Labyrinth

“Come now, I know there must be a price.” The general placed his wine cup on the taboret next to the marble bench and looked scoffingly at the governor seated on the other bench. Both were looking out into the grassed courtyard, where the beautiful young and small blond man was reclining on the lip of a fountain, his back leaning on a gargoyle spouting water, and strumming a lute. The young man was naked except for a stark-white loin cloth and sandals that rose in criss-crossed leather straps up his finely sculpted calves, as he was taking in the sun’s rays. The whiteness of the cloth emphasized the deep tan of his lithe torso and legs. From where the two leaders were sitting, it looked like the sun’s rays radiated from his perfectly formed body and lit up the whole world. Off on the other side of the courtyard sat a middle-aged woman of both regal and attentive bearing, who was clearly keeping a watchful eye on the young man and a vigilant eye on the general and the governor as well.

“It isn’t as easy to shop for a prince as for a serving man,” the governor murmured. “Young Nyke there is an institution—a near god—in the land of Phitio. He is here for safety because the main island of Phitio is under siege from the Cenopolis forces. I am sure he would be highly decorative at your court in Brixia, but Nyke is not just the crown prince’s brother, he is our golden priest as well. He serves a function in the ceremonial succession in Phitio, and as the king’s time seems near, Nyke must be preserved to that day at all costs.”

“It is for nothing ceremonial that I want the lad,” said General Lykaios. And as he did so, he parted his robe to show the governor his need. “You know what I want of him. You guarantee he is a virgin?”

“Yes, of course he is still a virgin. That too is decreed in our customs. But, please, you must cover yourself, General. By all means don’t let the harridan over there see you exposed thus for the young man. That is the young prince’s mother, the second queen, although she continually declares she is first queen and that the mother of the crown prince has hidden the time of her own birthing so that her son will be recognized as in ascendance. You simply cannot understand how delicate these matters are in Phitio at this time—none of which is helped by being under siege by Cenopolis. Perhaps we need to turn to the discussions that brought your delegation here, General—discussions on what Brixia can do to help turn back—or, better yet, defeat—the forces of Cenopolis.”

“You intrigue me,” Lykaios said, ignoring the governor’s attempt to turn the conversation. “What is it about this young prince that makes you reticent about giving me access—for a price? You have said the prince is still a virgin. That’s hard to believe, given his age and beauty, and having been given into your hands. I saw you debauch two young lads last evening.”

“Prince Nyke is the Golden Priest. He must be at the king’s burial ceremony as a virgin.”

Lykaios gave the governor a gaze of noncomprehension.

“It is how we solidify our succession in Phitio. There are only two recognized sons of the king—the crown prince and the second son, Prince Nyke, although there is an undercurrent of support for Prince Nyke as the first son. To maintain loyalty and cut off any possibility of disunity in our multi-island nation, when the crown prince attends his inauguration as king, he must stand alone in the succession.”

“You mean?—”

“Yes, the ceremony of succession includes the sacrifice of all Golden Priests. And they depart this life as virgins—known neither by woman nor man. That keeps the succession pure and the possibility of bastard sons here and about unlikely. And now, shall we move into the palace and begin our talks on the mutual benefit of neutralizing Cenopolis?”

“Not until we talk about the price for Prince Nyke. I know you must have your price, and I know you are clever enough to find the way. If you are just going to waste luscious sweet meat like that, who needs to know whether he went to his death a virgin or not?