The Song of Gaál - Five

*** Warning ***

Sensitive situations

Violence; Nudity;

Hard R Rating

Please do not read if you are easily disturbed.

(All characters, places and events reside solely in my imagination.)

The Song of Gaál

…....... Five ….......

Cassava is undoubtedly the favourite pet of the Mistress of Castle Sotete. At almost nine years old, he has been in the service of the Mistress for three full years.    

He cannot recall his village and has no memory of a mother, a father, siblings. The nights of music stopped long ago, after the musician, Kisertet, expressed his distaste with Malika's actions. Cassava sees Kisertet at times within the castle, and sometimes their eyes meet, though Cassava quickly looks away from the intensity in Kisertet's face, his cheeks turned to hot flame.

Levente Tolvaj, even with an addled, irrational mind, is aware of Malika's infatuation with the dark haired boy and it infuriates him. Levente ensures he has plenty of opportunity to slap the face he despises. Unlike Malika, Levente does not need a wrong doing to justify the punishment. Cassava's existence is enough. Levente grows increasingly weary of seeing the boy in Malika's bedchamber nightly. He demands access to her bed more and more frequently. During one such visit, Levente stays the night.  

Cassava, shivering with fright and cold, lay curled tightly within his bedding below the window in Mistress' chamber. He wrapped his arms close to his chest, covering his ears with his hands in a failed attempt to block the sounds dropping down from the bed. He did not realise he slept until he was shocked awake by searing, blinding pain in his groin, a deep gravely voice bellowing into his ear and spittle hitting his face.   

  

Frozen in fear, a cry caught in his throat, Cassava shook with horror as Master pulled him up roughly from the floor. Levente ripped Cassava's pant from him, exposing the flesh to the cold room and displaying the softening erection. The boy stood in the predawn gloom, his head lowered in shame, his hair fallen about his face, hiding the burning red that scorched his cheeks.

Levente demands that Cassava be moved to the cellars immediately. He was no longer a boy and Levente refuses to allow Cassava in the same bed as Malika from this day forward.

Cassava's bed in the cellar is nothing more than a pile of discarded quilts. He comes to cherish the time alone and sighs relief when he hears Mistress pull the wood deadbolt through its channels and move away from the door.

With one candle for light and no windows, Cassava finds himself in the dark more often than not. He listens to the sounds of the castle around him and believes he can hear more now than ever before. In his attempts to forget the activities of the day, he turns to remembering the musician's fingers on the harp, hearing the soft, deep voice telling tales of sirens, great Kings and hard battles.

With his eyes closed to the dark room, he sees the tall man, Kisertet, sitting with a lute, caressing the strings to delightful melody, until Kisertet's eyes meet Cassava's and Cassava opens his eyes to the darkness of his room, banishing the memory. Kisertet's stormy, blue eyes always reflected a gleam that peered into Cassava's soul and Cassava feared the man would see the wickedness deep inside of him. 

The thought of Kisertet's eyes filled with hatred toward him upset Cassava immensely. Within his heart, Cassava longed to see Kisertet again, to hear the songs again, to watch the music unfold on Kisertet's face. Cassava would dig his nails into his arms until he had four points of blood and the pain broke his thoughts to stop his useless wishes and longings.

*****     *****     *****

While standing near Malika for credence while she dined, Cassava listened as Levente discussed his plans to travel to Ejszaka, a land to the east of Castle Sotete. 

Malika's foul mood worsened when Levente informed her that she would travel with him and her pet, he said with a snarling glance at Cassava, would stay at Sotete. Malika argued animatedly and was quieted by a steely look from Levente. “It is decided and it is final!” Levente roared as he slid the chair back and stormed from the dining hall.

Malika turned to Kisertet who sat impassively, eating his dinner. “You will stay.” She stated, receiving a raised brow from Kisertet. “You must stay here, Kisertet. 'Sava must be watched,” her hard eyes turned to Cassava, “he is a mischievous villain and cannot be left alone with no guardian other than Jaszef.” she continued, looking at Kisertet again.

“Jaszef is a fine guardian. The boy can learn to ride while ...”

“No!” Malika bellowed, cutting off Kisertet's words and half rising from her seat. Kisertet pursed his lips and templed his hands to his mouth, watching as Malika settled back in her chair. “No,” she said in a calmer voice. “Jaszef is just a stable man, and too soft with the boy Malek. Cassava needs a strong hand to keep him obedient. You must stay, Kisertet. There simply is no other option.”