7 - Caomhnóir – Manny

 

Hamlin walked along the shore, smiling as Romper romped around and ahead of him. The dog was a new addition, something to keep him company while he tried to work things out in his head. Unfortunately, the working out part wasn’t happening.

 

He cared for Manny, more than he ever had for anyone, even Cerdic.

 

Hamlin had escaped his miserable childhood, living on the streets until Cerdic had found him and brought him to his home and into the fold. He did everything he could to repay Cerdic, even though he had been more than certain Cerdic was not one of the good guys so to speak. Hamlin had no illusions about people. They were out to take what they could by hook or by crook, and if Cerdic used that to his advantage to stir up trouble it was no skin off of Hamlin’s nose.

 

Then Manny had come into his life and things had changed. He’d discovered what it meant to love and have that returned. They had become lovers, keeping that part of their lives a secret from the others, as hard as that had been.

 

When Cerdic had sent him off to London he had wanted to say no. But you didn’t refuse an order from him. So he’d gone, and one year later Cerdic was dead. When he’d returned to the city and the house, Manny was there as always.

 

There but, Hamlin noticed almost instantly, somehow different, and Hamlin couldn’t put his finger on why. Just that he was. Manny had left the next day, promising to return, and to explain what was going on. He hadn’t.

 

After almost a month had passed, Hamlin gave up waiting. He couldn’t stand being there at the house, a place so full of memories of the two of them. Like a petulant child he had run away.

 

Now he was on the other side of the country and all he wanted to do was go back to the one real home he’d ever known. But he couldn’t, because now he knew what it was about Manny that had seemed so strange. Sitting down on the sand, heedless of the fact that it was still damp from the early morning tide, he took out his wallet and looked at the one picture he had of the boy he loved.

 

Taken soon after Manny had arrived at the house, it showed him laughing at something one of the other boys had been saying. Hamlin had snapped it without Manny being aware, and now he suspected that had he known he would have destroyed it somehow. Because, as Hamlin looked at it and compared it with his memory of Manny the last time he’d seen him, he understood what had bothered him the day he’d come back from London. In the three years since he’d first met Manny, the boy had not seemed to age one bit.

 

“Why?” Hamlin said softly, stroking a finger over the picture. “How, between the time you were fifteen and now, at eighteen, do you look exactly the same?” He closed his wallet, lying back to stare up at the clouds. “Do I go back and ask, and feel like the fool that I probably am for having such strange thoughts, or do I stay away because maybe I’m not crazy. Maybe he—Ooof, dog, damn it. You’re soaking wet.” Hamlin glared at the puppy who was now sitting in the middle of his chest, looking down at him as if he’d done something particularly special that warranted a treat.

 

Putting Romper back down on the sand, Hamlin got up, and after attaching the leash they headed back to the small beach house he was renting. As they did, Hamlin realized that this would be their last night there. He had to go back home and pray that Manny was there, waiting for him. And that he would be able to explain the unexplainable.

 

It's release day for 'Runaways Box Set'!

 Runaways Box Set

https://www.jms-books.com/edward-kendrick-c-224_229/runaways-box-set-p-4781.html

 

https://www.amazon.com/Runaways-Box-Set-Edward-Kendrick-ebook/dp/B0CBZHB8LR/ 

 

GENRE: Gay Erotic Romance Box Set
LENGTH: 165,551 words
RATING:

Four stories of gay young men surviving on the streets. Contains the stories:

Surviving: Brothers Terry and Kel, on the run from their abusive father, hook up with a trio of Denver street kids who teach them how to survive. Can the budding relationship between Terry and Rudy, the leader of the trio, last through the problems that ensue -- including Kel's attempted kidnapping and the loss of the squat the group has been calling home? Perhaps, with the help of a local pastor, it will.

Strays in the Time of COVID: Thrown out of his home, Guy ends up on the streets as Covid ravages the country. Soon, he's adopted by a dog and a kitten. He meets three homeless teens -- Mack, Tone, and Dani, who names the kitten Ghost, and the dog Shadow. When Guy learns that, like him, Mack and Tone are gay, he hopes the attraction he and Tone begin to feel for each other can survive the life they're forced to live.

The Encampment: Homeless and in danger, Davie accepts an offer to live at the Encampment, a mountain site run by Maddox, and Ran. Among the residents is Vin, who befriends Davie. Davie finds out there is more to the place than it seems when he and Vin are sent to stop slavers preying on homeless teens. Things get interesting as the two of them try to survive while dealing with their attraction for each other.

The Runaway and the Enforcer: Beau is an enforcer who goes into hiding after he refuses to follow his boss's orders and harm a rival's kid. Rick, an eighteen-year-old denizen of the streets, witnesses Beau killing one of the men searching for him. Rather than kill Rick, as well, Beau befriends him -- an act he may come to regret, when Rick convinces Beau to take him along, when Beau goes on the run after taking out his boss.

EXCERPT FROM "Surviving"
Note: may contain sexually explicit scenes of a homoerotic nature.

"How are you doing?" Rudy asked Terry the morning after the fight.

They were alone in the squat, since at Josie's insistence she, Snap and Kel had gathered up all the dirty clothes and taken off for the Laundromat.

"I've been better," Terry admitted. "But I've been a hell of a lot worse too so it's all relative."

"Your head still ache?"

"No. My arms and shoulders though ..." He thought it was better not to mention his legs did too, from all the running.

Rudy nodded, going behind the sofa where Terry was sitting. "Lean forward."

Terry did, groaning when Rudy began massaging his shoulders.

"Am I hurting you?" Rudy asked, concern lacing his voice.

"God no! That feels great."

"Good. I never know for sure."

Terry turned his head to look up at him. "You do this often?"

"Not really. Just sometimes when we've had a long day I do Snap." He laughed. "Okay, that didn't come out right. I give him a massage while he takes care of Josie."

Terry chuckled. "That could be taken two ways and one of them brings up images I'm not sure I want."

"Good point." Rudy kept on, carefully working on Terry's tightly knotted muscles. When Rudy was finished, Terry sighed, half in relief because he felt better, half with regret that Rudy had stopped. It had been a long time since anyone other than Kel had touched him in a ... he supposed a personal way. With Kel it had been to clean him up after a beating, or to give him a quick hug when something good happened, the way brothers do.

Terry was surprised when Rudy came around to sit beside him. At least until Rudy said, "Give me your arm."

Grinning a bit, Terry replied, "I rather like it where it is."

Rudy just shook his head. "You know what I mean." When Terry stretched out his arm, Rudy went to work, starting at his shoulder and moving down. Terry rested his head on the back of the sofa, savoring the feeling of Rudy's hands on him. Despite the reason behind it, it was almost sensual. When Rudy finished, he moved to the other side, chuckling when Terry immediately offered his other arm without even opening his eyes. "You like this, don't you?"

"You better believe it." Terry frowned in thought. "You know, I don't think anyone's ever done this to me before. In fact I know they haven't."

"Damn, you don't know what you're missing."

"I do now," Terry replied with a smile. "If I had the money, I'd hire you as my personal ... umm ... masseuse?"

"I think that would be masseur. And you wouldn't have to hire me. I'm quite willing to do it for free."

Terry's eyes popped open with surprise. "Seriously?"

"Yeah." Rudy smiled, saying, "Okay, lay face down on the sofa. Or better yet on the floor."

"Umm, why?"

"I'm betting your legs feel as bad as your shoulders did, from our being chased last night."

Terry resisted gulping at the idea Rudy was going to massage his legs. That did not however stop him from doing as Rudy said. He rested his head on his folded arms, tensing when he felt Rudy's hands on his thighs. This was getting way more personal than he thought he could handle.

"Relax," Rudy said softly. "I'm not going to do anything more than give your legs a rub down."

"I know." Terry wondered when he said that if he sounded as needy for something more as he felt. I'm being ... stupid. He's just a nice guy who's trying to make me feel better after what happened last night. Physically. I mean ... easing aching muscles since ... Damn. The feel of Rudy's hands on the backs of his legs was erotic. Stop, he cautioned himself. Pretend it's Josie, or some girl I went to school with. Easier said than done. He almost sighed with relief when Rudy's hands moved lower, rubbing his calves. He finally began to calm down.

Then Rudy blew it when he said, "This would have been better if I'd had you take off your jeans. Or not."

"Yeah, umm ..." Terry managed to get out.

Rudy leaned forward, his hands beside Terry's shoulders. "Turned you on, didn't it. Or at least I think it did. It sure did something to me. So ..." He kissed the nape of Terry's neck then got up. "Where the hell is a cold shower when a guy needs one?"

They both heard the sound of approaching footsteps outside the door at the same moment, then a series of knocks.

"That worked just as well," Terry muttered, rolling over and sitting up.

"Big time," Rudy agreed as he went to lift the bar off the door and let Josie and the guys in.

 

 

6 - Caomhnóir – Manny

 

 

“Ah, home sweet home,” Manny said as he led Alasdair into his loft.

 

“And quite an interesting one,” Alasdair commented as he surveyed the living area. “I think I can state unequivocally that I have never seen sixteenth and seventeenth works of art displayed against a graffiti background. Who is the painter?”

 

“That would be me. One of the less useful but more interesting skills I learned during my tenure with Cerdic.”

 

“You have an intriguing way with a spray can.” He stopped suddenly in front of a small portrait. “Good heavens, boy, is this an Antonis Mor?”

 

“Yes. I’m afraid I came by it somewhat illegally, but then so did the man I liberated it from. He was a philistine who had no real appreciation for art, only for the money he could get from it.”

 

Alasdair continued his perusal of the canvases, asking as he did, “All of these you ‘liberated’ as you put it?”

 

“No,” Manny replied with a chuckle, “some of them I came by quite legitimately. When you’ve lived as long as I have you accumulate wealth. I happen to like collecting certain pieces of art. So, I do.”

 

“Fair enough.” With a nod, Alasdair turned to look at Manny. “Now, down to business, but first sit, please. You are still are not up to par.” Once Manny had done as requested, Alasdair continued. “I am worried, as is Sofietje, that the Scriostóir was able to find you so easily at the hotel.”

 

“Doesn’t make my day either,” Manny admitted. “I certainly didn’t leave any footprints, at least that I’m aware of.”

 

“There’s the rub—that you are aware of. The man must know his way around computers and the internet. Perhaps he was cleverer than you thought. Him or one of his people. What’s to say he won’t start the whole operation up again?”

 

“He won’t. I made quite sure of that. What I’m wondering is, did he somehow know I was in town. If he did he probably figured I was the one who shut him down.”

 

“If that is the case, then we have a leak unless you told someone where you were going. Even then—" Alasdair shook his head.

 

“All I said to anyone was that I was heading south, not where.”

 

“To whom?”

 

“One of the men at the house, and then the boys when they asked if I was sticking around.”

 

“I see. A man who, I would presume, worked for Cerdic. Yes, Sofietje filled me in on everything when she asked for my assistance with you.”

 

Manny cocked an eyebrow. “Does this mean you’re mijn commandant while I’m here?”

 

“Indeed I am. Your first task, once you are one hundred percent again, is to find out if this man you mentioned was more than just Cerdic’s employee.”

 

“Which I’d bet means that I go back to the house. I wonder if they need help.”

 

“That, boy, is something you will have to find out. I rather doubt you’d be able to move back in as one of the charges now.”

 

“No shit. Okay, I’ll see what I can come up with.”

5 - Caomhnóir – Manny

 

 

“You’re one lucky young man. By rights you should be in the morgue, not here,” a man said.

 

Warily, Manny opened his eyes then closed them again to shut out the light. “Where’s ‘here’?” he asked hoarsely.

 

“General Hospital, and not the one on television, the real thing,” a second man said from the other side of the bed.

 

“Figures. Where’s Rick Springfield when I need eye candy.”

 

There was a low chuckle. “Guess he’ll live if his mind’s going in that direction. If you need me, I’ll be right outside.”

 

Manny heard a door open then close and opened his eyes again, expecting to see a cop or a doctor, he wasn’t certain which, still in the room. Instead he saw a man with a mane of tawny gold hair sitting at the side of his bed. “Let me guess, you’re a friend of Sofietje’s.”

 

“Associate. I’ve never actually met her. She asked me to come rescue you from the jaws of whatever trouble you seem to have attracted. My name is Alasdair.”

 

“Heard of you, of course. You gonna get me out of here?”

 

“I am. Officially, as far as they’re concerned, I’m your private physician, sent by your parents to whisk you away from the big bad city before someone else tries to mug you.”

 

“That’s the story? That I was mugged on the fourth floor of a hotel?” Manny snorted softly.

 

“Since another person saw most of what happened, yes. They heard shots and strangely enough actually looked into the hallway to see if someone was in trouble. They saw a man bending over you. Then he ran to the fire stairs with your bag and laptop case in hand. Is he going to find anything we should worry about when he turns the laptop on?”

 

“Naw. Just a wiped hard drive unless he knows the password, and believe me no one could figure it out on the first try.”

 

“Good. What I don’t understand is how they found you.”

 

“What says someone found me? It really could have been a mugging.”

 

Alasdair reached into his pocket, pulling out an envelope. “This was found on you,” he told Manny, handing it to him.

 

“Ouch,” Manny said when he’d read the brief message. “Looks like I’ve made another enemy. Lucky me.”

 

“At least he doesn’t know your real name or, I would say, what you are.”

 

“The name, probably not, but he’d be real stupid not to know who targeted him and why. So,” Manny pushed himself erect, wincing in pain for a moment before tamping it down, “let’s get me gone before he starts checking hospitals for gunshot victims.”

 

“And before the doctors realize you are healing much too quickly.”

4 - Caomhnóir – Manny

 

 

As he sat at his laptop in a monotonously decorated hotel room in a city south of the Mason-Dixon Line, Manny’s thoughts returned to Hamlin and the fact that he’d seemingly vanished to who knew where. Manny knew he should be concentrating of finding the man who called himself ‘Dr. Help’, an on-line therapist with a huge worldwide following. ‘Dr. Help’ was far from helping many of those people who came to his site with problems. In point of fact, the man behind the name was a Scriostóir who had come up with a unique way to stir up trouble.

 

The Scriostóir ran his site out of a house in one of the more affluent communities of the city. A house so well secured that even if the authorities were aware of just what he was doing, they would have been unable to gain access either legally or illegally.

 

Manny’s job was to stop ‘Dr. Help’ by whatever means possible. If he managed to kill him in the process, so much the better, although he knew that would probably not happen. He’d lost his taste for assassination many years ago, and the battle that ended with Cerdic’s death had only reinforced it.

 

Forcing himself to start concentrating on the job, he studied the files he had collected plus the ones Sofietje had sent him. It was then that he realized he didn’t have to have a face-to-face with ‘Dr. Help’. Manny might look, and often act, like an eighteen-year-old, but since he’d been around a hell of a lot longer than that, he knew more about computers, everything involved with them and how to use them, than most people.

 

Hell, he’d been around when Turing had come up with the machine that had paved the way for the modern computer. He’d followed the progression from that on through to the transistor-based machines with a layman’s interest. Then he’d become hooked, learning all that he could, carrying it beyond what the average person knew, and didn’t know, about how to use and manipulate information. In other words, he’d become an expert hacker, although it had been a while since he’d put his skills to use. Three plus years to be exact.

 

“Okay, ‘Doc’,” he muttered under his breath. “Let’s see what I can do to fuck things up for you big time.”

 

* * * *

 

Two days later, Manny was packing up to head back to New York. He’d decided, with Sofietje’s permission, to make the city his home base for the next nine months rather than returning to his apartment in Rotterdam. She understood why he needed to be there. When she finally gave in to his request he’d said, “Who would have thought that a Witte Wieven could be a romantic.” He could almost see her rolling her eyes in response as her soft laughter echoed on his phone.

 

The Scriostóir’s operation had been brought down. No longer would ‘Dr. Help’ be manipulating unwary humans who turned to him for on-line therapy, destroying their dignity and doing his best to traumatize them even more under the guise of trying to help them overcome their problems.

 

“I done good,” he muttered as he closed the hotel room door behind him and started down the hall to the elevator.

 

“Too damned good,” a man’s voice said, just before two shots rang out, throwing Manny back against the wall. As he slid down to the floor he felt something fall into his lap. Then darkness overtook him.

3 - Caomhnóir – Manny

 

 

A month had passed since Manny last saw the house that had belonged to Cerdic. “And it hasn’t changed in the least,” he commented under his breath, and then laughed. “Of course it hasn’t.”

 

“Talking to yourself?” a familiar voice asked from behind him.

 

Manny swung around and smiled. “Bad habit I know, Gebhard.”

 

“Are you back to stay now?” Gebhard opened the front door, waiting for Manny to enter.

 

“No. I’m on my way south but I couldn’t come through the city and not stop to say hello to everyone.”

 

“Manny!” Jakie shouted, racing down to the foyer the second he spotted him at the bottom of the stairs.

 

“Hey, kid. How goes?” Manny said, reverting to character as he ruffled Jakie’s hair.

 

“Better now that you’re here. You sticking around?”

 

“I wish, but I can’t. Places to go, things to do you know.” With a smile, Manny allowed Jakie to pull him up the stairs to the living room. “So where’s everyone?” he asked, seeing the room was empty and not hearing the usual voices.

 

“Mr. Shadrick took them on an outing to the museum. I couldn’t go 'cause I’m sick.”

 

“You sure as hell don’t act sick. What’s wrong with you?”

 

Standing on tiptoe, Jakie whispered conspiratorially, “Nothing. I just didn’t want to go so I said my stomach hurt.”

 

Manny chuckled. “Brat. So everyone went including Hamlin?”

 

“Not Hamlin. He left.”

 

“He what?” Manny shot a look at Gebhard, who nodded. “Why?”

 

“He didn’t say exactly why,” Gebhard replied. “Just that there was something he had to do.”

 

“Did he say where he was going, or when he’s coming back?”

 

“No. He just packed up and took off.”

 

“Damn him,” Manny growled angrily. “He could at least have—“

 

He was interrupted by the sounds of many footsteps coming up the stairs. Then the boys flooded into the room, surrounding him with bodies and words all spoken at once as they greeted him. In the bedlam that ensued, Manny had no chance to think about what he’d just learned as the boys fed him with questions and told him about everything that had happened since he’d left.

2 - Caomhnóir – Manny

 

 

“Too long indeed,” Manny agreed. “Three years to bring down Cerdic. But it was worth it.”

 

With a nod of agreement, Sofietje said, “I am relieved that you completed your mission successfully, and surprised that he and his people did not realize that you hadn’t aged, to be quite honest.”

 

Manny shrugged. “I am good at what I do and know how to fool people, especially humans.”

 

“Even your lover?”

 

“Even Hamlin, yes. So far.” He took a deep breath and then asked, “Are you sending me back soon?”

 

“Now you know that I can’t do that for another nine months. Or did you mean back to the States?”

 

“Both, I suppose.”

 

Sofietje twisted a strand of her long, white hair around her finger as she thought about that. “To be truthful, I am not certain it would be wise to give you a task that would keep you close to this Hamlin. On the other hand, if I don’t then you will be distracted, thinking of him. Give me a day and I shall let you know what I decide.”

 

“Fair enough. Do you need me for anything else at the moment?”

 

Sofietje chuckled. “No. Go out on the town. Be yourself for a while. Be young and alive, but behave.”

 

“Behave? Now what fun is that?” Manny’s lips quirked up in a grin for the first time since he’d returned to Rotterdam.

 

“Manfred,” Sofietje growled. Then she laughed. “You know what I mean. I do not want to have to bail you out like the last time.”

 

“Then come with me. We can do up the town together.”

 

“While I would enjoy that, I don’t think it would be wise. I might be tempted to deal with some rude young man in ways that would be hard to explain to those around us.”

 

“Yeah. Turning one into a dog might not be your wisest move.”

 

“Indeed,” she replied with a laugh. “So go, have fun, and report back here this time tomorrow.”

 

1 - Caomhnóir – Manny

 

 “It went well?”

 

Manny nodded. “Let us just say the Scriostóir is dead, but not happily so, mijn commandant.”

 

Sofietje arched one white eyebrow. “He’ll spend forever in eternal damnation? How unfortunate.” The tone of her voice gave lie to her words. “It is good to finally have you back, Manfred.”

 

“Thank you, mijn commandant,” he replied quietly.

 

“What is it?” she asked when he said nothing more. “Something troubles you.”

 

Manny smiled wryly. “You live up to your name, Sofietje. Another Scriostóir died when Cerdic did.”

 

“I would say excellent but I have the feeling you are betwixt and between about that.”

 

“He was a man of honor who died to save my life. If you had asked me before I met him I would have said it was impossible for a Scriostóir to have anything close to honor, but he did.”

 

Sofietje, who knew Manny perhaps even better than he did himself, asked in a kindly voice, “Did you love him?”

 

“A little I suppose, at the end. In another time and place, if we had been different men, I might have truly loved him.”

 

“I’m sorry,” she replied softly. “And what of your human lover?”

 

Manny glanced at her in surprise. “You know about him?”

 

“I suspected. I didn’t actually know until this moment. Now that your job is over are you thinking about continuing the relationship?”

 

“Of course I am thinking about it. I care for him and he cares for me. But as you were so careful to point out, he is human. I am not.” He paced across her office now, stopping in front of the night-darkened window to stare at his reflection. Finally turning back, he sighed. “Not human, and forever eighteen, so while I would like to be with him, how could it work? He’s already four years my senior, at least—“

 

“At least in appearances.” Sofietje smiled in compassion. “So, enjoy him while you can and then—disappear. There are many tasks I can give you, as always. You have been too long in this century as it is this time.”

 

 

28 - Scriostóir

 

 

The next few days were a flurry of activity. Manny knew he couldn’t just walk away from everything despite the fact that his job was over. He needed to know that the boys would be all right and, if it came down to it, find them good families to be placed with.

 

As it turned out, that wasn’t going to be necessary. Manny was shocked to find out that, against all reasonable expectations, Cerdic had made provisions for the boys. He had willed the house to Gebhard and Mr. Shadrick equally, with the proviso that they were to take care of any of them who were in residence at the time of his death until the boys reached eighteen.

 

What surprised Manny even more was the return of Hamlin. When the young man heard about Cerdic’s death he was on the next plane back to the city. He showed up at the front door and was immediately surrounded by the boys. Jakie refused to let go of his hand, as if, if he did, Hamlin would somehow vanish.

 

It wasn’t until several hours later the Manny got a chance to be alone with Hamlin.

 

“So, are you planning on sticking around now?” were the first words out of Hamlin’s mouth as he perched on the edge of what had been Godric’s bed just a few days before.

 

“I was going to ask you the same thing,” Manny retorted from his seat on his own bed.

 

“I probably am. There’s nothing holding me in London now. It’s a great city, and I’ll miss it I suppose, but when it comes down to it this is home.”

 

“Meaning New York or here at the house specifically?”

 

“Both, I guess,” Hamlin replied with a smile. “Now, your turn. Staying or going?”

 

Manny dropped his gaze. “Going.”

 

“I see. I suppose I should have expected that.”

 

“It’s not by choice.” Manny looked over at him again. “There’s somewhere I have to be.”

 

“Family?”

 

Manny just nodded, because in some strange way he supposed that being a Caomhnóir made him part of a very unique kind of family, one whose purpose was to keep humans like Hamlin and the boys alive and safe.

 

Hamlin stared at him for a long minute before getting up. He crossed the room slowly to sit down beside Manny. “Will you come back again?”

 

“Yes,” Manny replied with a smile. “For you, when I can, I’ll be back as often as possible.”

 

“That’s all I ask, other than that someday, when you feel comfortable about it, you tell me exactly what is really going on with you.”

 

Wrapping his arms around Hamlin, Manny said softly, “I will, when the time is right.” And then he kissed his lover deeply, all his feelings for the man poured into it. And Hamlin returned it with equal fervor and love.

 

The End

 

 

27 - Scriostóir

 

Twenty-four hours after the battle, Manny had healed sufficiently to be able to finish what needed to be done. He packed his belongings and Godric’s, taking them out to the car. Then he returned to the cabin. In a storage room off the kitchen he found what he was looking for. Hefting the sealed can, he took it back to the main room. There, he opened it, pouring the liquid back and forth across the floor, ending at the fireplace, pouring the last dregs of fuel into it. Then he paused, looking around the room. His eyes lit on the tapestries and for one moment he considered taking them with him. Then, with a shake of his head, he turned back to the fireplace. Dropping to one knee, he lit the tinder beneath the logs.

 

Standing again, he bowed his head for a brief second and then strode quickly to the door. Closing it gently behind him, he walked to the car. As he started to drive away the first of the flames lit the cabin windows.

 

He waited until he reached the highway and then called the authorities, letting them know that he’d seen what appeared to be a fire and telling them where.

 

Two hours later he was parking the car at the house in the city. He walked into the living room by way of the terrace to find the boys huddled around the television watching some shoot ‘em up.

 

Jakie was the first to notice him standing there. “Where’s Rick and Mr. Wyndham,” he asked, trying to peer past Manny to see if they were coming in behind him.

 

“There’s something I have to tell you, but first I need everyone in here, so would you please go get Gebhard and Mr. Shadrick.”

 

Jakie nodded, and then raced off, returning minutes later with the two adults.

 

“What’s going on, Manny?” Gebhard wanted to know.

 

“There’s—there was a fire at the cabin. I—I was—I took a walk 'cause I couldn’t sleep and—hell.”

 

The boys listened in disbelief. “They’re dead?” one of them asked hesitantly.

 

Manny nodded. “I’m afraid so. I don’t—I’m sorry.”

 

“It’s not your fault,” Jakie said, throwing his arms around Manny’s waist.

 

Gebhard looked as if he was about to say something and then changed his mind. “Boys, I think we should let Manny get to bed, in fact all of you should be heading that way.”

 

“I’m all right, sir,” Manny told him.

 

“Be that as it may, Mr. Shadrick and I will get them to bed and let them talk if they need to.” Gebhard looked somewhat uncomfortable; as if that wasn’t something he was sure how to handle. Mr. Shadrick took over, herding the boys out of the room.

 

Gebhard remained behind, asking, “Do you know how it started? And are you quite certain they’re dead?”

 

“I know they’re dead. The cabin was fully engulfed in flames when I got back and there was no sign of them outside. I—I don’t know why it happened.”

 

“Alright. We’ll talk more about it in the morning, and about what happens now that Mr. Wyndham is dead. Go get some sleep, if you can.”

 

“Yes, sir. Thank you for—“ Manny shrugged disconsolately.

 

“Nothing to thank me for,” Gebhard replied with a small smile. “I’ll see you when you get up.”

 

 

26 - Scriostóir

 

 

“Children,” Cerdic spat out as the battle raged. “Mere infants when it comes to dealing out death.”

 

At that moment it would have appeared that he was correct. Both Godric and Manny, despite fighting two on one against Cerdic, were getting the worst of it as Cerdic wheeled, dodged and came back at them, great sword pounding against their lesser weapons, his other one slashing through even the smallest opening that his foes left in their defenses.

 

Godric stumbled back, avoiding a potentially deadly blow by the merest of inches. At the same moment Manny swung his mace, intending to stave in Cerdic’s ribs, a move he’d tried before with minimal success.

 

Cerdic gave a sharp laugh as he nimbly dodged the mace again, slashing his shorter sword deeply into Manny’s thigh. Manny dropped to the floor, crossing sword and mace in a ‘V’ to catch the Cerdic’s next swing and twisting his weapons hard, to deflect the sword from his chest.

 

Godric took advantage of Cerdic’s momentary inattention to swoop in, his scramsaxe leaving a wide swath of blood streaming down Cerdic’s back. The elder Scriostóir bit back a cry of pain, turning it into a shout of rage as he sent one booted foot into the open wound in Manny’s thigh. Manny gasped, the blood draining from his face.

 

“One Caomhnóir down, one foe to go,” Cerdic almost chortled as he lifted the great sword and started it on a downward arc that would cleave Manny from throat to groin.

 

“Like hell,” Godric shouted, diving forward, delivering a vicious slash to Cerdic’s wrist with his scramsaxe.

 

With one practiced move, Cerdic switched his sword into his off-hand, spun, and brought it down with fearsome force on Godric’s shoulder. It split through it and continued down, severing spine and ribs.

 

Godric’s eyes widened in shock, his last word as he fell a growled, “Damn.”

 

As Cerdic shouted in triumph, Manny staggered to his knees. Fighting off impending darkness, he raised his mace, slamming it into the Scriostóir’s back. The sound of crushed bone filled the room as Cerdic arched momentarily and then dropped like a stone, his legs now useless bits of flesh and bone. 

 

Manny swung one more time, the mace entering the back of Cerdic’s skull. Leaving it where it landed, Manny crawled to the side of his fallen comrade. Taking his dagger from its sheath, praying that there was still one small glimmer of life in him, Manny plunged it into Godric’s heart, as he said the ritual words that would free him forever.

 

Then, angrily, he turned to Cerdic, seeing the last bit of life draining from his eyes. “You murdered one of your own,” he told him. “One who, by rights and the purity deep in his heart, should have been one of mine. For this you will die, but not be freed.” Holding the dagger’s blade over the Scriostóir’s heart, he slowly pressed down. Then, that part of the ritual completed, he pulled it free and sheathed it again without another word spoken.

25 - Scriostóir

 

‘Stay calm,’ Cerdic admonished himself as he leaned against the back of the bench in the main room. He found that doubly hard to do however as he watched Godric trying to work his wiles on Manny. Thankfully Manny still seemed to be resisting. Cerdic hoped that soon he’d tire of the games and go to his room for the night. Then Cerdic would be able to destroy Godric without Manny being any the wiser. In the morning he would tell Manny that he had sent ‘Rick’ back to the city on an errand. Later, when he and Manny returned themselves, he would come up with some excuse why ‘Rick’ was no longer around.

 

He scowled when Godric casually put one arm around Manny’s shoulder and whispered something to him as the two boys watched the end of whatever show was on the television. Manny shook his head, but didn’t pull away and Cerdic’s scowl deepened.

 

Minutes later, Manny suddenly jumped to his feet. “Enough is enough,” he said angrily. “I thought you were just kidding around.”

 

Godric was standing seconds later. “I don’t ‘kid around’ about something like this. I’ve grown more than fond of you since we met. I want you to feel the same about me. Damn it, Manny, at least give me a chance!” He gripped Manny’s arm to keep him from walking away, apparently not caring the Cerdic was watching their every movement.

 

Manny appeared oblivious to Cerdic’s presence as he struggled to get free of Godric. “I’m not like that,” he said angrily. “I’m not some fucking faggot like you.”

 

“Then why did you lead me on to believe that you were interested?” Godric retorted angrily, tightening his grip.

 

“Both of you, stop this now!” Cerdic roared at he crossed the room. “Rick, release him now! Manny go upstairs. I’ll deal with him.”

 

Godric dropped his hand from Manny’s arm, staring hard at Cerdic. “How do you intend on dealing with me, sir,” he sneered, his arms hanging loosely at his sides.

 

Without answering Godric, although his eyes never left him, Cerdic again ordered Manny to leave the room and go upstairs to his room.

 

“Oh I think not,” Manny said under his breath as his weapons materialized, a hand-and-a-half sword in one hand, and a flanged mace in the other.

 

At the same moment Godric’s also appeared. He held both a scramsaxe and sword with a wide, double-edged blade. His face was grave as he said, “You can surrender and face your death honorably and I’ll make certain that it is indeed a final death, not one that puts you into the eternal torment that you so richly deserve.”

 

Cerdic’s lips curled up in contempt. “Boy, do you truly believe that you can defeat me?” While he spoke weapons materialized in his hands as well, one great sword that he held as if it weighed nothing, and a shorter one of the same type as Godric’s.

 

“We can,” Manny replied, stepping into Cerdic’s view.

 

“Well now, this is unexpected. Scriostóir or Caomhnóir?”

 

“Caomhnóir,” Manny answered even as he made the opening lung of the battle.

 

24 - Scriostóir

 

 

Cerdic watched the two young men with some amusement during lunch. Rick would inch towards Manny, trying to be subtle. Once Manny realized what he was doing, he’d either tense but remain where he was or move away, all the time seemingly unable to keep his eyes off of Rick. It became a comic ballet in several acts but eventually Cerdic grew tired of it.

 

“Boys, if you’re feeling antsy, and from what I am seeing I believe you are, might I suggest you work it off by chopping wood for the fireplaces. It may be warm outside at the moment, but by this evening the temperature will have dropped considerably.”

 

Manny and Godric immediately jumped up, stopping at the sink long enough to wash up their dishes before heading back outside. Cerdic waited until they had left and then refilled his coffee cup, taking it with him to the bench by the large picture window in the main room.

 

He looked around the room, once again marveling at how it took him back to a time long ago when life had been so different. Here, and only here, did he truly feel at home.

 

Leaning against the back of the bench, he studied each of the tapestries in turn, recalling when he had acquired each one and why. The three largest had been woven by his mother and sisters and depicted the history of the family. Two centuries after his death he had made the acquaintance of another Scriostóir and, through not so subtle blackmail, had convinced her to return to the period just before he had slain his family and bring those tapestries back with her. Of course, once she had, he felt it necessary to kill her, not wanting word of what he’d forced her to do to reach the ears of those who might not understand.

 

A shaft of early afternoon sun through the window behind him hit one of the tapestries. The women of his family, including his new sister-in-law had finished it a mere months before their deaths. It depicted the weddings of his father and brothers in sequence. As he focused in on the sunlit portion, he felt a chill. Standing quickly, he strode over for a closer look.

 

“Now I know,” he spat out as he stared at the portrayal of his youngest brother’s wedding. The bride stood shyly beside her new husband. “It’s in the eyes, and the lips,” Cerdic growled. “What are you, Rick Ward, or to be more precise, Godric Aylward? Scriostóir sent to spy on me or Caomhnóir here to slay me?”

 

Taking a deep breath to rein in his rage, Cerdic returned to the window to stare out at the two boys. “Whichever you are, you will not make it through the night alive, Godric.”

 

23 - Scriostóir

 

 

Cerdic stood on the balcony outside of his second floor bedroom, watching Manny and Rick as they talked, knowing they were unaware that he could see if not hear them. His lips curled up in amusement. He wondered which one was coming on to the other, and if said other would accept or walk away in disgust. They both looked so serious, but then humans were like that. To them sex and romance were the be all and end all of existence.

 

With that thought, he walked back into his room, but not before he saw Rick throw his arms around Manny, hugging him tightly. So, they indeed are going to extend their working relationship into something more. This could prove interesting. He hoped that wouldn’t cause complications. But if it did, he’d handle them.

 

* * * *

 

In the woods at the far end of the cabin’s backyard, Manny smiled, stepping back. “He saw, now to see if he believed.”

 

“Good thing you spotted him up there when you did,” Godric replied seriously. “Now if we play it up more while we’re around him, it could give us the chance we need.”

 

Manny tapped a knuckle against his lips, deep in thought for a moment. “We shouldn’t make it look as if we’re going to jump into bed together the first second we get the chance. Let’s keep it a dance. You’ve made the first move; I’m interested, but still uncertain. After all, as far as he knows, this will be my first time with a man.”

 

“Would it be, if this was real?” Godric asked.

 

“No,” Manny told him, chuckling. “Point of fact, I’ve been with men before, but never with a woman.”

 

Godric broke out in laughter. “Then you probably know a hell of a lot more about it than I do.”

 

“You can’t be serious. I mean, I thought that’s what you did, what you were doing, umm, you know what I’m saying.”

 

“I should amend that I guess. I know how to satisfy a man with my mouth, but I’ve never actually gone beyond that.”

 

“So when I was watching you, before I recruited you--?”

 

“It was all an act set up with the help of a campealdor who was asked to assist me,” Godric told him.

 

“I see. No wonder you sounded so scared the first time we did a job together. He almost took it further than you were willing to go.  What about women?”

 

“Not to brag, but with them I’m far from being a virgin. They’re definitely my preferred sexual partners.”

 

“This is too funny. Maybe I should have been the one coming on to you.”

 

Godric snorted. “That, he would never have believed. Anyway, back to what you said, you’re right I think. You play it hesitant, even maybe having second thoughts.”

 

Manny nodded. “What if, going with that, we have a blowout in his presence? If we’re angry with each other he might drop his guard and try to step in, because our just attacking him outright is not going to work. He’s too old and experienced.”

 

“He’s only a few years older than me. However I’m quite certain he’s much more vicious than either of us. And have not doubt about it, this is going to be a fight to the death as far as I’m concerned.”

 

“Between the two of us, we should come out the winners.”

 

22 - Scriostóir

 

Godric’s first thought when Manny said they needed to talk was that the young man was about to come on to him. He steeled himself, trying to think of some way to turn him down without hurting his feelings.

 

Manny must have seen something in Godric’s expression because he took a step backwards, shaking his head. “This is not what you’re thinking. We’re friends and I want nothing beyond that. Although…" He paused, a flurry of emotions crossing his face.

 

“Although what, Manny?” Godric asked when the silence stretched uncomfortably.

 

“There are things I need to tell you and I want you to promise not to say anything until I’ve finished. Can you do that?”

 

Godric nodded slowly, wondering where this was leading.

 

“To begin with, Manny is my name, just not…my full one. Officially I was baptized Manfred Van der Venne, in 1497 A.D. I died in 1515, a traitor to my country although I saw myself as a rebel. Others, needless to say, did not.” As he spoke, Manny watched Godric carefully. “I made a choice, just as you did. However my offer came from the Rialóir Deiridh.”

 

“Caomhnóir,” Godric said quietly, uncertain if he was angry or relieved.

 

“I am,” Manny replied, lifting a hand to stop Godric from saying more at the moment. “I was asked by mijn commandant to infiltrate the ranks of Cerdic’s boys since I look young enough to be one. I’ve been with him for three years, passing on the information I’ve gathered not only to him but to mijn commandant as well. That way we stand a chance of foiling at least some of Cerdic’s plots.”

 

“Why are you telling me this? I’m presuming, from the fact that you are, that you know what I am and must have for a while now.”

 

“Mijn vijand, my enemy. And yes, I knew from the beginning. Sometimes, very rarely, Caomhnóir and Scriostóir work together against a common foe within their ranks, in this case Cerdic.” Manny smiled slightly. “I gather that he’s made at least one formidable enemy within your order. Two, if I count you.”

 

Godric returned Manny’s small smile with one of his own. “In my case I’m only looking for revenge. When he’s dead I’ll go back to my duties as any good Scriostóir would.”

 

“And I’ll continue to be a loyal Caomhnóir. Until then however I suggest we join forces and eliminate Cerdic once and for all.”

 

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” Godric replied a bit sardonically. “None the less, I accept your offer of help.”

 

21 - Scriostóir

 

 

Godric stopped just inside the door of Cerdic’s cabin, which was deep in the woods a hundred miles north of the city. A feeling of nostalgia flooded him as he looked at the large room that took up half of the first floor. It was in so many ways reminiscent of his own home from thirteen centuries ago. Not a direct copy of course, but the feel was there. He could almost envision the times when he and his sister had played games of hide and seek. He would slip behind tapestries much like the ones he was looking at now, certain she couldn’t find him. She, being three years his elder, would pretend to look for him everywhere but where he was until he started giggling because he had thought he’d fooled her.

 

All that ended when she had become betrothed to Cerdic’s youngest brother. From that moment on she had spent all her time until the day of her wedding learning how to be the perfect wife. The day of her marriage had been the last time Godric had seen her alive. She became one of the victims of Cerdic’s murderous attempt to take over his father’s small kingdom. He had succeeded, only to be killed in battle a few months afterwards.

 

Nine years later, Godric was dead as well. It was centuries before he discovered that, just as he had, Cerdic had become a Scriostóir, as well—and centuries more before he was able to find him. Now he had only a few more days to complete his mission and destroy the one creature that he truly hated, heart and soul.

 

Godric jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder. “You were off in space somewhere,” Manny said, laughing. “I know this place is impressive, and you haven’t seen the half of it. Come on, I’ll show you around.” He paused, looking at Cerdic. “That’s if it’s all right with you, Mr. Wyndham.”

 

“Please do. I’ll unpack and start lunch.” When the boys looked at him in surprise, he chuckled. “This is a small vacation for all of us. I intend to do my share of the work.”

 

With a grin, Manny slung his arm around Godric’s shoulders and took him into the next room, a well-furnished den with all the entertainment features boys their age could desire. From there, he led Godric through the rest of the house. Finally he suggested that they take a look at the grounds, since there was still time before lunch.

 

As they walked down the long, sloping back lawn to the edge of the woods, Godric was already plotting how he could get rid of Manny so that he would be free to slay Cerdic, or, he admitted honestly to himself, perhaps be slain by the Scriostóir.

 

“Come, look at this,” Manny said, breaking Godric’s train of thought.

 

Ahead of them a few hundred yards into the trees, Godric saw a swift-running stream. “Good for fishing?” he asked as he followed Manny down to it.

 

“Very good,” Manny said, “and very private too. We can’t be seen from the cabin unless he goes onto his balcony.”

 

Godric looked at him in surprise. “Why would you care about that?”

 

“Because we have to talk, somewhere where he can’t hear us.”

20 - Scriostóir

Godric looked up from his homework when Manny came bouncing into their room like a kid on speed. “What?” he asked in amusement.

 

“Mr. Wyndham’s taking us up to his retreat for the weekend. Just you and me, as a reward.”

 

“Reward for what?” Godric asked a bit warily.

 

“Cause we did good on the jobs. Sometimes he likes to make us feel special when that happens.”

 

“But the other kids—“

 

“They’ll get their turns when they earn them. I think it’s partly because you’re new and he wants to keep you around you know.”

 

“No problem there. I’m liking this place and everything,” Godric replied, lying through his teeth. But he knew that’s what he was expected to say.

 

“I’m with you there. So, anyway, we gotta pack so we’re ready to leave first thing in the morning.”

 

Godric nodded. There was only one thing that he had to take with him. And it wouldn’t need a bag to carry it; just the sheath that was always strapped to his thigh when he wasn’t in the gym or the shower.

 

After closing his book, Godric dragged his backpack from under the bed. “How cold is it up there?” he asked Manny while studying the clothes in his half of the closet.

 

“This time of year? Cold and snow, so you’d better take sweatshirts and more than a couple of pair of socks, on top of the usual.”

 

Godric nodded, and a few minutes later had his pack full to the brim with just enough room left for the sundries that he’d pack in the morning. Dropping it on the floor, he flopped back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. This could be his one and only chance to complete his self-appointed mission. Only Manny stood in his way, but that problem could be dealt with once they got up to the retreat. He frowned, looking over at him.

 

“What exactly is this retreat anyway?”

 

“Only the coolest place in the whole world I think. He’s got this huge cabin in the middle of nowhere. And I mean cabin, with wood walls and floors and stone fireplaces and all that but still it’s got everything anyone could want, even a Jacuzzi.” Manny paused, apparently thinking about the place. “There’s these fancy rugs on the walls with pictures on them. Umm, tapestries he calls them.”

 

“Sounds different,” Godric said, even as his mind flew back to before his death. And he wondered if in some way Cerdic was trying to recreate if not the house then at least the atmosphere of the times when they both had been alive.

 

He’d know soon enough.