. Three petals in the color of the Sheik's eyes, clinging together to protect the inflorecence that shone like pure gold in the early morning sun. A perfect piece of art, made by nature itself, only lacking any scent - which was good, because now that he was fully awake, Blair was able to smell the wonderful, lingering scent of their lovemaking - so it had not been a dream. The air was full of the rich odor of intermingling sweat and semen that did not belong to his own body. - And he knew how he smelled when inappropriate dreams had haunted him in his lonely sleep. His life suddenly seemed to be just as perfect as that wonderful flower because now he remembered the roar of the Sheik's passion. Smiling, picking up the, Blair went into the bathroom to get presentable again. He was startled when, while he was carefully shaving his morning stubble, the tall shadow of the Sheik stepped in, the beloved silhouette reflected in the bronce mirror. Their eyes met through the mirror glass. The student smiled shyly, then washed his face and dried it with a soft towel. When he could see again, James was standing close behind him, a small smile softening his stern features. Blair burst into a dazzling smile. "I wonder, " he murmured "will they know?" "Your friends?" The Sheik's voice was a pleasant rumble against the young man's back. Blair nodded, not aware, that his hair created fiery trickles everywhere it touched the Sheik's skin even through the silken clothes. "What do you fear that they might see? Can they do harm to you?" "I am dependent on their wellmeaning. I was orphaned at an early age, but I was always a fast learner. So Professor Wiesman - he found me when he visited the poorhouse-school where I was a pupil - he took me under his wing. He provided food and a place for me to live. I copy his texts and try to educate Charlotte. Now I am studying anthropology so that I can be of even more help to him. " Blair's voice trailed off at the thought of how lonely his life had been. The Professor had indeed been providing food and shelter, but he had not provided a home as well. The student had always been very aware of the fact that he was living and breathing where he was because of the mercy of a wealthy man. "I am afraid of what they will say ... and even more, of what will happen to me..." "They will certainly see that you are very happy. You are radiating the love of life. They will not be able to tell the reasons of this smile, but they should be glad for you." The voice of the Sheik was very calm, the handsome face giving nothing away. He had known of course, that this man would leave him - no matter what had happened last night. That young man had a life to be lived at university ground not in a forbidden city, playing the pleasure-toy for the leader of said city. And yet - the thought of Blair leaving hurt like a knife-wound, the blade stabbing his guts and twisting there. "Do not worry, young man - I shall know if or when they give you grief. I shall protect you." And he - very cautiously - touched the dark curls that framed that one face he had come to love in mere hours. Blair leaned back into the comforting warmth of the Sheik's chest. The moments of closeness to this mysterious man gave him the strength to face his real world. He sighed, then put on the broad blue belt that went with his new silk garment. His old shirt and trousers were neatly folded on a bathroom-chair but he had not touched them. "So, wearing heathen clothes again, Mr Sandburg?" Professor Wiesman was not happy with what he saw this morning. His favorite - and rich - student Richard had a stupid grin plastered on his face that could not been wiped off. But the good Professor did not feel that he could say anything to the young nobleman who was also one of the main financers of this illfated excursion. The student had obviously enjoyed the body of one of the dancers - which was not allowed in any of the canons existing about gathering information on foreign tribes or societies. But the Professor could certainly be angry at Blair Sandburg. After all the young man was dependent on him - and he had hoped for some kind of loyalty. But no; The boy emanated a quiet force of happiness, that was almost too much for Wiesman to bear. "I think, that this attitude of yours disqualifies you as a teacher for my daughter. When we get back home - and we will tomorrow, I promise to you all - you will have to look for some kind of paid work - because my favors will no longer be free. You are such a disappointment." And with disgusted satisfaction, which made him hate himself a little more, the Professor watched as all the blood drained from Blair's features, and all the happiness vanished in the face of the threat of the poorhouse. Because noone would let the student teach when Professor Wiesman did not want him for his daughter. "Father..." "Your opinion is not asked, Charlotte. At least you are wearing a decent dress today." And with that, father and daughter rustled down the corridor to the vast hall where the Sheik was supposed to work on a new drainage system for his city. Richard stepped closer to his younger friend: "Do not worry, he will calm down eventually. See, he did not say anything to me - and I think he knows pretty well that I have been with a local girl this night." It did not even occur to Richard that there might be a reason why the old researcher had decided not to mention his nightly adventure. "That Sheik, did you have the opportunity to talk with him? I have an odd feeling that he knows everything that goes on in town. And I do think that he can hear through the walls..." He saw the panicked look in Blair's blue eyes, but did not realize how close he had come to a truth that was not to be revealed. Clueless, Richard laughed: "No, Blair, I am not waiting for a bed at Hotel Badlum with all those nice attendant in their white coats. I think that he might have enhanced senses. I have heard tales of such men before. O, whatever" he shrugged carelessly "We will not be here long enough for me to investigate this phenomenon. Knowing the Professor I would say he is already making preparations to leave. Cheer up, Blair. He will have forgotten most of it by the time we arrive at home." Yes, Blair thought, most likely the Professor will have forgotten his little tantrum. But I shall not forget - nor shall I forget the fact that he was so easily throwing me out of his protection, his house, even his life. Miserably, the student strolled back into his room to be surrounded by wealth and taste only to be reminded that all this would end in just a few hours. A soft knock on the door startled Blair out of his contemplation of his future life - or the loss of it. A small veiled figure entered, shy but determined, standing beside the door until Blair could not help but smile. Then the eyes that were not hidden by the veil lit up. The Sheik's daughter pointed to herself and chirped "Shahnaz" and cast a curious look at Blair. "I am Blair; Your name is beautiful" The girl came closer, then tugged him at his sleeve. When he got up, she dragged him along, out of the room, up some stairs, another corridor, another hall, stairs - soon Blair was lost in the palace not knowing where his room might be any more. The little princess opened another door. Thousands of books greeted the student. The girl stepped back and settled on a bench with a tome with bright pictures. And Blair spent the next six hours happily getting dusty. "There you are! Shahnaz, your brother is waiting." The Sheik embraced his daughter then sent her away. "She speaks our language?" "She understands it - a little bit. She is in need of a teacher. I am not patient enough." "You know what happened?" It was not a question. "Yes - I said I would hear it. And I am not offering my pity. I am showing you another way of living. You are needed here. My children - and the children of my town - are in need of a teacher." He did not say that he needs you, too, Blair, the student thought with a small sigh. "You must be hungry. The Professor wants to leave tomorrow. You have to eat, if you want to go with him. " One single muscle was twitching in James' jaw but Blair was desperate. He did not see what was clear as the sun. So he went with the Sheik to have a lonely dinner amongst his friends. He only picked at his food. They went to sleep very early this night. But again, Blair was the last one to leave the hall, to leave the tall man still sitting at the banquet-table and when he was about to walk through the door he whispered: "Do not leave me yet, please?" and he was so afraid of the answer that he did not hear the Sheik until the tall man stood behind him: "All you had to do was ask, my sweetest one." And then the tall man pressed his chest against the young student's back to share the love that he felt for this man right now. In the safety of Blair's room the Sheik once again showed his disciple the beauty of lovemaking. No woman interfered this time. All that mattered were James and Blair and the love that was alive between them. Blair was shaking with need the moment his clothes were discarded and his skin felt the skin of the tall experienced man. James was carefully licking his way down to the coarse curls that arrowed to a very erect member of pleasure. When Blair felt a hot mouth close over his hot, hard penis he started to moan. He forced himself to open his eyes and look , just look at this mysterious man who was able to give so much bliss. When James hollowed his cheeks and sucked Blair came howling. James drank every drop the student had to offer. Then, panting harshly he moved up to cover the smaller body and started thrusting. His leaking sceptre moved against the soft curls of Blair's stomach and chest and the friction was exquisitly bordering on pain. The difference in texture of pubic hair and the soft fur between two still-peaked nipples shot fire through James' spine. He felt his balls harden. The student's breathing evened out and Blair opened his eyes to look adoringly at James. James came. The candles had burned down and sent flickering shadows across the walls. The stores in front of the window rustled. "You would make me very ... happy, if you would decide to stay" James said it hesitatingly, as if the darkness and the vague light of the dying candles had given him the strength to say it at all. Blair did not move but the Sheik could feel the boy's heart beat faster. Finally a sigh, then "Happy?" "Yes - I would like to give you a home - a place where you are accepted. Not only a place to stay. If you want to, you could be a teacher to our children. But you would not have to do anything to ... earn your living. You would have to decide now, though. Because your friends are going to leave with the first light of the day. My men will bring them to an oasis. I can hear one of the trading caravans approach - they are not quite on schedule this time, so the Professor will not have to wait long until he is back to his beloved civilisation. Will you stay?" "You are talking about happiness, a home, teaching - but all those things I could also accomplish in my world. I would not live secured in so much wealth, but... I could have all that, after a while, I guess." The boy's heart was beating a frantic rhythm by now, his voice unsure and frightened. The answer he was waiting for had to be the right one or he would pack his meager belongings and leave; heartbroken, but he would go, the Sheik was sure of that. And so he turned to face that beautiful boy lying by his side, gathered him in a tight embrace and whispered fervently hoping that for once he had the right answer: "But I love you. *I* want you to stay because you are everything I ever dreamed of. When I found you unconscious in the desert I almost died because I thought now that I have found love I have lost it because I was too late. My senses seemed to have betrayed me. But then I heard your heart beat and everything was right with the world. Because even if you would never love me back I knew I had saved you - you were going to live; And I was glad even if that meant that you were going to leave me again." His lips had come closer to Blair's face with every word James had spoken. Then he claimed Blair's mouth with what should have been a reassuring, comforting, chaste kiss. But Blair opened his lips and with passionate heat he gave himself into the kiss until both men had to break apart to breathe. "Fake my death. Then noone will come searching for me..." And so it was done. During the confusion of the preparations for their departure Professor Wiesman had to admit he had lost sight of Richard and Blair. His daughter was standing close, so he was not overly worried.They had to ride for hours. When they arrived at the oasis the sun was standing almost at the zenith and they were exhausted. Among all those muffled up men the Professor was not able to recognise either Richard or Blair. They drank some water and retreated to rest in the shadows of some makeshift roofs. Two hours into the night they woke to the noise of an arriving caravan. This was when Professor Wiesman realized that Blair Sandburg was missing. The leader of the caravan promised to look for the young man as soon as the sun was up again, but privately thought that the old researcher was a little insane with exhaustion and grief, telling everyone about a secret city in the middle of the desert. The next morning they found shredded clothes full of blood that spoke of large predators on the hunt. Charlotte was devastated. She cried so much, her father was afraid she would get sick. The Professor himself felt slightly guilty because he had not paid enough attention at who was following and who was left behind by all those warriors that had guided them. And Richard went away to mourn where he was alone. He buried his hands in the pockets of his trousers - and clutched a piece of paper. He could not trust his eyes at first, tears had misted them over. But then he found that something was written on the small sheet of parchment: He can see and hear for miles. That is how he protects us. Just that. Nothing more. But it was Blair's handwriting and it told him that there was nothing to mourn but a secret to keep and everything to learn. Sentinels were no myth at all. He just had to find them somewhere. But not here. He had heard about those mythical warriors living in America. There was a whole new field of study opening up to him. Now he just had to bring Wiesman and Charlotte away from here. The Sheik was standing on top of a watchtower looking east. The sun was setting again. When the young boy ascended the stairs James opened his arms and Blair stepped into the embrace. A light breeze tugged at the silken fabric of their clothes. "They are gone. After finding your clothes they gave you up for dead. I do not think that they will come back." Blair released the breath he had been holding. "You know, Blair, you took a high risk to pass that note to Richard." The student blushed furiously. "You knew? And did not stop me?" "I knew. I *have* to know those things. But I trusted you and I trusted your judgement. Next time, though, I wish you would trust me, too." He sounded a little sad but held his young lover in a tight embrace to show him he was not angry. "I do. I am sorry I kept this from you. And I would like to show you how much I really do trust you. .. if you still want me - after this..." "Oh, Blair..." How they made it to the big bedroom that was the Sheik's private refuge Blair did not know. He only remembered James' arms and lips and breath caressingevry fiber of his being with touches, kisses and words. Somehow, their clothes disappeared and Blair found himself kneeling on the high bed, for the first time eye to eye with his tall lover. Finally able to kiss him without craning his neck. James' hands found their way through soft silken curls down the strong back and started kneading Blair's buttocks. Blair mirrored the caresses, kissing and nibbling James until the tall man reached to the nightstand. When Blair wickedly found a very special spot on James' neck the Sheik returned the favor and bit down on the flesh where the boy's collarbone met the curve of the neck. Blair squirmed and moaned. His manhood throbbed excitedly . And then one slick finger found its way to Blair's most secret place and rubbed the tight opening. Blair tensed. But when nothing happened that would frighten him he tentatively thrust back against the fingertip that softly poked against his opening. The finger breached the tightmuscled ring and found its way deep inside the tight channel. Blair was panting in earnest now and started a rocking motion to impale himself on the finger again and again. A second finger joined the play and loosened the tight puckered opening and Blair cried out every time the slick digits invaded his body. "More more more more" He felt himself being lowered to the bed and turned to his side, while James snuggled in behind him, holding him with one him, penetrating him with two - no, three fingers now. When had that happened? Lying down was good. It was easier now to rock forward and thrust backward. He loved to thrust backward. Those hard fingers filled him deliciously. "James!!" A vicious thrust had hit ... something inside Blair that made him shiver and moan and sweat, and James did it again and again. But the tall man was breathing hard, too. The fingers were withdrawn; Blair wailed "Noooo, not yet, let me come ... " But then something slick, hot and definitely large was positioned at his entrance and Blair pushed back. Fierce pain took his breath away and he tensed. But then there was James' voice muttering words of love and reassurance and a hand rubbing the triangle of nerves where buttocks met spine and he slowly relaxed. To Blair's embarrassement his erection had faded but James took his faltering penis in his hand and pumped. His organ grew interested again and carefully Blair began rocking again. With every movement he took more of James' hard shaft deep inside. There was still pain but the feeling of being filled was almost overwhelming. All of James was buried deep inside him and the tall man herculean restraint and did not move at all. Blair's body shuddered. A wave of pleasure rippled through him and he could feel the tension drain away. The Sheik started thrusting and all Blair could do was moan in pleasure. The pumping on his penis and the thrusting against his pleasure gland inside him soon proved to be too much for Blair. His penis lengthened and stiffened and with a hoarse shout the young man spilled his seed over the demanding hand of the Sheik. James felt the waves of Blair's orgasm grip his hard leaking member and could not hold back any longer. One last thrust lifted his lovers buttocks off the bed then he rammed Blair into the sheets while he gushed his essence into the pliant sweaty body lying prone under him. "I love you" They said it at the same time. finis