Sagon woke to sounds from the bathing room. He lay, drowsily content, until Lio came out. Then he took his turn. When he emerged, he found Lio by the table, pouring juice into two large glasses. Sagon tied the belt around the red robe he still wore and crossed the room to his chair.

Lio was naked, and Sagon appreciated the view as the boy set a plate in front of him with sausages and eggs swimming in some type of cheese sauce. A bowl of berries in cream was also on the table next to a plate of pastries.

Sagon sipped his juice, watching as Lio made his own selections and sat down across from him. Good, the boy had remembered. So far this morning, there had been no kneeling. He hoped to keep it that way.

"Do you always eat like this?" Sagon asked.

"No, only when there is a Master in residence. Usually, I just have some toasted bread and fruit, and maybe some cheese." The boy was obviously enjoying the sugary pastries, and Sagon smiled at the sight.

"Are you trying to fatten me up?" Sagon joked.

Lio looked up at him, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "You need to be fattened up some. I counted every one of your ribs last night. I can even tell you which of them have been broken. A warrior needs his strength."

Sagon just grunted. A warrior might need his strength, but Sagon was no longer a warrior. He did not know what he was, or what he would become. "I'm no longer a warrior," he said.

With eyes suddenly gone dark, Lio stared straight at him. "You will always be a warrior," he stated flatly. Sagon stared back at the slave, the hair on the back of his neck stirring. That statement had the sound of prophecy. Impatiently, Sagon shook off his foreboding.

The mood passed, and they talked lightly about what they might do to amuse themselves for the rest of the day. After breakfast, Lio pulled on a pair of dark green pants and brought out his exercise mat.

"Sagon, before we go to the gardens, I would like to do your leg exercises again." He took the robe off Sagon and had him lie on his back on the mat. Lio stretched his leg again, lifting and bending it as he had done the night before. When they were done, Sagon turned to him.

"Do you do that," he moved his hands in imitation of Lio's Tai Chi movements, "every day?"

"I try to, sir, to keep myself in shape. Unless my Master accompanies me, I am not allowed out of these rooms. Sometimes, I just dance," Lio shrugged.

Sagon knew the value of practice and exercise to keep one fit for duty. As a soldier, he had practiced the forms with his sword almost daily. He grunted, then asked, "When we get back, will you show me?"

Lio's face lit up like he had just been given a wonderful present. "Of course! You'll really like it. I always feel so peaceful when I'm done." He flicked his eyes at his right hand then back so quickly that Sagon almost missed it. "Well, almost always. But I think that the movements will be good for your leg, too." Lio chatted while he and Sagon finished dressing, and Sagon reveled in the shower of sound.

They walked the gardens for most of the morning. Sagon was amazed at the size of the Palace grounds, but Lio showed him that much of that was an illusion created by cleverly winding paths and artfully placed hedges.

Standing by the roses, Lio absently reached down and pinched off a half dead flower, tossing it aside. The gesture reminded Sagon of several other instances where Lio had stopped to look at a particular plant or pick off a leaf of something and examine it intently.

"Do you know much about plants," Sagon asked casually. It occurred to him that he didn't know anything about the man who's every waking moment was devoted to Sagon's pleasure.

"No," Lio frowned. "I just like… looking at them, feeling them. I like growing things," he added simply.

"How long have you been here?"

"I don't know. Years and years, I guess. I've seen the seasons change many times."

Sagon stared at Lio in surprise. "But you can't be over seventeen or eighteen, at the most. How old were you when you came to the Palace?"

Lio frowned. "I was seventeen when I came here. I know… I think… that I should be older, but I never seem to change. My hair," Lio's voice drifted off as he raised a hand to his hair, fingering the braids and the feathers that hung from them.

Sagon turned to look at the boy in amazement. Lio was staring off across the garden, eyes glazed and unfocused. "Lio?" Sagon shook him but got no reaction. "Lio!" Sagon took him by both shoulders and shook him sharply.

Lio's eyes snapped back in focus, misinterpreting the fear in Sagon's eyes as anger. Immediately, he sank to his knees, head bowed. "I'm sorry, Master. Please forgive me."

"No, no, Lio. You just frightened me. Now get up from there." Sagon helped the boy to his feet and watched him intently. The far away look had not completely faded from his eyes, and his expression was one of confusion. Lio looked around as if he was not quite sure where he was.

"I'm getting tired," Sagon said, gesturing to his leg. "Why don't we go back in now?"

"Yes, Master," Lio answered.

Sagon didn't correct him, worried by Lio's abstracted manner. He had seen men on the battlefield that acted much the same way when they were faced with more than they could handle. What was it about this one's past that could cause such a reaction?

By the time they reached the rooms, it was as if the whole episode had never happened. Lio's confusion had faded and he was talking lightly about what types of games the Palace had available. "I have been told I am an adequate chess player, and they have a several sets of Mahjong tiles. Of course, there are decks of cards for all types of games…"

"Hush, Lio." Sagon sighed at the wary look that was shot his way. "I just don't feel like any games." Interpreting the disappointment, he added, "At least, not right now. Maybe later, would you like that?"

Lio ducked his head. "Only if you want to, Sagon."

Lio kept his head down, worrying at his lip. Something had happened this morning, and he wasn't sure what it was. But it seemed to have upset Sagon. Suddenly his Master wanted to go back to their rooms. Lio tried to hide his disappointment. He had hoped to be allowed outside for a little while longer. Sometimes, in his room, he looked out of his window and ached to be out among the grass and trees and sunshine.

He thought he might tempt Sagon with a game of some type, anything to prolong the interaction with his Master. But Sagon wasn't interested in games; he seemed distracted by other thoughts.

Lio sighed. He knew the rules. The Masters were not here to entertain the slaves, or even to consider their desires at all. They were here to be taken care of, to have their every need or whim indulged. Even if they wanted to be left alone.

Back in the room, Sagon went into the bathing room to relieve himself. Lio waited patiently for him to come out. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, head bowed subserviently. When Sagon emerged, Lio asked, "Is there anything you want, Sagon? Some juice or a something to eat?"

"I'm not really hungry after that breakfast this morning, Lio. But you send for something if you want. And that's an order." Lio smiled at Sagon's stern voice, reading the concern beneath the words.

"I'm not really hungry, either," he said, watching his Master.

"Lio, I am tired," Sagon admitted. "I think I would just like to lie down for a while."

"Of course," Lio immediately agreed. He moved to undress Sagon, noting that the man's skin already looked better, less sallow and pinched. Almost involuntarily, Lio let his hands run over Sagon's body. Sagon shivered, but did not move away or order Lio to stop.

Lio made his way around in front of Sagon, and began stroking the warrior's chest and shoulders. His gaze alternated between Sagon's trembling body and his face. Lio wanted to make sure this was something Sagon wanted, that he wasn't moving too fast for the man.

Sagon's head was thrown back, eyes closed, and Lio lightly brushed across his dark nipples. Lio reveled in the mature strength of the man. Sagon gasped, bringing his head up and staring intently at Lio. Lio smiled, smoothing his hands down across Sagon's flat stomach, the skin crossed with several scars.

Kneeling down, Lio rubbed and stroked Sagon's lean legs. He knew that Sagon felt old and tired, the result of too much war and his recent injury, but Sagon's body told another story. He was strong and hard as only a warrior could be. Lio felt his own flesh fill and harden as he caressed the other man.

As much as Sagon was enjoying Lio's ministrations, he was still not recovered enough for any further activity. He looked down as he felt Lio take his limp sex in his hand. Lio simply held him as he kissed his flaccid cock, then lowered his head to lick and kiss the balls beneath. Sagon felt himself stir, but didn't fill completely.

Lio raised his head, content with the response he had gotten. He had confirmed that Sagon was still capable, physically. Now it only remained for Lio to ignite the man's desire once again.

Lio stood back up, facing Sagon. Sagon started to apologize, embarrassed by has lack of response. Lio just shook his head and leaned in to kiss the other man. There was noting demanding about the kiss, just a meeting of their lips, a sweet, fleeting pleasure.

When Lio led Sagon over to the bed, Sagon could see the bulge in Lio's pants that told him the young man was fully aroused. Naked, Sagon sat on the bed and looked at Lio. "Take your clothes off," he ordered, in a husky voice.

Lio complied, making a show of pulling the dark green tunic over his head. He swayed some as he stretched his arms up over his head, the tunic still covering his arms. Lio turned slowly, moving his hips sinuously.

When he was back facing Sagon, he took the tunic all the way off and threw it aside. Still moving, swaying slightly in place, he began to move the pants slowly, oh so slowly, down his hips. Finally, his erection sprang free and Sagon caught his breath.

He had thought the boy was beautiful before, but seeing him aroused in all his youthful glory was breathtaking. The boy's rigid penis stood out proudly from his narrow hips, a light dusting of dark hair surrounding it. Beneath it, the balls were clearly defined, full and heavy with desire. Sagon realized that the young man must not have had any relief since Sagon's arrival.

"Touch yourself," he commanded.

Without hesitation, Lio let his scarred right hand drop down and began to stroke his shaft. His head fell back, a low moan issuing from his parted lips. A clear drop of liquid beaded at the tip. With his finger, Lio gathered the drop and brought his hand sensuously to his mouth. His lips pursed as he sucked the finger into his mouth, pushing it in and out a couple of times.

Sagon's breathing became more rapid. He reached down to cup his lax cock, finding comfort in just holding the warm flesh. His eyes glittered as he watched the wanton creature before him swaying and caressing his own cock.

Lio's left hand had moved to fondle his balls, pulling and squeezing as he moaned. Taking his hand from his mouth, he began to pump his shaft, then let his thumb run across the sensitive head and around the rim. He teased and stroked as his cock swelled even further. Lio's head came forward, brows drawn together in a look of intense concentration. He began to gasp as he pumped his flesh faster, bringing himself closer and closer to completion. Sagon saw the full balls draw up.

"Stop!" he demanded.

Lio groaned, trembling as he forced his hands away from himself. He could barely stand, his knees felt weak. His chest, neck and face were flushed, and he was panting harshly. Surely Sagon would not do this, would not allow him to come right to the brink and then order him to stop.

"Come here," Sagon said. With a supreme effort of will, Lio took the three steps necessary to bring him to Sagon.

To his surprise and delight, Sagon reached out to take the hard, aching shaft. "Oh, gods, Sagon. Please," Lio pleaded as Sagon did nothing but hold the throbbing flesh. Slowly, then gaining speed, Sagon began to stroke. Lio had to lean over and brace his hands on Sagon's shoulders to keep his balance. His hips began to thrust as Sagon tightened his grip. Soon, Lio was pumping madly into the heat of Sagon's hand.

"Oh, Master!" Lio gasped as the tension coiled deep in his belly. "I'm cumming! Sagon!" Lio's orgasm blasted through him to land on the hard chest of the warrior who squeezed and milked every drop of his essence from him. Lio collapsed, surprised to find himself caught and held on Sagon's lap.

The warrior easily lifted him and rolled them both over onto the bed. Sagon cradled the young slave's body as he calmed, his breathing settling into a normal rhythm. Lio's eyes met Sagon's, and he smiled. Gods, Sagon thought. That's what I've been waiting for. Sagon smiled back.

Lio squirmed in his grasp, and Sagon let him sit up. Looking down at his Master, still lying on the bed beside him, Lio saw the evidence of his satisfaction still on Sagon's chest and stomach. Lio's eyes glittered as he bent over the prone man and opened his mouth. The pink tongue darted out and began to lap at the cream on his Master's body. Sagon shuddered and groaned.

When Lio was done, he snuggled back down into Sagon's embrace, resting his head on the other man's shoulder. "Thank you, Sagon."

Sagon chuckled. "You're welcome, Lio. And thank you."

"What for?" Lio asked, puzzled.

"For giving me time," Sagon replied. "Taking care of me the way you have. Not pushing me to…"

"Don't worry about it, Sagon. It will come. Just rest." And, obediently, Sagon did.