My lucky number

We had traveled for four days and had only made it up the coast as far as Luna (in Northern Italy). Considering it was summer, and the easiest time of year to travel, the rate at which we made progress was very good.

We stopped near a small stream outside Luna and watered the horses and filled the water skins. Cadmus Brutus and Hin made sure to drink long and deep from the cool, clear water that ran in the stream.

"We should rest for a couple of hours." I told them. "My energy level is low."

"I told you that you should have closed your eyes and rested yesterday (the last time we stopped)." Hin chided me.

"I told you, that I couldn't," I replied tersely, "I had a gut feeling about the location; that there was danger and I needed to keep watch."

What I didn't say to him, was that my feeling was correct. After Hin and Cadmus Brutus fell asleep, I got up and silently snuck around the area. I came across a group of four highway men who were waiting for us all to sleep, so they could have the upper hand when they attacked and robbed us. They never knew what hit them. My anger level was so high, that I unsheathed my demonic fire sword and struck so quietly, swiftly and powerfully that they were all decapitated at once as the huddled together in the bushes. Their bodies fell, still facing the direction that Hin and Cadmus Brutus lay, while their heads rolled a little on the ground, eyes wide with surprise.

'Next time do not mess with low level demons, djinn and horse thieves.' I thought. 'You have chosen unwisely.'

I had made sure to clean my blade off well, using some local foliage, before quietly returning to the others. It was as I had sat down, that Cadmus Brutus stirred. He sat up sleepily, as if checking it was me.

"Ah. You are back." He said.

"Yeah," I replied, "I heard a noise and went to check it out. Turned out to be nothing but hares."

"Those sounded like some pretty big hares." Cadmus Brutus observed in a neutral tone.

I said nothing for a few moments, and then finally, "Go back to sleep. Or else you will be tired tomorrow."

It was after the first forty-eight hours, after our escape without pursuit passed, that we decided it was safe to ride during the day and sleep at night.

… "did you hear what I just said?" Hin asked. "Hello, Cyrus?" He walked closer to me, so he could have an easier time of looking me in the face.

"I'm sorry." I said as he stood directly in front of me. "I…"

"Cyrus?" Hin looked at me very seriously. "Are you ok? One moment, we are having a lively discussion, and the next you look like you are somewhere else in the universe."

"I am just very tired." I quietly told him. "I worry that something will happen when I fall asleep. I keep getting the feeling that there is danger up around the next bend."

"Everything will be ok." He tried to reassure me, as he gave me a hug. "Come on," he let go and took my hand instead. I let Hin lead me over to the base of a young tree. He let go of my hand and sat, with his back against the tree and his legs outstretched. I could see that Cadmus Brutus was securing the reins of a horse to a stronger, larger tree not far away.

"Come sit." Hin invited, patting the ground beside him. "Lay your head in my lap and try and get some sleep."

I sighed, but I knew full well that he was right. I became a cranky, miserable demon when I was very tired.

I lowered my tired form to the ground and lay my head in his lap.

"You know you have two of us keeping watch, right?" he asked. "It is safe for you to sleep. Nothing is going to happen. Even if something went down, I know you would be awake before I even had the chance to give you a shake." He smiled down at me.

I smiled back up at him and playfully touched the tip of his nose with my index finger, which he swatted away in an equally playfully way.

"None of that! You need to sleep and if you are lucky, perhaps you will have some very sinful dreams."

"Mmm." I agreed. "I am sure you are right."

As, it turned out, Hin was right. I am lucky enough to have the ability to remember the things I dream about after I have awoken. The dream was of a memory; the first night I spent with him.

["…that's what you think." I told Hin, as I stepped closer to him. He took a step back and ended up with his back against the wooden bedroom door. Hin's breath came out in a small gasp as he realized he was up against the door and I was between him and the building's exit.

"Cyrus!" he breathed.

"Ssh!" I whispered. His heart was beating fast and loud. He made a move to bolt away from me and run for the front door.

In one swift motion, I grabbed his left wrist with my left hand, and with the grace of a dancer, I opened the door of the bedroom with my right and pulled him back and through the doorway with me. He was off-balance, and I had no intention of letting him fall. I quickly shut the door, and let go of his wrist, opting instead to grab his waist and pull him to me. Hin struggled to get out of my grip.

"Cyrus! Let go of me!" he demanded, attempting to sound angry, and cover up any fear.

"No." I said. "Why so desperate to get away? I haven't even done anything remotely bad yet." I smiled and wrapped my other arm around his chest, further securing my grip on his body. Yet, he still struggled. I took a deep, calming breath. "Hin, would you please stop squirming around?" I asked trying to sound patient.

He made a sound of displeasure at my request. But I honestly couldn't handle the situation, the back of his body pressed against the front of mine…

In a flash decision, I pinned both his arms behind his back so I could hold him away from my body as I marched him towards the bed. I pushed Hin onto the bed and waited for him to roll over onto his back, which he did in the span of a second. I could tell he was planning another escape. I grabbed his right fist as he tried to throw a punch at me. I transitioned my hold, so I had a secure grip on his wrist. A smile of amusement crossed my face. He took the opportunity to give me a punch in the gut with his left hand (which wasn't very effective). I took that hand prisoner as well. I pinned both wrists above his head with one hand and pinned his hips under me.

"Nice try." I told him.

"Cyrus, you idiot!" he said. "Just let me go!"

"Hmm," I said. "Do you feel like making a deal with a demon?" I raised an eyebrow.

His eyes widened.

"When I ask you in ten minutes from now if you really want me to let you go; if you say 'yes', I will back away, and you can leave here freely."

"What?" he exclaimed.

I pulled his clothes away from his stomach to expose bare abs, and ran a finger along, tracing the muscles. Hin squirmed and said only, "Ah!"

"I'll take that as a noise of agreement." I said in a seductive tone.]

"What?" I said in confusion, as I woke up suddenly, launching myself up from Hin's lap. 'What woke me up?' I wondered.