Nymraiha - chapter 1

Slowly, his eyes scanned the area. He stood completely still with
his hood pulled up to further camouflage him. A sound to his right
caught his attention. Ever so slowly, he crept towards the plants,
cautious not to make a single sound. A figure suddenly darted out of
cover and made a run for it but he had been ready. Leaping to catch
the smaller figure, they both tumbled to the ground, the hunter
protectively curling his body around the now giggling figure. The
hunter smiled as he proceeded to tickle his `victim' until surrender
was declared.

"Papa, stop!"

Sitting up, he hugged Cole to him as the boy, still giggling
attempted to escape once again. As Kevin held him in place, he mock
growled.

"You are now my prisoner."

The sensation of a blade being pressed to his throat however
silenced him and he shivered as he felt the warm breath at his ear.

"Release the boy."

"In exchange for what?"

"What did you have in mind?"

In response, Kevin grabbed the hand holding the blade, skillfully
maneuvering his `attacker' into releasing the weapon. In one last
futile attempt at rescue, his `attacker' pushed against him,
effectively releasing Cole of Kevin's hold.

"Run, Cole! I'll hold him back."

Cole, for his part, took off laughing towards their camp as he left
the two `opponents' to their `fight'. Kevin, now on his back, looked
up into the blue eyes of his husband, and couldn't help the groan as
the man settled himself comfortably over him. Leaning down, Kevin's
arms were held away as Nick whispered huskily.

"Now, where were we?"

-------------------------------

As Cole ran into their camp, Brian looked up from the fire he was
kindling. AJ and Howie, both of whom were enjoying their drinks,
looked up as well to see the laughing boy run straight into Brian's
arms.

"Woah there! What's got you all excited?"

Brian smiled as he watched Cole, a huge grin on his face as he
looked back towards where he had run from. Giving Brian a hug, he
walked towards AJ and Howie to get a drink himself.

"Papa was chasing me, but Daishan saved me."

With a knowing smirk, AJ asked.

"Yes, but who's going to save Nick?"

"What make you think I need saving?"

Nick walked into their camp, a thoroughly smug look on his face.
None of the three could contain their laughter as Kevin trailed
behind him, a somewhat dazed look on his face.

"Kevin?"

"-"

"Kevin!"

"Hmm?"

"Oh, forget it. I'll talk to you once the clouds have cleared."

"Okay."

AJ threw up his hands as he very purposely turned away to face Nick
who was walking towards Cole and Brian. The three of them had come to
collect Kevin, Nick and Cole from their camping trip. Just at that
moment, a wave of dizziness passed over Nick and he would have fallen
had Kevin not caught him.

"Nick!"

The others all moved towards him but Nick waved them back as Kevin
led him to a place to sit. Kneeling before him, Kevin maintained his
hold.

"Are you alright?"

When Nick nodded yes, he tried to `sense' for any discomfort or
pain. Finding nothing, Kevin became confused.

"Then, what happened?"

"I don't know."

Nick looked perplexed as well.

"I was just walking towards Brian and Cole when everything became
fuzzy."

"Was it like the last time, Daishan?"

Cole's eyes widened immediately once he realized what he had just
asked.

Two days ago, he had entered their newly renovated apartments to
find Nick holding on to a table, his free hand to his head.
Explaining that the room had just suddenly seem to tilt, Nick had
assured him it was nothing, silently contributing it to the fact he
hadn't been eating right as well. Nausea and vomiting tended to
discourage against regular meals. Cole had been sworn to secrecy, a
fact he had realized a second too late.

Kevin's eyes darkened as he leveled a look at Nick.

"Last time?"

Nick bit his lower lip unconsciously, a sure sign he was feeling
guilty over something. Before Nick could come up with an excuse,
Brian spoke, years of growing up with his younger brother teaching
him just exactly what kind of questions he needed to ask. Nick
wouldn't lie outright, to Kevin especially who would catch him at it,
but he wouldn't tell them the whole truth either if he could help it.

"How many `last times' have there been, Nick?"

Nick looked up at Brian accusingly, feeling Kevin's worry and anger
grow as Nick stalled.

"A few."

"Define a few."

This time it was AJ and when Nick looked to Howie, the same
piercing gaze met him. Sighing, he knew he was caught.

"They've been coming on and off for about 2 weeks now."

Bracing himself for the expected outburst, Nick wasn't disappointed.

"2 weeks! Why didn't you tell me?"

"I thought it was nothing really, since I haven't been eating-"

Abruptly, Nick cut himself off as what he was just revealing
occurred to him.

Kevin cursed himself for not realizing sooner. They had been
married now for six weeks and looking closely, he could pick out the
vague signs of weight loss and slight weariness in Nick's eyes. But
as always, Nick knew how to soothe his fears. Hugging the older man
close to him, comfortable with displays of affection in front of his
family, he promised to see the healers as soon as possible.

Even he was becoming disconcerted with his condition although, deep
down an instinct told him, as improbable as it seemed, all was well.

They cleared up camp and mounted their horses to head back to the
palace, Cole riding with Nick. Entering the courtyard, they came upon
a group of Kevin's own men, readying to ride out, led by Matthew.

"Welcome back, Your Highness, sirs."

"Morning, Mat. What news?"

"Reports of a few scavengers coming down from the border. Been
spotted nearing the farm areas."

Looking towards Nick, Matthew's voice took on a worried tone.

"The Anderson's farm has reportedly been attacked and the couple's
eldest daughter injured. The local healer's trying his best but it
wouldn't hurt to have you come along, if you could, sir?"

"Of course."

Nick's answer was immediate and as he moved to transfer Cole to
Kevin, the others fought to hold back their objections. They realized
only one person had the right. Said person was currently engaged in a
heated `discussion' privy only to the participants.

//You're not well//

//Well enough to do this, Kevin. A few more hours delay will make
no difference//

//How can you be sure if we don't even know what's wrong with you?//

//I just am, and if you stop to search yourself, you'll know it
too//

Kevin remained silent, unwilling to admit Nick was right. Appealing
to Kevin's sense of duty, Nick tried again.

//Are you willing to risk the girl's life?//

//You are insufferable//

//It's one of the reasons you love me//

Their conversation had lasted but a few minutes, but as Cole
settled himself on Kevin's horse, their companions picked up the
lessening of tension on the two faces. As the two groups made to ride
their separate ways, Kevin turned towards Matthew, his voice just
loud enough for only the Lieutenant to hear.

"Nick's not feeling well."

Hearing this, Matthew was about to protest his Captain accompanying
them, but Kevin waved him silent.

"It's too late now, his mind's made up. Just keep an eye on him,
alright?"

"Of course, General."

Kevin pretended to miss the dark look Nick sent his way as Matthew
took up position by his side, a barely concealed worried expression
on his face.

To be continued.