Teo: *He sat in his tent, trying to think some strategy plans, but his mind was drifting... He was thinking of his son again. Some of his soldiers had seen Young Master McDohl somewhere... Teo had send a few soldiers to look for them, but it had been almost a day now... And he hadn't heard anything new since. He sighed. He called in the officer guarding his tent.* Call Grenseal in here, I need to talk to him about someth... *He was interrupted by a few of his men. They entered the tent, dragging Gremio with them. They informed him that his son and the others got away, but the blond had stopped to protect them and was captured.* Gremio... *He got up and walked to the manservant.* Well well... Now, where are Garrett and the others? You know where he's hiding, so you'd better start talking...

Gremio: *Everything was a bit blurry; he had been hit on the head. But the man who was talking to him... he did recognize the voice.* M...master Teo... *The soldiers who had brought him in the tent let go. He dropped down to his knees, unable to stand. //He wants to know where Young Master is...?// He gulped.* You... want... Young Master? I'm... sorry... I'll rather... die than... tell you...

Teo: Should've guessed... You've always been loyal to my son, and seems that you still are.... *He stood there for a while, thinking. He was determined to get Gremio talking, even if he'd have to hurt him.... He turned to talk to the officer who was still there.* Didn't I tell you to go find Grenseal? Go. *He officer nodded and left. Teo turned back to look at his son's protector.* Hmm... tie him up, and leave. I need to think what to do... *The soldiers who had brought Gremio did as they were told and left. Teo sat back down, his eyes studying the blond manservant.*

Grenseal: *He had been instructing his troop of soldiers when Teo's messenger came to summon him. He nodded and told the men to keep on working on their own. //...What could have happened?// He headed for his master's tent and entered with his usual respectful manner.* Grenseal at your service, Lord Teo. .......!? *His handsome face went rigid in shock when he saw Gremio on the floor, bound and in a disarrayed state. It was obvious that the blond had been captured.* ...... *He swallowed back his comment and regarded Teo.* A prisoner, my lord?

Teo: *He nodded to the knight* Few of my soldiers captured him while chasing my son. It's pretty obvious he knows where Garrett is hiding. And I want that information. Now we need to get him to talk....

Gremio: * //...Grenseal?// The knight had used to be his lover before... certain things had happened. Now, he was an enemy. Loyal to Master Teo, while the manservant was loyal to his Young Master.* Please, Master Teo... I... can't tell you anything... We were running... how should I... know where they... are now? //They got away... I can only hope that they are safe...//

Grenseal: *He still loved Gremio, no matter how their situations had changed. With a calm outlook, he spoke to Teo.* He is merely a servant, Lord Teo. Besides, as he says, I doubt that he would know the whereabouts of Young Master. *However, he knew that Teo would run Gremio through some torture to make sure of that.*

Teo: Maybe that's true... But how can we be sure? *He got up from his chair and moved beside Gremio.* Guess you wouldn't tell... I could just kill you, but... *He frowned, not that interested of the idea. The blond had served his son for years. But... Gremio was a traitor now. So he could surely at least test if he could get the manservant to talk.* Well, I still want to know if I can get you to talk. Take that whip, Grenseal...

Grenseal: *He almost said "no", but that was impossible. He bowed.* As you wish. *Taking up the whip from the rack by the entrance drape, he cracked it once. He knew what was to be done and waited for Teo to give the command. //...Gremio... oh Gods...// He hid his agony well under the poker face.*

Gremio: //Oh... no...// *He closed his eyes. He knew nothing. Nothing of any value... The small party of Young Master McDohl had been attacked by the Imperial soldiers. The boy didn't want to fight, so they had run... But it wasn't enough. So, Gremio had stayed behind to slow them a little. He had said he'd find them later. He had no idea where his Young Master was. All he wanted was that the boy was safe. Master Teo wanted information that he could not give him. //I guess he won't believe me... Please, no, Grenseal...// *

Teo: *He took a few steps to move behind Gremio, and with a few sudden moves he ripped off the green cloak and the blue shirt that the blond was wearing.* You still have a chance to talk, Gremio... *He waited for a while, but as he saw that the manservant wasn't going to say anything, he nodded to Grenseal.*

Grenseal: ......... *He raised the leather whip and brought it down hard upon Gremio's white back. Biting his lower lip, he continued to strike his beloved, seeing the lashes leave vivid red lines over the lovely skin. He didn't want to hurt Gremio... but... //Obligations.// He knew that Gremio would kill him to protect Young Master, should the need arise. Likewise, he knew that /he/ would kill Gremio under Teo's order. It pained him, yet those were the lives they had each chosen. The sound of sharp cracks filled the tent.*

Gremio: Aaaeeeeeeh!! *He cried out from pain. Each hit... It hurt. And it hurt a lot. Where was the Grenseal he had used to know? Well, it was the same old Grenseal, he was just obeying orders. He shivered and fell down on his face, trying to keep from screaming...*

Teo: *He watched for a while, then shook his head. He raised his hand, telling Grenseal to stop.* Enough for a while... Now, Gremio... *He knelt beside the blond.* Still not talking? Guess not... you don't leave me much choice then... *He got up and nodded to Grenseal again, telling him to continue.*

Grenseal: ......Yes, sir. *He brought the thick whip down upon Gremio again, making sharp cracking noises over the soft body. After the fourth hit, the white skin tore and began to bleed at the back. He wanted to stop, to throw down the malicious weapon and heal Gremio's pain, but... //.............// He suppressed his feelings, although his face was starting to turn pale.*

Gremio: *He screamed again... and again, unable to stay quiet. He felt a bit dizzy. His eyesight was blurry, and he could feel the warm blood on his aching back. After the fourth hit, Grenseal paused for a few seconds. //I... please, stop... There's nothing I can tell you...// He took a deep breath.* Pl-please... I... c-can't...

Teo: *He shook his head, then raised his hand again. He was determined to find to out where his son was, but seeing how Gremio started to bleed... It wasn't right. Teo wasn't a man who'd hit his servants. He sighed.* You will speak... I want to know if you're telling the truth... *He turned to the knight* Put that away... I'll think of something else...

Grenseal: *He practically breathed out at the command and rolled up the whip into a coil neatly. He turned back to Teo, wondering what the general would do. Knowing the man's personality, there won't be a worse torture in store. That alone made him feel a little less tense.*

Teo: *His eyes studied the blond manservant for a while. Gremio would talk... sooner or later. He nodded to Grenseal.* Pick him up... I will ask a few questions... //And you /will/ talk, Gremio... Maybe I won't hit you anymore... There are other ways...//

Grenseal: *He slid his arms to Gremio's waist and took a hold of one upper arm. Trying to to be too gentle on the outlook, he considerately hefted the weakened blond up to standing position.*

Teo: ...Gremio... *He looked the blond straight in the eyes sharply.* You can choose now... Talk, and you can go to rest... Don't talk, and you'll suffer more. Understood? Now. Where is my son?

Gremio: I... *He had to close his eyes for a while, then forced himself to open them again. He couldn't stand on his own, so he leaned on the knight. The familiar arms around him... It made him feel a little easier. //Grenseal... if only...// His eyes were full of tears, but he still tried to look at his former master.* I... I am sorry, Master Teo... E-even if I... knew where... Young Master is... I would not... tell you...

Grenseal: *//......Gremio, you are foolish...// He closed his eyes briefly, feeling the weight of his beloved against him. He was sure that Gremio was telling the truth, either way. It was hard to imagine that he would tell the whereabouts of the young McDohl, and from the look on the beautiful face, Grenseal could tell that Gremio didn't know.*

Gremio: *He lowered his head, being too weak to hold it up. //Will they use the whip again...? I don't care. I'll do anything to protect Young Master... even if it kills me.// He closed his eyes again. There was nothing he could do.*

Teo: *He frowned, studying the blond's reactions. He was also starting to feel pretty sure about the fact that the manservant didn't either know anything, or wasn't going to tell, no matter what. It made him angry. //I will break you, Gremio... But... no more beating... How about...// He glanced at the dark-blond knight.* ...Tie him to the bed.

Grenseal: ...Y-Yes, my liege. *He dragged Gremio over to the bed in the tent, which was presumably Teo's. Laying the slender body down, he yanked the limp arms up above the golden head and secured them with a cloth tie decoration on his own uniform. He tied that to the bedpost and stepped back.*

Gremio: *He trembled. Lying like that, on his back... It hurt. //What... now? I...// He felt dizzy again. He was ready to lose consciousness, but... He was sure the general wouldn't let him do that, before getting some more answers. //But I have no answers for you, Master Teo... What am I supposed to do?// *

Teo: *He walked back and forth a while, thinking. He then stopped and touched Gremio's face softly, smiling to himself quite evilly. He knew a very good way to break the manservant. And he wouldn't even have to do it himself, as he could order Grenseal to do it...* Grenseal... Takes off his clothes. And see that he can't move...

Grenseal: ......I-If I may dare inquire, my lord... what will you have me do? *He licked his lips and asked nervously, kneeling by the bed but not making a move just yet. He felt cold in his stomach, for he could guess what Teo wanted him to do.*

Teo: *He looked at the knight angrily, not used to having his knights questioning his orders.* I told you to take off his clothes. Is there a problem, Grenseal? If there is, you can just as well leave...

Gremio: *He swallowed. What did Lord Teo mean by that...? There weren't that many possibilities, really. Just... //Oh my god.... Why? I... don't know anything...// *

Grenseal: ...I... Forgive me, my lord. *He looked down and reached for Gremio. He was well used to touching the beautiful body. His hands undid the dark pants and quickly pulled it down along the milkly legs, letting the freed garment fall to the ground. He ran his hands over the white chest, up to where the golden hair was bound at the nape. He undid the knot of the leather string and let the cascading locks free over the mattress.* ............

Teo: *Smiling in a fashion that wasn't actually normal for him, almost evilly, he knelt beside the bed and touched Gremio's face softly.* Ever been with a man, Gremio...? Probably not... *He lifted his face, turning to look at Grenseal.* Take him. If you have any objections, you can leave. But then I will do it.

Gremio: .... ....! *He wasn't thinking straight, but he could well understand what Master Teo had just ordered. Tears filled his eyes again. Yes, he had been with a man before. With Grenseal... His lover... The one who had once sworn he wouldn't let anything ever hurt him. He knew Grenseal always followed orders. The knight would follow this one, too. //My god...// He shivered even more. He glanced at his former lover. No, the knight would never refuse to follow an order from his lord. Never... Not even now.*

Grenseal: *He paled, his eyes averted from Teo's commanding one. Yet, his body was accustomed to obeying McDohl's orders.* ...As you wish, my liege. *He reached up to the cuffs of his uniform and took off the green jacket, letting it fall to the ground. Not looking directly at Gremio, he sat at the rim of the bed and cupped the fair face. //......Beating you or raping you, I wonder which is worse? .........// He closed his green eyes tightly and wandered his hands down to the blond's chest.*

Teo: *He moved his chair next to the bed and sat down.* What are you waiting, Grenseal? Don't you know how to do that? *He turned to look at the blond manservant.* Last chance, Gremio... If you still refuse to talk.... Well, I'm sure you know what will happen...

Gremio: *He let his body relax on the bed. His back hurt, but he didn't care. What would happen next would hurt more. Last chance... But there was nothing he could tell Master Teo. Nothing at all. The young leader of the Liberation army was probably on his way back to Toran Castle... By now, he was beyond the Imperial Army's reach. They'd never get him. It didn't matter what happened here, as long as the boy was safe... Gremio glanced at the dark-blond knight, then closed his eyes.* I-I'm sorry... but...

Teo: ...if that's your final word, so be it. *He nodded to the knight, telling him to do it.*

Grenseal: ....... *His fingers found Gremio's nipples and pinched at them, even while he closed his eyes still closed. He knew very well what to do. He rolled the small nubs under the balls of his thumbs, lowering his head to kiss Gremio's neck.*

Teo: *He watched the dark-blond knight, waiting what he was going to do next. He didn't actually know that much about men being together, so he just let Grenseal continue what he was doing, not sure if he should tell him to get on with it...*

Gremio: ....? *He kept his eyes closed. He swallowed, trying to keep himself calm. But, that wasn't exactly one of the easiest things to do right now. No, he wasn't panicking. He felt the knight kissing him... That was one of the things he liked. His heart was beating faster now, waiting... for... //...Why is he...? Is Grenseal... trying to make me... want it...? But... What about Master Teo? He's still here...// *

Grenseal: *He was merely unable to bring himself to just take Gremio. He wanted to make love to him like he always did. Sucking gently at the slender throat, he completely straddled the lain blond and slid his right hand down past Gremio's naval. He was aware of Teo's gaze, but orders were orders... or so he told himself.*

Teo: *Watching closely Grenseal's premeditated actions, he raised an eyebrow. //Hmm? Has Grenseal been with a man before... He seems to know what he's doing...// He shifted his position a little, still wondering if the knight should be doing something else already.*

Gremio: *Afraid that Master Teo would interrupt the knight for he was making this pleasurable to the manservant, he gritted his teeth and turned his head, trying to hide his face from the general. He was supposed to suffer, not enjoy. But Grenseal... The knight didn't want to hurt him. Taking a couple of deep breaths, he swallowed again, trying to stay quiet. *

Grenseal: *He moved his hand to Gremio's crotch, touching the limp member with his fingers. He began to caress it, his lips now moving down to suckle on one hardened nipple. He doubted that Teo would stop him, even if Gremio enjoyed this. Bliss and acception were different things, and he also doubted that Gremio really wanted this.*

Gremio: *He gulped. He was shaking once again. //Why is he doing it like this? I don't understand... Why... Why would he want me to enjoy it? Why can't he just... hurt me. It would be... much easier that way.// *

Teo: Hmm? *His eyes studied the knight. He quickly glanced at Gremio's face. The manservant had turned his face away, but seemed pretty passive. //Might just as well ask...//* Grenseal... you seem to know what you're doing. Have you... done this before?

Grenseal: .........Just as a passing fancy, my lord. *He answered quietly, still stroking Gremio's sex with a hand. With a small sigh, he licked his left hand's index finger and slid it down and between Gremio's legs. It seemed that there was no time or leisure to go slow. Either way, he wouldn't make his former lover bleed. He'd done enough of that with the whip already.*

Teo: ...I see... None of my business, really... //Still...// *He nodded slightly, watching as the knight continued. Whatever Grenseal was doing, he did it well. //Perhaps too well. Aren't you supposed to be raping him or something?...//*

Gremio: *He sobbed quietly, hoping that this would be already over. But it had just started... He gasped as he felt the knight's touch. His body reacted the way it had always done when his lover had done this - he spread his legs, pressing his lower body against the pleasing hands. //Oh god...// This wouldn't hurt. He actually wished that it would, because that way, he wouldn't be mortified.*

Grenseal: *He nudged the tip of his finger against Gremio's opening, sliding over the tight folds of muscles gently. He teased there for a while, his other hand skillfully tormenting the half-erect member.* ...Rape is not necessarily painful, Gremio. Don't you think deriving pleasure from something as despicable as this is far more painful to your pride as a man? *He murmured, almost as if to explain to Teo the rationalization of what he was doing. With that, he sank in the index finger into Gremio's tract.*

Teo: *He sat still, watching what the dark-blond knight was doing. //He's probably right... And as long as he knows what he's doing...// Teo, of course, had no idea that Grenseal and Gremio had had a relationship earlier.*

Gremio: Yaah...! *He cried out as the digit invaded him. It didn't cause any pain... Why would it? He was used to being touched by the knight. Grenseal would do it without hurting him... humiliating him in front of his former master. Pride...? At this point, it made no difference. He still loved the swordsman. But he knew he could never be with him... This would surely be the last time they would ever do this. His body wanted it, but not his mind. He wept, wishing that he could get away... Away from the feeling that broke his heart.*

Grenseal: *He leaned down, crooning some incoherent endearment that could be taken as mockery. He licked off the tears from Gremio's cheeks and moved his fingers inside the blond, pressing accurately upon the weakest spot in the lean body. He drew down and took the tip of the fully erected member into his mouth, taking care to hold down both of Gremio's thighs so he couldn't buck away.*

Teo: *He smiled to himself, almost evilly again. What Grenseal was doing looked very interesting... Besides, he had warned Gremio. And the blond still refused to talk... //Well, this should break him....//*

Gremio: *He hated himself for not being able to resist. //No... please no...// Grenseal knew exactly how to please him. He arched, lifting his hips up from the bed.* Aahn... G-Grenseal... *He moaned, unable to control his body.*

Grenseal: Yes, my love? *He mouthed silently against Gremio's member, suckling tenderly upon the tip. He stimulated the sensitive prostate a few more times, then inserted one more finger. Gremio's moans were driving him insane with desire, but they also filled him with weary sadness. If what Teo wished to see was an uninhibited, incoherent Gremio in throes of passion, then he'd show that to his liege. Curling an index finger and thumb about the base of Gremio's erection, he loosely held there, suggesting his next move.*

Gremio: Aaaahhn... *Tears were falling down his face again. There was nothing he could do... His mind had no control over his body. Not that he didn't want Grenseal... But... Not like this. He was ashamed of himself, moaning his lover's name while trembling for the bliss, panting and gasping for breath.*

Teo: *He could see that Gremio was being tortured with the pleasure. //Well, maybe this is working, then...// It felt a bit odd to watch Grenseal touching Gremio like that, but to his surprise, Teo found himself enjoying the view.*

Grenseal: *He tasted a bit of precum from Gremio and smiled. He tightened the curled fingers about the base of the member, not allowing any more dews to be squirted.* ...Lord Teo, do you wish to question him? *He asked quietly, looking at Teo with solemn respect. He knew that Gremio wouldn't break as Teo wished, not from this sort of love-making. The blond would merely be ashamed, and when questioned later, he'd just go back to defying the interrogations. //So you'll have to weep and beg, my love. Lord Teo will have mercy on you if he knows for sure that you are ignorant...// He kept the tight hold on the base and began tonguing the sensitive tip and the tiny indent that had spilled droplets.*

Teo: Maybe... *He leaned closer to the blond and touched the manservant's face gently.* But I guess you're still not talking, eh, Gremio...?

Gremio: ........! *He blinked, a bit shocked from this. Grenseal had never done anything like this before... It was worse torture than the whipping. He had difficulties to get his mind together, so he could reply to the general...* I... aah.. please, don't... Grenseal... I...!! *He mostly whispered, unable to talk aloud. //Oh, no... please... just... kill... me... but... don't... do... this...// *

Grenseal: Answer Lord Teo, Gremio. *He murmured, continuing to suckle gently upon the blond. His fingers glazed against Gremio's inner lining over and over, probably pushing the poor man more and more toward the orgasm. However, release would not be granted until Grenseal saw fit. He only hoped that Teo would give up soon enough* Tell Lord Teo honestly what you know, and I will let you come... It is not a bad deal, is it, Gremio?

Gremio: *Desperately, he tried to breathe... His body was burning inside. He was totally helpless, lost in the bliss. All he could hope for was that he'd lose consciousness - and that was not going to happen, of course. He bit his lip, forcing himself to say something.* But... there... is... Aaahh... nothing... I... can... tell... you.... Oooh, Grenseal... please... stop...

Teo: Nothing... Hmm. *He shook his head, but then sat back in his chair comfortably.* Alright, I'd guess that's really it... *His eyes studies the blond. Gremio sounded so weak and helpless... But the was no point in asking more questions. He knew well enough that the manservant didn't know anything, and to protect the Young Master, he'd rather die than tell... even if he had known something.* Give him his release, Grenseal...

Grenseal: *He nodded to Teo's words and let go of Gremio's member. With gentle lips, he coaxed the blond to release, all the while suckling and thrusting his fingers inside. //...I shouldn't drink it down...// With Teo as audience, he decided not to act too intimately; taking Gremio into his mouth was quite enough. Letting go, he slid up and kissed Gremio's cheek, using his hand to guide his former lover to orgasm.* ...Gremio... *He murmured low*

Gremio: *That was all he needed. He arched his back, beginning to release.* Aaaaaaaaaaaah...!!! Gren... ...seal!!! *He gasped for breath, while sobbing uncontrollably. After he had fully released, he just lied there, still weeping. The way the knight whispered his name... //...Grenseal... Why...// *

Teo: *He grinned to himself, watching as the blond manservant released. //Very interesting... Hmm. Well, that's done now...// He nodded to the knight.* Good... Well. Do you think that's enough for now?

Grenseal: He is weeping, sir... *He answered very flatly, drawing Gremio's pants back up and standing away from the bed. He wiped at the release upon his hand with a handkerchief, though he wanted to lick it away like he always used to.*

Teo: ...I can see that. Hmm. That's probably enough. And I'm convinced now that he doesn't know anything... Well. *He stood up, taking a few steps away from the bed. He stopped to stare at the wall of the tent.* Take him out of here... I don't need him for anything else right now. I have to figure out some other way to find out where my son is...

Gremio: *He rested on the bed, unable to move, while listening to the words of his former master. He felt like he could pass out any minute now... But... //Are they going to let me go? Probably not... They'll send me to Gregminster or use me to get Young Master or something... I won't do it. I'll rather die...// *

Grenseal: As you wish, Lord Teo. *He bowed and tidied himself up before undoing Gremio's bindings. He wagered that the blond wouldn't fight, so he just took the lithe body into his arms and left the tent. Once out, he didn't speak until he was out of other soldiers' eyesight.* ......Gremio, forgive me. *He said softly as soon as they were in the shadows behind the camp.*

Gremio: *He was trembling, unable to do anything. He was tired, and his back hurt. He didn't much care what would happen next. It was over. He opened his eyes slowly and looked at the knight. * ...G-Grenseal... I....

Grenseal: *He couldn't carry Gremio around inside the camp, for the fear of being seen by many others. He let Gremio down to his feet but kept a balancing hold about the lithe waist while he fumbled his uniform pocket for healing scroll. Pulling one out, he applied it to the painfully tattered white back.* I'm sorry... I really am.

Gremio: ......... *He felt the pain ease a little. Leaning on the knight, he breathed peacefully, trying to regain his strength. And waiting... for something to happen. //Grenseal...// *

Grenseal: Gremio... if all comes to all, I will be the one to take your life. I'll see to it... but until such time comes when we can't avoid it, I don't want to see you hurt. *He held Gremio loosely, nuzzling to a scarred cheek.*

Gremio: .... ..... *He took a deep breath, still leaning on his former lover.* I... don't care if... you do it... right away. I'm... not afraid... to die. Whatever... you do... I... will not... help Master Teo. I have to... protect... the Young Master...

Grenseal: I understand that. We have different obligations... *He caressed Gremio's hair.* But perhaps my resolution is not as set as yours... I can't kill you here, Gremio. I cannot... *He sighed and pulled away from the embrace. He had to let Gremio go, and now was the chance* Go, Gremio.

Gremio: ...What? *He looked at the knight, surprised. Grenseal would let him go? What would Master Teo say?* I... Grenseal? *He hesitated, then realized that the knight meant it. He could go.* Grenseal...? I... forgive you... I... *He took another deep breath.* ...Thank you, Grenseal. *He turned and walked away slowly, fearing that someone in the camp would see him... But he was too tired to run. //Grenseal... Whatever happens, I still love you... even if I can never say it to you again... Goodbye, my love.// He glanced behind him quickly, then swept the tears away from his cheeks and walked into the dark night.*

Grenseal: *He stood there watching Gremio become smaller in his field of vision, disappearing into the trees. He'd have to think of some lies to hinder the search, as well as keep Teo from becoming enraged. He wasn't out to save his own self, but he did not want to upset his liege, either. //.......I love you, Gremio. But I... I hope not to see you again for the duration of this war. When we do meet, then I will...// He sighed and closed his eyes, finally turning and going back to the camp. He had to think up of a good lie.*