Harsh panting filled the room as the two men caught their breaths, lying sated and exhausted on the big bed. The smells of sex - sweat, musk, and semen - permeated the air. The natural energy of youth allowed Lio, at seventeen, to recover first. He propped himself up on his right elbow to look at his current Master. Side by side like this, they were the same length, a good fit for all they had done.

The man in his bed was a warrior as evidenced by the thick heavy muscles in his arms and legs and across his barrel shaped chest. Lio idly traced the myriad of scars visible on his Master's chest and stomach, testimony to the hard life of a soldier. His light colored hair was cut short against his head, the better to put his heavy helmet on and off and to prevent an enemy from using his own hair as a weapon against him.

Lio noted the fine lines in his Master's face, caused by years spent in the sun and the wear and tear of his hard life. He also noted the glint of silver in the hair, and the slight give to the man's stomach where age was softening the once rock-hard muscles of his abdomen.

That was not to say that his Master was going soft, not yet. He was still a virile, powerful man, and Lio had the bruises to prove it. He would be sore tomorrow, he knew, but it was an ache he welcomed, a sign of his success in driving his Master to the heights of passion.

Sitting up fully, Lio picked up his Master's hand, measuring it against his own. Their hands were a match as well, both large with long, strong fingers. But where the Master's fingers were most often found clasped around the hilt of a sword, Lio's fingers now knew more about where to stroke and caress, and where to thrust and press within. Bringing his hand up in front of his face, he sniffed the heady smell of their sex then examined the instrument of his Master's pleasure. His hands were also calloused from years of hard work before, but had lost their roughness long ago. And now even the calluses were beginning to soften and disappear.

Lio climbed quietly off the bed and went to the bathing room, standing for a long moment before the full-length mirror. Turning sideways then back to the front, he ran his hands over his slender but well muscled body. In contrast to his Master, Lio's muscles were long and lean, those of a dancer rather than a fighter. He narrowed his tilted eyes, allowing the slitted irises to widen as he examined his own skin for signs of aging.

Finding none, he snorted softly and shook his head, watching his hair move. He studied his reflection as he thought about his life. The turquoise beads at the ends of the two narrow braids falling over his left shoulder were a warm weight, and the large golden feathers hanging down softly stroked his skin. As usual, he looked just the same as the seventeen year old youth who had arrived at the palace so long ago. He knew, in some part of his mind, that he had been here a long time, that he should look much older than he did.

But he never changed, or at least, he never aged. His hair was the same length it had always been, the blue-black mane falling straight to just below his shoulder blades. His eyes were the same streaked blue, bright and shining, laced with darker indigo striations that matched the turquoise beads so exactly. He held up his hands once again, examining the black tattoo that circled each wrist; a weaving, thorny vine pattern. It was repeated on his ankles, just as dark and fresh as if it had been applied last week.

Lio sighed, knowing these were mysteries he would never solve, as was the mystery of his past. Sometimes he had dreams of a wide, sun- filled valley, full of people he knew and who knew him. But when he tried to see their faces, they faded away into the mist that always flowed down the hills and hid them from his view. Other times he would wake, fingers curled and aching, smelling of dirt and plants and fresh air. Lio had read about lands outside the Palace, about farms and orchards and people who drew their living from the earth. He wondered if he had come from one of those places, and if so, how had he ended up here, doing what he did?

His Master's voice came from the doorway, responding to his sigh. "Missing me already, Lio? Ah, sweet boy, it has been wonderful, but you knew it had to end. I leave this evening with the sunset. I must report back to the caravan and see that everything is ready for our departure tomorrow."

Lio nodded. He swallowed the words that hovered on his tongue. He would not ask, he would not. His eyes met the light brown ones of his Master in the mirror. He couldn't help himself.

"Will you come back? Will you visit me again?" Lio hated himself as the words escaped. He always asked. He always got the same answer. He always vowed never to ask again.

"No, my dear," his Master came over behind him and laid his big hands on Lio's shoulders, kneading lightly. "This was a special treat granted me by the caravan owner, for my many years of long service. This is my last trip. When we get back to my homeland, I will stay there. I already have a nice piece of land picked out, and a very nice widow lady who is waiting for my return."

Seeing the sorrow that darkened the slave's eyes, the man smiled slightly. "You have been marvelous, a wonder and a delight. You will be a memory I carry in my heart for the rest of my life. But I can't stay, and you can't go with me." The Master leaned forward and kissed then nipped the side of Lio's neck under the two braids.

Lio tilted his head, reveling in this last caress. His Master's hands came around his chest and rubbed lightly at the dark nipples nestled in his dusky skin, teasing them until the buds rose up, flushed and rosy. He smiled as he saw the slave's penis stir between his legs, beginning to lift and lengthen once more. "Run a bath, then wait for me. I have something for you."

Lio did as he was told, filling the tub with warm water and adding just a hint of oil. His Master would not want to go back into the world smelling like a flower garden. The scent he chose was spicy and woody and totally masculine. He knelt beside the tub and awaited the return of his Master.

The man came back into the room and stopped beside the kneeling slave. He rested his hand on the dark head, then reached underneath to cup the finely shaped jaw. With the lightest of pressure, he raised Lio to stand in front of him. Lio's lips parted as his Master leaned in to share a gentle kiss with him, then both men stepped into the large sunken tub.

They rubbed and soaped each other, splashing playfully like two children. Lio's mood had passed, for now, and he wanted to send his Master off happy and satisfied, without a single worry about the pleasure slave he was leaving behind. The tub was large and deep; perfect for the activities Lio liked best.

His Master was reclining against the back of the tub, head back along the edge and arms steadying his body on either side. Lio slid up between his legs, pushing them apart, his hands supporting the other man's hips easily in the water. By holding his Master this way, Lio kept his body floating on top of the water, his long cock standing straight up.

Lio playfully licked along the length, pleased when he saw it fill even more. He engulfed the swollen head in his mouth, sucking lightly as he ran his tongue along the sensitive area just below the head. His tongue darted and played about the slit in the middle, causing his Master to gasp and tighten his legs about Lio's waist.

Looking up from under his lashes, Lio gauged his Master's reaction, and plunged his mouth down along the whole pulsing length, burying his nose in the curly hair at the base. His Master's hips bucked, trying to drive deeper into the moist heat that surrounded him. Lio held on, swallowing, using his throat muscles to massage the throbbing cock. His Master grabbed Lio's hair, pulling his mouth away.

"Oh, gods, you are magnificent!" he panted, coming to his feet in the tub. He quickly turned Lio around, pushing him up against the tile along the side. Without another word, he positioned himself and drove into Lio's willing body with a deep, hard thrust. Lio moaned at the sensation of being filled yet again, tightening his muscles so as to feel every inch of his Master's hard flesh pressing into his own.

Bracing his hands on the wall, Lio thrust back in time to his Master's tempo. He felt himself swell and tighten, reveling in his power to drive men such as this to the limit of their pleasure. He reached down to stroke his own erection, but found his hand caught and pinned to the wall again. Oh, yes, this was the Master! He would control the body of his slave, granting release only as he saw fit.

The Master took his hand away from Lio's, grabbing his slave's cock instead. He set up a demanding rhythm, driving the both of them beyond any semblance of control. With a final desperate plunge and hoarse shout of triumph, the strong warrior shot his seed deep into the willing body before him. He pumped Lio furiously as the slave gave into his own orgasm, coating the wall of the bath with his milky fluid.

Lio's arms trembled as he bore the weight of his Master, who was draped across his back, still breathing hard from his exertion. With a chuckle, the man pushed himself away and out of Lio, falling back into the water. Lio sank down into the warmth, getting his own breath back and soothing his abused muscles.

"Lio, Lio. I've got to go," his Master said, sounding genuinely sorry. They all were, or seemed to be. They came to visit the Gryphon Key for a short time, enjoyed themselves immensely, and then left to carry on with their own lives, leaving Lio alone once again until somebody new came along. Once, just once, Lio would like to see a familiar face come through that door.

"Of course, Master. May I say, it has been a great honor and pleasure to serve you." Lio climbed out of the bath, going to the cupboard along one wall. Pulling out one of the soft, oversized towels, Lio waited as the man stepped out, then carefully dried his body.

"I'll bet you say that to all your Masters," he teased. Wisely, Lio did not answer. He did say that to all his Masters, as they left. "I said I have something for you, and I do," the man continued. Lio helped this Master dress, then pulled on one of his favorite silk robes, the purple one with the wide silver collar and cuffs and the large gryphon in full flight embroidered on the back in matching silver thread. He preferred to wear this whenever he greeted a new Master, or said good-bye to an old one. For some reason, the robe was a comfort, and this practice had become something of a ritual with him.

Lio followed his Master out to the main room, over by the fireplace. He knelt on the thick white fur in front as the warrior lifted a carved wooden box from the wide mantel. He opened the box, and held it down in front of Lio's eyes. Inside the box, on a bed of red velvet, was a magnificent gold bracelet, heavy with charms of different animals. Wonder lit Lio's eyes as he reached out tentatively to touch the beautiful piece.

"Go ahead, touch it. In fact, here, let me put it on your arm." The man blushed as he dropped to his knees beside Lio, lifting the jewelry from its resting place and holding it out. "I was originally going to give this to my future wife, but I think I would rather you have it. She's a plain, practical woman, and doesn't really approve of a display of wealth. Besides, I have many other gifts for her." He fastened the chain, and sat back to admire the effect.

"Oh, yes. It suits you." Leaning forward, he kissed Lio softly on the forehead, then stood up. Lio remained kneeling as the Master left.