Arcane Mystic

He slept with his king. 

For years, he had the largest crush on Grey and his own desire came to fruition. On one hand, he was on cloud nine. On the other--Gil would ruin him for this. So, rather than feel immensely pleased about it, guilt wracked his thoughts and he was distracted as he wandered outside until he bumped into someone. He lost his footing as a result and clamored to the floor with a resounding oof. 

“Terribly sorry about that...” Dorian murmured as he tried to get back up. 

When they turned down the first hall of the castle, Grey suddenly was on the man, pressing him to the wall. “I can find others to do the task. Would you like to come to my chambers?” he asked boldly.

The entire trek, Dorian had just assumed Grey needed him for something trivial, or even another consultant like Gil had approached him for prior. It never crossed his mind that Grey had other intentions until he was close--so close. Dorian’s words were caught in his throat, stuck as he could feel his king’s warm breath inches from his lips. 

For a moment, the mage sputtered as words escaped him, making him lack eloquence. Swallowing thickly, he mustered a hasty nod to the question without a second thought about Gil at all. Perhaps he was dreaming? Whatever it was, he was not going to turn Gil down.  

“I do not expect you to understand it, that’s why you have me around, after all.” Dorian spoke with a light chuckle. “I would be out of a job otherwise.” For a moment, he locked eyes with Grey and quickly turned away, hoping that his flush was not so evident. He cleared his throat and started to trudge forward. 

“So about that task you wanted me to do?”

Dorian’s heart fluttered at his words. Suddenly Dorian felt as though he was in his youth and it was like the first time he met Grey. Back then it was just a crush and a great bond blossomed between them. Now in his adult years, he lamented over never telling the man his feelings. How could he? He had children, a loving queen, and a whole country to run. 

He certainly didn’t need a mage to wreck it all. Mages already were feared. 

The flattering remark was chased out of his head and he exchanged a sheepish smile with the king. “Initially, yes, since I only knew what was normal. After much teaching, magic is my normalcy. If that makes sense?” 

Dorian hummed in thought at the request. It was not often that his magic was required for such menial tasks, but Grey never really asked for help like that if it wasn’t important. The magician lowered to his feet and brushed himself off quickly. It wasn’t like he had much else to do, he, at least, had a moment’s reprieve. 

“I had been out here long enough for it to benefit me.” he assured him. “Come then, show me what you need done. I’ve been needing a good challenge.”

Dorian carefully reached out to settle a gentle hand on Gil’s shoulder. It was a caring gesture, and Dorian had nothing but respect for the queen. “They will. There is not a doubt in my mind that they will be fine leaders one day.” His gaze moved to watch Gil’s hands idly pick at grass, like he was trying to busy himself. It pleased him greatly to know he was thought of so highly, which was great in this day and age, considering how he knew some mages who were treated more with fear and disdain than respect. 

Dorian only laughed lightly in response. “No no, there is no need to be so apologetic.” He said politely, eyeing the boy for any potential scrapes and nicks he might have to heal. In all seriousness, anytime he was around Eryk, he had to ensure his safety. If Grey wouldn’t kill him for Eryk being injured on his watch, Gil probably would. 

“You’re going to be the end of me with your clumsiness.” he scoffed.

“I speak of what is beyond that wall. You  know he will want. We Shall Conquer. And that he does.” Gil had gotten his husband’s attention by being the best archer in all of Vasill, perhaps even Essen itself. They were warriors at their core.  “He’s such a fiery man. It is what makes him…him.” the queen sighed and laid back in the grass to look at the sky. “You’ve stead us well in all this time. I am glad to have you by our side. In this trying time. I would pick no other mage to aid us.” the Queen held a great deal of power in Vasill, and with power came responsibility  a burden helped by  his husband, and by the man he sat next to. Who on some level he did consider his friend. “Do you think my sons will be able to deal with this kingdom when we are gone?”

Dorian nodded with a fond smile as Gil spoke about his husband. “If our king was not as fiery and passionate as he was, I am not sure Vasill would be the marvelous way it is now and as it will be in the future. He was proud to have served the country well, even if it meant killing whenever was necessary. The question left him pondering a moment, especially since the thought of Gil or Grey being gone was not something he ever wanted to think of. 

“I have been teaching your sons for years. I know they will grow to be great leaders one day.”

“Alas dear Dorian, nobody compares to Grey. Not even myself.” the queen said with a little laugh. He moved to sit in the grass and patted the spot next to him wanting Dorian to take the spot next to him. They could have a moment to themselves perhaps, i the mage didn’t mind it. “I think you are invaluable you know. I’d lose my mind if you weren’t there to balance Grey and I.” he said with a smile. “So. What do you think of the lands my husband turns his eyes to, Dorian?”

The magician knew better than to deny his king’s consort, so he obliged his request by sitting beside him. There was minute space between them, preferring that Gil decide how close he wanted them to be. Dorian did not want to express that he was uncomfortable, especially considering he had been more than a little infatuated with the queen’s husband. How much Gil knew of that, he wasn’t sure, but it was always the mage’s best kept secret. 

Not that he ever acted on those thoughts of his. 

“I am proud to be your adviser.” Dorian said with a fond smile as he looked ahead at the horizon while he thought over Gil’s question. “I am proud of the land he has claimed thus far. I anticipate any future additions Grey may acquire.”

Eryk had to get closer to observe the mage and adviser to his father. that was until tripping on a rock, landing flat on the green ground with a grunt. his eyes quickly jumping up to look at the other.

Try as Eryk might, the clumsy prince was never all that great at sneaking up on the magician. Laughing lightly, Dorian planted his feet on the ground in order to approach Eryk to check on him. “Are you alright? You ought to be careful, rocks tend to be quite the formidable foe.” 

He was jesting, of course, but there was some concern in his tone. After all, he was certain Grey would have his head if something were to happen to Eryk on the mage’s watch. 

“Thank you Dorian.” Gil made the marks necessary on his map humming as he looked over it. “You know. You should take days off. I mean not right now but when you can.” he said with a little smile. Reaching out he stroked the mage’s face gently. He did adore their adviser. Companion to the royal couple for so many years. It was a fondness he didn’t often express being foremost a warrior. But one he held none the less. “You, much like my husband only seem to get more and more handsome as time goes on you know.”

“Perhaps I should.” Dorian usually preferred to work, it kept his mind busy. Even on days where he was hardly doing anything, he sought out Grey’s son to be his tutor. He was never asked to do so, but teaching generally came naturally to the mage. “But I fear the place would fall apart without my assistance sometimes.” Dorian teased as the man reached out to stroke his cheek. The gesture was calming and he did appreciate the compliment, despite how it might sound coming from the queen to the adviser. 

“I am hardly comparable to your husband, you know.” he said with a light laugh. 

“I know you only get seldom few moments to  yourself, and for that I am sorry. But times are dire and our kingdom needs all of us.” Gil moved to Dorian and put an arm around the mage’s shoulders. “I wanted to go over defense plans I have drawn up for the place grounds and the surrounding town. I wanted a second opinion.” Gil was a skilled tactician but he was not one to think his was the only great mind in Vasill. His husband was one, but Dorian was another. “I drew these from the point of view of an archer. Please tell me if there is anything I have over looked.” Gil tended to look high and miss the things right on the ground in front of him, his eagle eyes were aimed high.

Dorian hummed in thought and reached for the plans, scanning through them. Gil was more than thorough when it comes to lining up archers where they would not be anticipated. It was a great strategy to attack without being seen, but often time that left holes on the ground and there were always blind spots for the archers. He pointed to a few key points on his plans. 

“Here, here, and here--it would be wise to have ground patrol or soldiers. Some of the persons in position will be unable to see these points.”

“Dorian.” The consort had gone to find their mage earlier in the day, only to be told he had just left the place that Gil had gone to find him. Slowly the consort was becoming more and more frustrated that their adviser was doing so many things. “I have been chasing your coat tails all morning Dorian. And now it seems I have disturbed you.” He huffed crossing his arms over his chest. “I suppose I should apologize.” which in and of itself as close to a real apology as Gil would give.

The mage cracked open an eye when the king’s consort had begun rambling. He did not dislike the man, but he had a tendency to give him more work than was needed sometimes. Taking a breath, he planted his feet on the ground and righted his clothing. “You needn’t worry, master Gilford.” Dorian said politely. “What do you wish of me?”

The familiar tug through his hair made him let out a pleased sigh. He wished he would not be disturbed, but he knew better than to ignore his kind. Blue eyes opened slowly to gaze back at his awaiting king. “This will do just fine.” Dorian mused with a wry smile. “What can I do for you, my king?” 

His eyes closed and the magician breathed slowly as he focused on his meditation. Slowly, his body lifted so he was levitating a good couple of feet in the air while his mind was adrift. If anyone were to disturb him, he did not make it known.